These are our favorite animal stories of 2024

Pigeons that do somersaults, snakes that fake death with extra flair and surprised canines are among the organisms that enthralled the Science News staff.

A beluga whale looks toward the camera, its forehead bulging out prominently

Beluga whales like this one at Connecticut’s Mystic Aquarium sport a blob of forehead fat called a “melon.” The cetaceans contort the melon into different shapes, possibly to communicate with each other.

Paul Souders/Getty Images

From superpowered bees to theatrical snakes, these reports from the animal kingdom drove us wild in 2024.

Mighty morphin’ beluga blobs

You can learn a lot about a beluga (Delphinapterus leucas) by watching its forehead.