Despite their name meaning "thousand feet," millipedes actually have varying leg counts, from under a hundred to several hundred, depending on their body segments. They are born with just three pairs of legs, growing more throughout their lives.

Fossil evidence suggests millipedes were among the first air-breathing animals to transition from ocean to land. Male millipedes possess specialized "gonopods"—modified legs used for sperm transfer.

Florida Key deer, tiny creatures about the size of a medium dog, face a critical threat. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service plans to remove their Endangered Species Act protection.

The Center is committed to fighting this decision. You can learn more and see these deer in our new video on Facebook or YouTube.

Rare winter snowfall recently hit parts of Australia, causing flight cancellations and power outages for approximately 10,000 homes.

Despite the disruption, the country's kangaroos seemed delighted. A joyous herd was observed bouncing through the unexpected winter wonderland.

In the latest Border Views video, the Center's Laiken Jordahl explores Arizona's Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. This vital national monument faces an imminent threat.

It is poised to become one of the first wild places permanently scarred by the Trump administration's border wall. We must act to prevent its construction and protect this irreplaceable natural area.

The world's oceans are already drowning in plastic trash. Instead of stemming this pollution, plastic manufacturers aim to dramatically increase U.S. plastic production over the next decade.

Take action: https://biodiv.us/2K38a81

The future of America's wolves is currently at stake. A plan by the Trump administration proposes removing endangered species protections for nearly all wolves in the lower 48 states. This action would lead to widespread persecution, trapping, and killing of these animals.

Learn more about this critical issue and its potential impact on wolf populations: biologicaldiversity.org/campaigns/gray_wolves

A massive school of cownose rays, also known as a "fever," has been observed.

These rays were seen cruising the coast of Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia.

On May 14th, nearly a million comments were delivered to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, opposing a plan to strip federal protection from most wolves in the lower 48 states. This initial action marks the beginning of our ongoing fight.

Join us to save America's wolves. Tell the administration you oppose this deadly plan and help protect these vital animals. Act now: https://biodiv.us/2HwVvIT

Blue morpho butterflies exhibit iridescent blue wings, surprisingly without any blue pigment. Their vibrant color is not due to pigmentation.

Instead, tiny scales on their wings feature intricate ridges and ribs. These nanoscale structures manipulate light through physics, reflecting only brilliant blue hues.

Male mountain lions create scrapes—mounds of dirt, urine, and scat—that serve as vital communication tools. These scrapes function like a dating profile; if a breeding-ready female encounters a male's pile, she may urinate on it, signaling her presence and willingness to mate.

Beyond mating signals, scrapes also mark the boundaries of a male cougar's territory. By advertising his dominance in a specific area, the male aims to limit confrontations with other males, effectively asserting his presence and control.

Emperor penguin populations are plummeting, with the colony featured in "March of the Penguins" already declining by over 50%. This drastic reduction highlights the severe impacts of climate change and the ongoing mass extinction crisis.

We are taking legal action against the Trump administration for its failure to consider Endangered Species Act protection for these penguins.

Learn more about the mass extinction crisis: biodiv.us/ExtinctionCrisis

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers recently herded an endangered Florida panther to safety. Body-camera footage showed agents discovering the panther trapped between a highway and a wildlife refuge. They temporarily shut down the highway, then used their bodies, a truck, and calls to guide the cat through a fence opening into the refuge.

This rescue underscores the threats panthers face. In 2018, Florida reported 30 panther deaths, with 26 attributed to vehicle strikes.

Grammy-winning artist Esperanza Spalding and the Center for Biological Diversity presented a live performance and conversation dedicated to saving America's wolves. This event aimed to raise awareness and inspire action against threats to these vital species.

Originally streamed live on Facebook on April 22, 2019, the initiative urged participants to fight plans to strip wolves of their endangered species protection. Take action and ignite change at saveourwolves.org.

Plastic pollution overwhelms our oceans. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, if a country, would rank as the world's 19th largest.

Explore its immense scale and compare it to other regions using our interactive map: https://biodiv.us/GreatPacificGarbagePatch.

The first 20 miles of Trump's border wall have been constructed in New Mexico. This initial section was built using 2018 congressional funding, despite a 2019 government shutdown over wall appropriations.

Future wall construction is slated for Texas and California.

Urge Congress to deny further funding for this destructive border wall: https://bit.ly/2Gv75pi

Center staff recently visited the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve near Mexico City, witnessing millions of eastern monarchs overwintering. These butterflies are now stirring, preparing for their great migration in March.

The annual count revealed an astounding 225 million monarchs, a 144% increase from last year and the highest since 2006, largely due to favorable weather. This breathtaking sight moves many to tears.

Despite this increase, continued existence requires more protection for these migratory wonders and their habitats from pesticides, climate change, and destruction. Witnessing this spectacle strengthens our resolve to save them.

Last Saturday, 30,000 people marched in California, calling on Governor Jerry Brown to protect communities and lead a just transition away from climate-damaging drilling.

Join us this Thursday for #BrownsLastChance to keep fossil fuels in the ground. Learn more and participate here: http://brownslastchance.org/sept13/

Witness the remarkable growth of Monsoon, an adorable black bear cub, in the beautiful U.S.-Mexico borderlands. Over 15 months, the Center’s critter cams documented Monsoon's journey from a 2-month-old cub, secure with its mother, to a fully independent yearling.

The borderlands reveal a surprising diversity of wildlife sharing Monsoon's habitat. Neighbors include cacti, coatis, coyotes, bats, pumas, and even a jaguar, showcasing the rich ecosystem of this unique region.