The deep sea creature swam around Toyama harbour for several hours.
IBTimes UK looks at our favourite new species discovered in 2015.
Severe weather warnings were in force in many states in central US while emergency was declared in New Mexico.
Tornadoes and severe storms killed people across Mississippi, Tennessee and Arkansas.
A seven-year-old boy was among those killed in Mississippi.
Researchers found how tardigrades go without water for so long - their proteins transform into glass.
Lion populations have plummeted by almost 43% in the last 20 years.
Experts say it is unusual that a whale could get so close to the Texas shore
Only reindeer could guide Father Christmas through the night - and Rudolph is key to their journey.
Shark jumps on surfer's board in incident described by lifeguards as near-miss.
Sacha Dench is set to fly from Russia to Britain to chart the migratory behaviour of UK swans.
Scientists have mapped wild bee population decline in the US, and it's not pretty viewing.
Two species of sea snake have been spotted in Western Australia, even though they were thought to be extinct.
There are just days left to enter the world's largest photography competition.
Australian bushfires destroyed homes with one resident saying he felt lucky to be alive.
Humans disrupted the natural balance between pairs of animal and plant species 60,000 years ago.
Model shows pest-control could save Darwin's finches from extinction.
The cub was born in August in the National Zoo in Washington DC.
Getting giant pandas to mate is notoriously difficult – so giving them a choice of partners is the way forward.
Zoo gave the great apes presents filled with their favourite snacks.
After the fork was removed, the turtle paused for a few moments but then quickly began to move back to the ocean.
Dogs plunge their tongues into water then retract them so a column of water raises into their mouths.
Blue-banded bee can head-bang at 350 times per second.
IBTimes UK brings you a gallery of the best monkey pictures.
World Monkey Day is observed on 14 December to celebrate non-human primates.
Dozens of new beetle species discovered on Maui Island volcano show speedy evolution.
Golden eagles of Norway are posing a threat to the country's reindeer population.
Experts say placeholder technique to prevent red wolves from being wiped out is helping.
Timur the goat and Amur the tiger are almost inseparable as they rest together in the same shelter.
WCS footage shows rehabilitated tiger cub with her two cubs.