Royal python snake found on toilet seat in Scotland!

This snake caused a big shock when a couple found it wrapped around their toilet seat at home in Scotland!

They contacted the Scottish SPCA, who rescued the wriggly reptile and nicknamed her Lulu.

The charity reckons the snake escaped from a neighbour and slithered in through a gap in the wall by the toilet pipe.

Lulu is now being cared for while she waits to be reunited with her owner.

Scottish SPCA Chief Inspector Fiona Henderson said: "She's in good body condition and well fed, so we're sure someone is missing her.

"Pythons are generally known for their placid nature and relatively small size, so although they can look a bit scary, they aren't dangerous."

From CBBC News-Animals

Parrot chicks rescued from poachers in Brazil

Poor creatures, so cute!

So far this year police in Brazil have rescued almost 14,000 illegally captured wild animals.

Poaching, which means illegally taking animals from the wild, is a big problem in the country.

The parrot chicks in this video were stolen from their nests.

Had they not been found by police they could have ended up in cages to be sold on as pets.

The period from September to December is the busiest time for officers, as it's breeding season for macaws and parrots who leave their eggs and young offspring vulnerable to poachers.

The parrot chicks are now being fed and cared for at a wildlife centre in Sao Paulo, before hopefully being returned to the wild.

From CBBC News

Superman tops 'greatest' sci-fi character poll

Superman has been named the greatest science-fiction character of all time.

The Man of Steel, played by Christopher Reeve, topped a survey of 2,000 British people by a game company.

Star Wars' Yoda came third

Second and third places went to two Stars Wars characters - Han Solo and Jedi master Yoda.

Eight Doctor Who characters made the list, with Daleks most popular at number 13. Matt Smith's Doctor came 31st - beaten by David Tennant's Doctor at number 20.

There have been five Superman films. Christopher Reeve played the hero in first four and Brandon Routh starred in the fifth.

The next one, Man of Steel, is due out next year. British actor Henry Cavill will take the lead role.

The survey was done to mark the launch of new game Stratego Sci-Fi.

From CBBC News- Entertainment

Obama wins second term

CONGRATULATIONS MR OBAMA!

Barack Hussein Obama was re-elected president of the United States on Tuesday, overcoming powerful economic headwinds, a lock-step resistance to his agenda by Republicans in Congress and an unprecedented torrent of advertising as a divided nation voted to give him more time.

In defeating Mitt Romney, the president carried Colorado, Iowa, Ohio, New Hampshire, Virginia and Wisconsin, a near sweep of the battleground states, and was holding a narrow advantage in Florida. The path to victory for Mr. Romney narrowed as the night wore along, with Mr. Obama winning at least 303 electoral votes.

From The New York Times

Cockatoo Figaro, the first parrot to make and use tools

Just amazing!

Birds might have a reputation for having small brains, but this is one cockatoo who is cleverer than the rest!

Figaro, the goffin cockatoo, has learnt to make and use tools all on his own.

He's really impressed animal behaviour experts in Austria, who say it's the first time they've seen a parrot do anything like it.

Figaro breaks off splinters from a wooden beam with his beak and uses them to reach nuts on the other side of his cage.

Other types of birds such as crows and jays are already known to make and use stick tools.

According to scientists, though, Figaro is the only one of his kind to show the skill.

He's not just a pretty boy then!

From CBBC News

One Direction get puppy love for magazine cover shoot

The One Direction boys could be kept Pup All Night with this lot!

It's a close call, but who do you think is cuter - boy band One Direction or this bunch of adorable labrador pups?

Well, now you can have both.

The 1D boys have been getting cosy with trainee guide dogs for the cover of Wonderland magazine, in one of the cutest photo shoots ever.

The puppies were brought in by Guide Dogs, a charity that breeds and trains puppies to become guide dogs for blind and partially sighted people.

'Stupid, immature and quirky'

In an interview for the magazine, the band were asked what they think about their global success.

Harry Styles would to take this little fella home if he could

"The main thing is that we've just kind of been ourselves," says Liam Payne, "that's what people like."

His bandmate Louis Tomlinson agreed: "With previous boy bands, I think they felt they had to meet a stereotype."

"We're just ourselves: stupid, immature and quirky."

From CBBC Newsround 

Mercury City beats Shard to Europe's tallest building

The Mercury City in Moscow

London's Shard skyscraper has lost its title as Europe's tallest building - to a tower in Moscow, Russia.

Developers of Mercury City said on Thursday their creation had topped a height of 338 metres - beating the Shard's 310 metres

The Shard was officialy opened in July

The copper-coloured high-rise will be a mix of offices and homes when it's completed early next year.But it looks set to be overtaken by the Federation Tower, also in Moscow.That should hit 506 metres when it's finished sometime next year.

The view from the Shard's 69th floor

Details of a 360-degree viewing platform on level 69 of the Shard were revealed last week. It's due to open in February.

From CBBC News