Check the scales: Researchers in India have found fossils of an ancient giant snake that could have been longer than a school bus. Researchers estimate the snake stretched an estimated 36 to 50 feet and it could have weighed up to a ton. apne.ws/v2LFL8C

Shoe salute: San Diego Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. plans to unveil 50 pairs of custom cleats this season, including odes to Padres great Tony Gwynn, basketball star Stephen Curry and military veterans. apne.ws/Fqc9Ssz

On their toes: Hundreds of young dancers in white tutus and tightly coiffed hair gathered in New York’s Plaza Hotel to break the world record for dancing on pointe in one place.“353, that is a new Guinness world record! Congratulations!” apne.ws/Oj4T8BO

Multi-tusking: A vehicle backfiring spooked a circus elephant while she was getting a pre-show bath in Montana, leading the pachyderm to break through a fence and take a walk, stopping traffic. She was corralled and was able to perform that evening. apne.ws/h2WYBa1

An endangered Bornean orangutan baby has been welcomed into the world at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in Florida. apne.ws/1iQlQ0S

It's bean quite a while: That cup of java you drank this morning is very old. Using genes from coffee plants around the world, researchers built a family tree for “arabica” and found it emerged around 600,000 years ago through natural crossbreeding. apne.ws/CpfXsDx

A tale that will octopi your heart: An Oklahoma father helped his son realize his dream of owning a pet octopus, helping him adopt the creature and setting it up in a aquarium at their home. Their saga has attracted hundreds of thousands of followers. apne.ws/lWkC24Z

Kong-gratulations: Berlin’s zoo is celebrating the 67th birthday of Fatou the gorilla, its oldest resident, who it believes is also the oldest gorilla in the world. apne.ws/PgYmwgZ

Many kids in Poland are rejoicing over strict limits imposed by the government on the amount of homework. Teachers and parents aren’t so sure. apne.ws/vbylj5V

What do you propose? College students are flocking to the Marriage Pact, a matching ritual now popular on nearly 90 U.S. college campuses. One of the students who came up with the pact said 'surely there’s someone who is a good backup plan for you.” apne.ws/Wo3dkDa

Time to shell-ebrate: Myrtle, an ancient green sea turtle that has delighted visitors to the New England Aquarium in Boston for more than 50 years, is in good physical shape. Myrtle, thought to be as many as 95-years old, passed another annual physical. apne.ws/MfaVS3a

We goat this: An escaped mountain goat that somehow got stuck under a Kansas City bridge has survived a rocky rescue effort and now may be reunited with the owners who suspect he was stolen from their farm. “Forget a solar eclipse. We were on goat watch.” apne.ws/9xLN7pe

Howl you doin’? Istanbul Airport has made five new hires to provide a stress-free travel experience for anxious passengers: therapy dogs that are ready to offer support with snuggles, belly rubs and sloppy kisses. apne.ws/Dj7g2yH

Meow you’re talking! Feral cats have long wandered the gardens and elegant halls of the presidential palace in Mexico. The 19 felines made history when the government of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador declared them to be “living fixed assets.” apne.ws/6cTWzBY

The world’s oldest man says the secret to his long life is luck, moderation — and fish and chips every Friday. At 111 years old, Englishman John Alfred Tinniswood has been confirmed as the new holder of the title by Guinness World Records. apne.ws/klPbmoG

Jersey Shore beach season is almost here, and if last year is any indication, it will soon be time to pack the voodoo dolls, whoopie cushions and denture powder. Those were just a few of the bizarre items plucked from New Jersey's beaches last year. apne.ws/1tciAxs

Ruffing it: A dog missing in California since the summer turned up more than 2,000 miles away in Michigan. apne.ws/mnCOjyY

How I wonder what you are: NASA says it’s investigating whether an object that crashed into the roof of a home in southwest Florida last month came from the international space station. The cylindrical-shaped object weighed nearly two pounds. apne.ws/W2vSc5k

RATical move: New research suggests that brown rats crawled off ships earlier than previously thought and quickly out-competed rival black rats to take over North American cities. apne.ws/zK3huAw

Time consuming: NASA wants to come up with a final plan by 2026 for a new souped-up clock for the moon. There's less gravity on the moon, time there moves a tad quicker — 58.7 microseconds every day — compared to Earth. apne.ws/65i8eNf