Stone selection by wild chimpanzees shares patterns with Oldowan hominins
(sciencedirect.com)
The use of broad tool repertoires to increase dietary flexibility through extractive foraging behaviors is shared by humans and their closest living relatives (chimpanzees, Pan troglodytes).
The use of broad tool repertoires to increase dietary flexibility through extractive foraging behaviors is shared by humans and their closest living relatives (chimpanzees, Pan troglodytes).
Ants prove superior to humans in group problem-solving maze experiment
(phys.org)
Anyone who has dealt with ants in the kitchen knows that ants are highly social creatures; it's rare to see one alone. Humans are social creatures too, even if some of us enjoy solitude. Ants and humans are also the only creatures in nature that consistently cooperate while transporting large loads that greatly exceed their own dimensions.
Anyone who has dealt with ants in the kitchen knows that ants are highly social creatures; it's rare to see one alone. Humans are social creatures too, even if some of us enjoy solitude. Ants and humans are also the only creatures in nature that consistently cooperate while transporting large loads that greatly exceed their own dimensions.
AI Decodes the Calls of the Wild
(nature.com)
Listening to sperm whales has taught Shane Gero the importance of seeing the animals he studies as individuals, each with a unique history.
Listening to sperm whales has taught Shane Gero the importance of seeing the animals he studies as individuals, each with a unique history.
Squirrels hunting and eating meat
(gizmodo.com)
When you think of squirrels, you probably imagine cute, fluffy-tailed rodents stuffing their faces with nuts. This past summer, however, researchers photographed California ground squirrels viciously digging into rodent flesh.
When you think of squirrels, you probably imagine cute, fluffy-tailed rodents stuffing their faces with nuts. This past summer, however, researchers photographed California ground squirrels viciously digging into rodent flesh.
Why do animals adopt?
(nautil.us)
Taking responsibility for another’s young reveals the deep evolutionary roots of care.
Taking responsibility for another’s young reveals the deep evolutionary roots of care.
Monkeys Can Predict Election Outcomes
(stevestewartwilliams.com)
This is insane: New research suggests that monkeys can accurately predict U.S. election outcomes. According to a fascinating preprint by researchers Yaoguang Jiang, Annamarie Huttunen, Naz Belkaya, and Michael Platt, our furry primate cousins have an uncanny knack for forecasting which candidates will win, simply by looking at their faces.
This is insane: New research suggests that monkeys can accurately predict U.S. election outcomes. According to a fascinating preprint by researchers Yaoguang Jiang, Annamarie Huttunen, Naz Belkaya, and Michael Platt, our furry primate cousins have an uncanny knack for forecasting which candidates will win, simply by looking at their faces.
I taught rats to drive a car, and it may help us lead happier lives
(bbc.com)
Teaching rats to drive a tiny car around a laboratory had some far-reaching effects – it taught scientists a lot about the benefits of anticipating the joy brought by the things we love.
Teaching rats to drive a tiny car around a laboratory had some far-reaching effects – it taught scientists a lot about the benefits of anticipating the joy brought by the things we love.
Unique killer whale pod may have acquired special skills to hunt whale sharks
(phys.org)
Killer whales can feed on marine mammals, turtles, and fish. In the Gulf of California, a pod might have picked up new skills that help them hunt whale sharks—the world's largest fish, growing up to 18 meters long.
Killer whales can feed on marine mammals, turtles, and fish. In the Gulf of California, a pod might have picked up new skills that help them hunt whale sharks—the world's largest fish, growing up to 18 meters long.
Vasopressin boosts sociability in solitary monkeys
(thetransmitter.org)
When monkeys that avoid social interactions inhale the hormone vasopressin, their sociability improves, a new study finds.
When monkeys that avoid social interactions inhale the hormone vasopressin, their sociability improves, a new study finds.
Rats learned to drive
(theconversation.com)
Rats will choose to take a longer route if it means they get to enjoy the ride to their destination.
Rats will choose to take a longer route if it means they get to enjoy the ride to their destination.
The Argonaut Octopus Has Mastered the Free Ride
(defector.com)
In 2019, the photographer Harris Narainen had just wrapped up a night dive off Anilao in the Philippines and begun his staggered ascent to the surface when his dive leader pointed a flashlight at something bright and yellow.
In 2019, the photographer Harris Narainen had just wrapped up a night dive off Anilao in the Philippines and begun his staggered ascent to the surface when his dive leader pointed a flashlight at something bright and yellow.
Long-term tracking of social structure in groups of rats
(nature.com)
Rodents serve as an important model for examining both individual and collective behavior. Dominance within rodent social structures can determine access to critical resources, such as food and mating opportunities. Yet, many aspects of the intricate interplay between individual behaviors and the resulting group social hierarchy, especially its evolution over time, remain unexplored.
Rodents serve as an important model for examining both individual and collective behavior. Dominance within rodent social structures can determine access to critical resources, such as food and mating opportunities. Yet, many aspects of the intricate interplay between individual behaviors and the resulting group social hierarchy, especially its evolution over time, remain unexplored.
The role of cat eye narrowing movements in cat–human communication
(nature.com)
Domestic animals are sensitive to human cues that facilitate inter-specific communication, including cues to emotional state.
Domestic animals are sensitive to human cues that facilitate inter-specific communication, including cues to emotional state.
Scientists working to decode birdsong
(newyorker.com)
On a drizzly day in Grünau im Almtal, Austria, a gaggle of greylag geese shared a peaceful moment on a grassy field near a stream.
On a drizzly day in Grünau im Almtal, Austria, a gaggle of greylag geese shared a peaceful moment on a grassy field near a stream.
Bumblebee queens choose to hibernate in pesticide-contaminated soil
(phys.org)
An alarming discovery from University of Guelph researchers raises concerns for bumblebee health, survival and reproduction.
An alarming discovery from University of Guelph researchers raises concerns for bumblebee health, survival and reproduction.
Rodents remotely move matter using sound to enhance their sense of smell: study
(buffalo.edu)
Scientists have debated the purpose of the ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) produced by rodents since the discovery of these sounds in the 1950s.
Scientists have debated the purpose of the ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) produced by rodents since the discovery of these sounds in the 1950s.
Octopuses and fish join forces to hunt, and discipline those who freeload
(npr.org)
Octopuses and fish join forces to hunt, and discipline those who freeload
Octopuses and fish join forces to hunt, and discipline those who freeload
Sea robins use leg-like fins to taste, navigate seafloor, researchers discover
(phys.org)
Sea robins are ocean fish particularly suited to their bottom-dwelling lifestyle.
Sea robins are ocean fish particularly suited to their bottom-dwelling lifestyle.
Octopuses seen hunting together with fish
(nbcnews.com)
Octopuses don’t always hunt alone — but their partners aren’t who you’d expect.
Octopuses don’t always hunt alone — but their partners aren’t who you’d expect.
Do Animals Know That They Will Die?
(theatlantic.com)
Moni the chimpanzee was still new to the Dutch zoo when she lost her baby.
Moni the chimpanzee was still new to the Dutch zoo when she lost her baby.