Dolphins Communicate with 'Fountains of Pee'
(scientificamerican.com)
Humans typically consider peeing a private act. But for many animals, it’s a crucial way to share information—one that goes way beyond simply marking territory.
Humans typically consider peeing a private act. But for many animals, it’s a crucial way to share information—one that goes way beyond simply marking territory.
Why Some Animals Live for Only Days and Others Live for Thousands of Years
(scientificamerican.com)
Florida’s Department of Education has approved classroom use of videos that spout climate disinformation and distort climate science
Florida’s Department of Education has approved classroom use of videos that spout climate disinformation and distort climate science
Hooded pitohui, one of the only toxic birds
(australiangeographic.com.au)
This is one of the only known birds to be toxic. Its feathers contain one of the most potent toxins known to science – but why?
This is one of the only known birds to be toxic. Its feathers contain one of the most potent toxins known to science – but why?
Tapeworm in fox poop that will slowly destroy your organs is on the rise
(arstechnica.com)
No matter how bad things might seem, at least you haven't accidentally eaten fox poop and developed an insidious tapeworm infection that masquerades as a cancerous liver tumor while it slowly destroys your organs and eventually kills you—or, you probably haven't done that.
No matter how bad things might seem, at least you haven't accidentally eaten fox poop and developed an insidious tapeworm infection that masquerades as a cancerous liver tumor while it slowly destroys your organs and eventually kills you—or, you probably haven't done that.
People in Iceland Collect Baby Puffins in Streets – Throw Them Back in the Ocean
(aol.com)
Even though Iceland’s national bird is the magnificent Gyrfalcon, the Atlantic puffin has become the most precious bird and even attraction there.
Even though Iceland’s national bird is the magnificent Gyrfalcon, the Atlantic puffin has become the most precious bird and even attraction there.
Crows can recognize geometric regularity
(phys.org)
A trio of animal physiologists at the University of Tübingen, in Germany, has found that at least one species of crow has the ability to recognize geometric regularity.
A trio of animal physiologists at the University of Tübingen, in Germany, has found that at least one species of crow has the ability to recognize geometric regularity.
The complex origin story of domestic cats: Research points to Tunisia
(phys.org)
Researchers looking into the origin of domestic cats have long considered that cats likely accompanied early farmers during the Neolithic, spreading through Europe alongside the adoption of agriculture.
Researchers looking into the origin of domestic cats have long considered that cats likely accompanied early farmers during the Neolithic, spreading through Europe alongside the adoption of agriculture.
Colossal squid filmed in ocean for the first time
(bbc.co.uk)
A colossal squid has been filmed in its natural environment for the first time since the species was discovered 100 years ago.
A colossal squid has been filmed in its natural environment for the first time since the species was discovered 100 years ago.
Unsecured penguin caused helicopter crash in South Africa
(bbc.com)
An "unsecured" penguin in a cardboard box was the cause of a helicopter crash in South Africa, a report into the incident has found.
An "unsecured" penguin in a cardboard box was the cause of a helicopter crash in South Africa, a report into the incident has found.
Mammoth genetic diversity throughout the last million years
(sciencedaily.com)
A new genomic study has uncovered long-lost genetic diversity in mammoth lineages spanning over a million years, providing new insights into the evolutionary history of these animals.
A new genomic study has uncovered long-lost genetic diversity in mammoth lineages spanning over a million years, providing new insights into the evolutionary history of these animals.
Experts dispute claims dire wolf brought back from extinction
(bbc.com)
There is a magnificent, snow-white wolf on the cover of Time Magazine today - accompanied by a headline announcing the return of the dire wolf.
There is a magnificent, snow-white wolf on the cover of Time Magazine today - accompanied by a headline announcing the return of the dire wolf.
Intelligence Evolved at Least Twice in Vertebrate Animals
(quantamagazine.org)
Humans tend to put our own intelligence on a pedestal. Our brains can do math, employ logic, explore abstractions and think critically. But we can’t claim a monopoly on thought. Among a variety of nonhuman species known to display intelligent behavior, birds have been shown time and again to have advanced cognitive abilities.
Humans tend to put our own intelligence on a pedestal. Our brains can do math, employ logic, explore abstractions and think critically. But we can’t claim a monopoly on thought. Among a variety of nonhuman species known to display intelligent behavior, birds have been shown time and again to have advanced cognitive abilities.
The Dire Wolf Is Back
(newyorker.com)
Extinction is a part of nature. Of the five billion species that have existed on Earth, 99.9 per cent have vanished.
Extinction is a part of nature. Of the five billion species that have existed on Earth, 99.9 per cent have vanished.
Neurotoxic worms growing up to 3ft long are in Ontario, Canada
(blogto.com)
Spring has sprung in Ontario, and with temperatures soaring into the high teens this week, there are some warm-weather creepy-crawlies now emerging that people may want to familiarize themselves with.
Spring has sprung in Ontario, and with temperatures soaring into the high teens this week, there are some warm-weather creepy-crawlies now emerging that people may want to familiarize themselves with.
Bodega cats make New Yorkers' hearts purr, even if they violate state law
(apnews.com)
Bodega cats in New York City are widely loved feline workers in the Big Apple’s convenience stores.
Bodega cats in New York City are widely loved feline workers in the Big Apple’s convenience stores.
Jumping Spiders Can Think Ahead, Plan Detours (2016)
(nationalgeographic.com)
With brains the size of a sesame seed, jumping spiders may seem like mental lightweights.
With brains the size of a sesame seed, jumping spiders may seem like mental lightweights.
10 Lizards were smuggled into Cincinnati in a sock. Now there are thousands
(nationalgeographic.com)
For more than 70 years, thousands of common wall lizards, known as Lazarus lizards, from Europe have made Cincinnati their home. Even through record-low temperatures and snowfall, they’ve managed to survive—and multiply. But how did these Mediterranean reptiles gain such a foothold in a Midwestern city? It all started with a 10-year-old boy and a sock full of lizards.
For more than 70 years, thousands of common wall lizards, known as Lazarus lizards, from Europe have made Cincinnati their home. Even through record-low temperatures and snowfall, they’ve managed to survive—and multiply. But how did these Mediterranean reptiles gain such a foothold in a Midwestern city? It all started with a 10-year-old boy and a sock full of lizards.
In Defense of the Rat
(hakaimagazine.com)
Congratulations to J. B. MacKinnon for winning a Society of Environmental Journalists award for this article.
Congratulations to J. B. MacKinnon for winning a Society of Environmental Journalists award for this article.
First stroke rehabilitation drug discovered in mouse model
(medicalxpress.com)
A new study by UCLA Health has discovered what researchers say is the first drug to fully reproduce the effects of physical stroke rehabilitation in model mice.
A new study by UCLA Health has discovered what researchers say is the first drug to fully reproduce the effects of physical stroke rehabilitation in model mice.
Plato: Organist to the Beasts (2022)
(willbuckingham.com)
It’s a curious image. The philosopher Plato, dressed in a turban and a sash, sits before a pipe organ and plays sweet tunes. Meanwhile, around him lies a catatonic tribe of lions, tigers, antelopes, leopards, deer, rhinos, cranes, phoenixes and other beasts. What’s going on here? Are these animals sleeping? Are they dead? What is Plato up to?
It’s a curious image. The philosopher Plato, dressed in a turban and a sash, sits before a pipe organ and plays sweet tunes. Meanwhile, around him lies a catatonic tribe of lions, tigers, antelopes, leopards, deer, rhinos, cranes, phoenixes and other beasts. What’s going on here? Are these animals sleeping? Are they dead? What is Plato up to?
"Infantile amnesia" occurs despite babies showing memory activity
(arstechnica.com)
For many of us, memories of our childhood have become a bit hazy, if not vanishing entirely. But nobody really remembers much before the age of 4, because nearly all humans experience what's termed "infantile amnesia," in which memories that might have formed before that age seemingly vanish as we move through adolescence. And it's not just us; the phenomenon appears to occur in a number of our fellow mammals.
For many of us, memories of our childhood have become a bit hazy, if not vanishing entirely. But nobody really remembers much before the age of 4, because nearly all humans experience what's termed "infantile amnesia," in which memories that might have formed before that age seemingly vanish as we move through adolescence. And it's not just us; the phenomenon appears to occur in a number of our fellow mammals.
Wealthiest Animals in the World
(wikipedia.org)
The list of wealthiest animals in the world include animals that have inherited or earned over 1 million U.S. dollars.
The list of wealthiest animals in the world include animals that have inherited or earned over 1 million U.S. dollars.