Cows get GPS collars to stop them falling in river
(bbc.co.uk)
Cows have been fitted with GPS collars to try to stop them falling into a river.
Cows have been fitted with GPS collars to try to stop them falling into a river.
Bear cub rescued from woods is being raised by humans dressed as bears
(msn.com)
A tiny black bear cub was crying alone in the California woods, his mother nowhere in sight.
A tiny black bear cub was crying alone in the California woods, his mother nowhere in sight.
Gilded Fish: Illustrations of Histoire naturelle des dorades de la Chine c.1780
(publicdomainreview.org)
Goldfish have had a poor reputation over the last century or two. They’ve been casual prizes at fairground games; the lesser alternative to puppies or kittens; and idiomatically (and incorrectly) accused of having limited memory capacity. It was not always so. Goldfish were once prized pets, coveted by emperors and nobles, exotic symbols of good luck. But anything can lose its shine if it’s easily attainable — and that was the goldfish’s undoing.
Goldfish have had a poor reputation over the last century or two. They’ve been casual prizes at fairground games; the lesser alternative to puppies or kittens; and idiomatically (and incorrectly) accused of having limited memory capacity. It was not always so. Goldfish were once prized pets, coveted by emperors and nobles, exotic symbols of good luck. But anything can lose its shine if it’s easily attainable — and that was the goldfish’s undoing.
Elephants evolved to beat cancer, and how we could too
(newatlas.com)
Scientists have recently shed some light on exactly why elephants, one of the biggest animals on the planet, paradoxically experience unusually low rates of cancer.
Scientists have recently shed some light on exactly why elephants, one of the biggest animals on the planet, paradoxically experience unusually low rates of cancer.
Spanish Shipwreck Reveals Evidence of Earliest Known Pet Cats to Arrive in US
(smithsonianmag.com)
Cats are beloved members of many families, with 73.8 million of them prowling and purring their way around 42 million American households. But it wasn’t always this way: Domestic cats are relative newcomers to the Americas, having only arrived roughly 500 years ago with European explorers.
Cats are beloved members of many families, with 73.8 million of them prowling and purring their way around 42 million American households. But it wasn’t always this way: Domestic cats are relative newcomers to the Americas, having only arrived roughly 500 years ago with European explorers.
Improving Flying Drones by Mimicking Flying Squirrels
(hackaday.com)
With the ability to independently adjust the thrust of each of their four motors, quadcopters are exceptionally agile compared to more traditional aircraft. But in an effort to create an even more maneuverable drone platform, a group of South Korean researchers have studied adding flying squirrel tech to quadcopters.
With the ability to independently adjust the thrust of each of their four motors, quadcopters are exceptionally agile compared to more traditional aircraft. But in an effort to create an even more maneuverable drone platform, a group of South Korean researchers have studied adding flying squirrel tech to quadcopters.
A Weirdly Inspirational Story of Caterpillar Torture
(gizmodo.com)
Pine Processionary caterpillars are interesting little creatures. They go on long treks in single file lines. One day, a botanist decided to mess with them. What resulted was a strangely inspirational death march.
Pine Processionary caterpillars are interesting little creatures. They go on long treks in single file lines. One day, a botanist decided to mess with them. What resulted was a strangely inspirational death march.
Accountability Sinks
(250bpm.substack.com)
Back in the 1990s, ground squirrels were briefly fashionable pets, but their popularity came to an abrupt end after an incident at Schiphol Airport on the outskirts of Amsterdam. In April 1999, a cargo of 440 of the rodents arrived on a KLM flight from Beijing, without the necessary import papers. Because of this, they could not be forwarded on to the customer in Athens. But nobody was able to correct the error and send them back either.
Back in the 1990s, ground squirrels were briefly fashionable pets, but their popularity came to an abrupt end after an incident at Schiphol Airport on the outskirts of Amsterdam. In April 1999, a cargo of 440 of the rodents arrived on a KLM flight from Beijing, without the necessary import papers. Because of this, they could not be forwarded on to the customer in Athens. But nobody was able to correct the error and send them back either.
Head-bobbing sea lion proves animals can keep a beat better than humans
(theguardian.com)
Ronan the sea lion can still keep a beat after all these years.
Ronan the sea lion can still keep a beat after all these years.
Snake halts Japanese bullet trains after wrapping around power line
(bbc.com)
One of Japan's busiest bullet train lines came to a halt after a snake tangled itself in a power line, causing a power outage.
One of Japan's busiest bullet train lines came to a halt after a snake tangled itself in a power line, causing a power outage.
Runaway sausage dog snagged after 529 days on Australian island
(rte.ie)
A runaway sausage dog named Valerie has been captured after a 529-day adventure, transfixing Australia as she roamed an island teeming with kangaroos, possums, koala bears and penguins.
A runaway sausage dog named Valerie has been captured after a 529-day adventure, transfixing Australia as she roamed an island teeming with kangaroos, possums, koala bears and penguins.
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.