The narwhal (Monodon monoceros), one of the most emblematic species of the Arctic, has been a source of myths and legends for centuries, inspiring tales of marine unicorns thanks to its long and enigmatic spiral tusk. Despite its fame, the behavior of these cetaceans remains largely unknown, particularly regarding the use of their distinctive tusk. […]
Animal behavior
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Beyond Cute: California Squirrels Now Hunt and Eat Small Rodents
When picturing a ground squirrel, it’s common to imagine a creature stuffing its cheeks with nuts or seeds. However, a groundbreaking study has revealed an unexpected facet of California ground squirrels’ behavior: these rodents are active hunters that prey on small mammals like voles. This discovery, led by researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire […]
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Wolves Observed Feeding on Flower Nectar for the First Time
A recent study on the feeding behavior of the Ethiopian wolf, a critically endangered species, has documented an unusual interaction between this species and the Kniphofia foliosa plant. This research was conducted by the Ethiopian Wolf Conservation Program (EWCP), a joint initiative between the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU) at the University of Oxford, the […]
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Queen ants eat their infected offspring to contain the spread of disease
In a surprising twist from the natural world, queen ants are taking extreme measures to protect their colonies from disease by eating their own infected offspring. According to a new study led by Oxford University and published in Current Biology, instead of caring for sick larvae, queen ants devour their infected young at the first […]
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Humpback Whales Found to Create and Handle Tools
A study published in Royal Society Open Science has shed new light on the remarkable behavior of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae). Researchers from the University of Hawaiʻi’s Marine Mammal Research Program (MMRP) and the Alaska Whale Foundation (AWF) have uncovered evidence that these majestic marine mammals not only use tools but also create and manipulate […]
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Female sharks have begun reproducing without males through parthenogenesis
In a surprising development in marine biology, recurrent parthenogenesis has been documented for the first time in the shark Mustelus mustelus, also known as the common smooth-hound. This discovery, reported in the journal Scientific Reports, highlights these sharks’ ability to reproduce without the intervention of a male, a phenomenon that could have significant implications for […]
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Chimpanzees Have the Ability to Speak Like Humans, According to an Experiment
A recent study published in the journal Scientific Reports has revealed surprising findings that challenge prevailing theories about the evolution of human speech. This work, conducted by Axel G. Ekström and collaborators, analyzes historical recordings of two enculturated chimpanzees who managed to produce the word mama. The results of this study suggest that chimpanzees possess […]
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Spectacular fossil of four snakes that died together 38 million years ago is first evidence of reptilian social behavior
In a groundbreaking discovery, a fossilized group of four snakes dating back 38 million years has provided the first evidence of social behavior among reptiles. The discovery, made in western Wyoming, showcases a new species of snake named Hibernophis breithaupti. These findings shed light on the social behavior and evolutionary trajectory of the boa family […]
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The Fascinating “Leaf Sheep”, Hermaphroditic Mollusks that Detach Pieces of Their Body to Escape Predators
Earlier, we talked here about Elysia chlorotica, a marine mollusk that we described as being half animal and half plant because it somehow had the ability to perform photosynthesis. Something similar happens with its cousins, the leaf sheep, which are also mollusks and were discovered in 1993. Its scientific name is Costasiella kuroshimae, and it […]
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A Group of Butterflies Crosses the Atlantic Ocean on an Astonishing 4,200-kilometer Record Journey
An international team, led by the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and under the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, has documented a record-breaking transoceanic flight of more than 4,200 km undertaken by painted lady butterflies (Vanessa cardui). This study, published in the journal Nature Communications, reveals that the journey, which lasted between five and […]
