A strange and mysterious extinct dog breed from far southern South America might not have been a dog at all. The “Fuegian dogs” that lived with the Indigenous peoples of…
Category: Animals
The phoenix isn’t the only critter to survive the flames
At the end of its life, the phoenix goes out in style. With a loud cry, the crimson bird bursts into flames. Then from a pile of ash, a baby…
Frilly bug feet inspire a water-striding robot
Ripple bugs’ nimble movements on the surface of water inspired a robot with automatically unfurling fans on its feet.
Around the world, birds sing longer in light-polluted areas
Light pollution makes birds work overtime. A behavioral analysis of nearly 600 bird species suggests that light pollution from human development can lengthen the time birds spend singing by nearly…
These giant carnivorous bats hug, cuddle — and even share dinner
Even for the world’s largest carnivorous bat, a hug is the best hello. Spectral bats are far more cooperative than researchers long assumed, routinely greeting one another with wing wraps…
Streaked shearwaters poop only while flying over the ocean
This seabird poops on the fly. Streaked shearwaters, oceanic birds that spend much of their time out on the open Pacific Ocean, defecate almost exclusively in the air, researchers report…
A single protein makes lovesick flies spill their guts
Vomiting up a droplet of sugar might not seem like the most romantic gesture from a potential suitor. But for one fly species, males that spill their guts are quite…
Warm autumns could be a driver in monarch butterflies’ decline
Toastier fall weather might cause migrating monarch butterflies to wing it and change their flight plans, starting the countdown toward death. Eastern monarchs captured during their autumn migration and exposed…
Squashing the spotted lanternfly problem may require enlisting other species
A beautiful menace is on the move in the United States. Polka-dotted, red-and-gray-winged insects are gliding along sidewalks, climbing on plants and crawling up buildings. Spotted youngsters are leaping away…
This snail may hold a secret to human eye regeneration
A snail may hold the key to restoring vision for people with some eye diseases. Golden apple snails (Pomacea canaliculata) are freshwater snails from South America. Alice Accorsi became familiar…
