zoology

Giant, intelligent octopuses may have once ruled the ancient seas. Modern octopuses are known for their intelligence and flexibility, living in reefs, squeezing into crevices, or drifting through deep ocean waters. However, new research suggests their earliest ancestors played a much more dominant role in marine ecosystems. A study led by Hokkaido University reports that [...]

The feline’s population has declined by more than 95% due to habitat loss, fragmentation, and retaliatory killings

Buxton, Derbyshire: A glimpse of gloop in the water, a hasty net purchase, and it was confirmed – palmate newts have moved in. But how long had they been there? It has been a source of excitement for weeks that we have found ourselves custodians of newts. Judging by the numbers present and the age of our pond, they have probably been here at least a decade. Yet neither our neighbours nor our pred…

Powerstock Common, Dorset: I’m hopeful that the mixed habitats here and bright weather will bring them out in their droves – and I’m not disappointed The recent pulse of warm, sunny weather has encouraged butterflies to fly in large numbers in Dorset. They were everywhere when I visited Powerstock Common : the moment I opened the car door, a brimstone fluttered sulphur-yellow over the parking are…

Everything about a Greenland shark’s life is slow: their heart beats about once every 12 seconds; they swim at an average speed of just a foot per second; they grow at a sluggish rate of just one centimeter (0.4 inch) a year; and they don’t reach sexual maturity until their 150th birthday. The sluggish living makes sense for steely behemoths that live comfortably into their 200s and possible to 4…

A newly discovered stegosaur skull from Spain is offering rare insight into the anatomy and evolution of one of Europe’s most iconic dinosaurs. A rare skull from Spain is giving scientists a clearer look at one of Europe’s most important armored dinosaurs and reshaping ideas about how stegosaurs spread and evolved. Stegosaurs were plant-eating dinosaurs [...]

Dolphins are known for their incredible speed and smooth, graceful movement in the water. They can glide, leap, and change direction with ease, making them some of the most efficient swimmers in the ocean. But what exactly allows dolphins to move so fast? Scientists have been studying this question for years, hoping to understand the […] The post Why dolphins swim so fast appeared first on Knowri…

Male birdwatchers may have an unexpected advantage when sneaking in for a close-up in a...

Tucked away in the cracks of everyday walls, researchers have uncovered a tiny spider with abilities that seem far beyond what its size would suggest.

Just like vertebrates, cephalopods—such as octopuses and squid—have elaborate brains. Neuroscientists are flocking to them for insights into how intelligence evolved.

Dogs are man’s best (and oldest – see CA 352 and 401) friends, but how they came to be that way is still a bit of a mystery. Based on morphological changes

Sloths were set to be displayed at controversial new theme park but report revealed mammals died in warehouse Prosecutors in Florida said on Friday they had launched a criminal investigation into the deaths of dozens of sloths from South America that were set to be displayed at a controversial new theme park. A Florida fish and wildlife commission (FWC) report revealed last week that 31 mammals t…

Experiments involving dozens of European bird species -- such as great tits, house sparrows and blackbirds -- suggest the birds can distinguish human sex and react differently, but the reasons remain unclear. The post Urban Birds Seem to Fear Women More Than Men: Study appeared first on Sci.News: Breaking Science News .

An analysis of 37 urban bird species found that men could get slightly closer to the avians than women could, suggesting that these animals recognize sex differences in humans.

The other day I showed photos of a mallard hen who came to the pond on Wednesday and whose bill markings were strikingly similar to that of Vashti, the hen who departed with her brood of seven a week before last Tuesday. Her behavior, her immediate bonding with Armon, and bill markings all combine to … Continue reading The newly-arrived hen is Vashti

The migration of birds from their southern wintering grounds to their breeding grounds in the north is in full swing

Scientists have uncovered a tiny wall-dwelling spider named Pikelinia floydmuraria, inspired by Pink Floyd. Despite its size, it’s a fierce predator that hunts ants much larger than itself and helps reduce common urban pests like mosquitoes and flies. Its clever strategy of building webs near lights makes it especially effective. The discovery also raises new questions about its mysterious link t…

In this week’s blog post, we’re gearing up for a shift in seasons with author Grace Hirzel as we explore the behavioural changes in a temperate butterfly. Based on their paper: “Synchronous seasonal plasticity in colouration, behaviour, and visual gene expression in a wild butterfly population”, Grace shares with us how seasonal conditions impact behaviour and how animals perceive their env…

A small but consistent difference in how birds respond to approaching humans hints at hidden cues shaping animal behavior. An international team of scientists has uncovered an unexpected pattern in how city birds respond to people. Species such as great tits, house sparrows, and blackbirds tend to take flight sooner when approached by women than [...]