The cat family has an amazing array of eye colors stemming from one unusual ancestor. The evolution of eye color in cats has been mapped for the first time, and researchers found that one unusual ancestor is responsible for the feline family’s dazzling variety of peepers — from yellow-eyed tigersContinue Reading
Across the country, pet dogs are falling sick with a flu-like illness, but scientists don’t yet know what’s causing it. Dogs across the U.S. are getting sick with an unexplained respiratory illness. As of Monday (Nov. 27), at least 14 states, including Oregon, New Hampshire, Colorado and Massachusetts, have reportedContinue Reading
First of its kind footage captured for National Geographic’s “Incredible Animal Journeys” shows a barn swallow caught in a sandstorm as part of its migration through the Sahara Desert. Incredible, first-of-its-kind footage reveals a tiny swallow’s battle for survival inside a mammoth sandstorm as it migrates across the Sahara Desert.Continue Reading
Hercules beetles can grow to almost 7 inches long and are among the largest flying insects on Earth. Hercules beetles are among the largest flying insects in the world, with males of some subspecies measuring up to 6.8 inches (17.2 centimeters) long. They are also extraordinarily strong and can liftContinue Reading
Within three years, the soil grew richer and supported more plants When glaciers melt, they leave behind barren landscapes that can take decades to support plants and animals. But a new study found that within just three years, such exposed land was revitalized by llamas, whose activity nourished the soilContinue Reading
The unusual skeleton of a holy woman buried in a crouched position in medieval times has been identified. The skeletal remains of a medieval anchoress — essentially a religious hermit — buried in an unusual, crouched position at a church site in England died with syphilis and arthritis, archaeologists discovered.Continue Reading
A great white shark recently decapitated a Mexican fisher as he was diving for shellfish. But what was the reason for the unusually gruesome attack? A fisher was recently decapitated by a 19-foot-long (5.8 meters) great white shark while diving for ax tripe, a scallop-like mollusk in Mexico. The tragicContinue Reading
Besides chimps, the birds are the only known nonhumans to use a tool kit Forget screwdrivers or drills. A stick and a straw make for a great cockatoo tool kit. Some Goffin’s cockatoos (Cacatua goffiniana) know whether they need to have more than one tool in claw to topple anContinue Reading
Self-awareness may be more widespread among animals than we once thought Some fish can recognize their own faces in photos and mirrors, an ability usually attributed to humans and other animals considered particularly brainy, such as chimpanzees, scientists report. Finding the ability in fish suggests that self-awareness may be farContinue Reading
The animal might use spines on its throat to recognize potential mates instead of calls A newfound species of frog doesn’t ribbit. In fact, it doesn’t make any sound at all. Many frogs have unusual characteristics, from turning translucent to being clumsy jumpers. The recently discovered amphibian lacks a voice.Continue Reading