Animals

Animals

This spider traps flashy fireflies as bait to catch related prey

When stuck in an orb weaver spider’s web, male fireflies start to blink more like female fireflies — luring in more males.

Animals

Werewolves could learn from other critters when to hunt

Werewolves aren’t the only creatures that undergo transformation under the full moon. But could weak werewolves be at risk of becoming prey?

Animals

How to make ‘worms’ more nutritious — and easier to swallow

Extracting protein from insect larvae could lead to a healthful food ingredient — and you never have to bite into crunchy legs or squishy bodies.

Animals

Let’s learn about animal cannibals

The animal kingdom is full of creatures that eat their parents, their babies, their siblings or their mates.

Animals

Magic helped this researcher trick birds for research 

At the National University of Singapore, Elias Garcia-Pelegrin looks at how magic can help us understand animal intelligence.

Animals

Weird? These bat toes can glow greenish-blue

Hairy bristles on the toes of Mexican free-tailed bats fluoresce under UV light. The reason is a mystery.

Oceans

Underwater mountains in the Pacific Ocean may be home to 20 new species

A recent expedition to undersea mountain ranges off the coast of Chile revealed a new seamount and a rich world of deep-sea biodiversity.

Animals

In 2024, bird flu posed big risks ­— and to far more than birds

Cows, elephant seals and polar bears are among unexpected bird flu casualties. Learn about potential risks to them, to people and to our food supplies.

Animals

Can furry pets get H5N1 bird flu and spread it to us?

The 2024 pandemic-style bird flu circulating in birds has shown up in cats and other pet species.

Animals

A springtail’s spring-loaded backflip is fast — really fast

Globular springtails can seem to vanish as they spin backwards at rates of up to 368 rotations per second! So don’t blink.

Animals

Chimps and bonobos recognize familiar faces even after decades apart

Chimpanzees and bonobos may boast the longest social memory of any animal besides humans.

Animals

This biologist tracks seadragons, with help from the public

Nerida Wilson uses artificial intelligence to identify seadragons in photos taken by citizen scientists.