Articles tagged with Animals
A new study reveals that puppy ownership can bring joy to parents and children, but also presents mental health challenges, including child-puppy interactions and caregiver responsibilities. To mitigate these risks, researchers recommend discussing dog-care responsibilities with children and attending safety training classes.
A study by Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology researchers found that 79% of endemic ant species in Fiji are declining over the past few hundred years, coinciding with European contact and modern agricultural techniques. In contrast, non-native ant species are exploding in population.
A survey of nearly 50,000 dog owners found that dogs became harder to train during the pandemic, with improvements noted once restrictions were lifted. Factors like age, breed, and size also influenced behavior, with mixed-breed dogs showing more fear, aggression, and need for attention.
Research reveals that even thermally tolerant coral species like Stylophora pistillata can experience reduced growth and increased metabolic demand under chronic elevated baseline temperatures. However, some corals can recover when waters cool in the winter, suggesting a potential for resilience.
A study found that most rodents have thumbnails instead of claws, which helps explain how they thrived in various environments. This discovery suggests that thumbnails provide more manual dexterity than long, sharp claws, enabling rodents to exploit high-energy resources like nuts.
A UK study found that plant-based dog foods did not meet nutritional guidelines for iodine and B-vitamins, but experts say supplements or formulation changes can address these gaps. The research analyzed 31 dry dog foods, including meat-based and veterinary options, and found none met European Pet Food Industry Federation standards.
A new study links the size of male proboscis monkeys' noses to their unique vocal characteristics, suggesting a significant impact on individual identity. The findings shed light on the complex interplay between anatomy, acoustics, and social behavior in animals, with potential implications for human communication.
Researchers at OIST identified biological processes that support young clownfish adaptation to climate change and warming seas. Exposing juvenile fish to raised water temperatures showed significant changes in liver and pancreas, reducing insulin secretion and increasing oxidative phosphorylation.
A genetic test developed by Dr Lauren Lansdowne can reliably determine the species of individual gibbons, helping to preserve vulnerable populations. The test uses DNA sequencing and has been validated using large-scale samples from over 200 gibbons in European zoos.
A new species of hypercarnivorous crocodyliform, Kostensuchus atrox, has been discovered in prehistoric Patagonia with a length of 11.5ft and weight of 250kg. This predator was likely one of the top predators in its ecosystem.
Researchers at Binghamton University have identified two previously unknown species of parasitic wasps living in the United States, highlighting the importance of biodiversity and oak gall wasp diversity. The discovery sheds light on how these insects escape diverse and evolving clades of parasites.
A video study of wild spectral bats reveals social greetings, food provision, and cooperative foraging behaviors. The bats were found to exhibit gentle and cooperative behavior, recognizing researchers and forming tight cuddle-balls while roosting.
Dwarf Channel Island foxes (Urocyon littoralis) have larger brains than their mainland gray fox counterparts, contradicting the notion of island-specific evolutionary pressures leading to reduced brain size. This finding suggests little evidence of domestication in these isolated California islands.
Researchers developed a sustainable solution to help tackle honeybee decline by creating an engineered food supplement. The new feed, designed to provide essential compounds found in plant pollen, significantly enhances colony reproduction.
Researchers have found that Black Mambas accumulate heavy metals such as lead and mercury in their scales. This allows them to serve as a natural indicator of environmental pollution levels. By analyzing scale clippings from these snakes, scientists can accurately measure spatial patterns of pollution without harming the snakes.
A new study sheds light on how river birds adapt their communication depending on social and environmental cues. White-throated dippers use visual signals, such as blinking bright white eyelids, to convey messages when noise levels are high.
A new study shows that slower-growing, higher-welfare meat chicken breeds can prevent intense pain at minimal costs. The Welfare Footprint Framework provides a standardized metric to measure animal welfare impacts alongside financial and environmental indicators.
The winner of the 2025 BMC journals Image Competition is a photograph of two male saigas sparring on the banks of a steppe lake. The image, taken by Andrey Giljov, showcases the unique characteristics of saiga antelopes and their survival strategies.
A new study found that river otters in Chesapeake Bay eat diverse prey and parasites, including flukes, dinoflagellates, and invasive fish. The researchers suggest that otters may be helping to clean up polluted environments by consuming parasite-infected animals.
Researchers have developed a 'tap-and-go' approach using specially adapted drones to apply monitoring tags to whales. This innovative method significantly speeds up the process while minimizing human interaction with the animals.
Researchers have identified a previously undocumented class of PFAS in the blubber of killer whales, accumulating in fat-rich blubber. This discovery challenges the long-held assumption that PFAS primarily bind to proteins and accumulate in liver or blood.
Monarch butterflies utilize magnetic fields for migratory directionality, with orientation recalibrated by cold temperatures. Experimental study suggests this ability may be disrupted under climate change, threatening their migration patterns.
Researchers found that cockatoos display a wide repertoire of dance moves, with at least 10 out of 21 species exhibiting this behavior. The study reveals that dancing may have originated as courtship behavior redirected towards owners, and playing music to parrots could improve their welfare.
Scientists studied male fiddler crabs competing over females in a claw-waving contest. The robot crab, Wavy Dave, waved its claw, causing real males to respond by waving longer and less retreating into their burrows.
Researchers found that short-nosed dogs are calmer and less reactive, but this benefit is often masked by lack of training. Consistent training is crucial for their good traits to shine through.
A new study has coined the term 'scrumping' to describe great apes' fondness for eating ripe, fermented fruit from the forest floor. The researchers suggest that this behavior may have played a significant role in the evolution of human alcohol tolerance.
Researchers at UNSW Sydney discovered that leopard seal songs share structural similarities with human nursery rhymes, featuring predictable patterns and low entropy. The study found that male seals spend up to 13 hours a day singing in two-minute cycles, with each individual creating a unique sonic signature.
The Rhisotope Project uses low-level radioactive isotopes in rhino horns to track and intercept trafficked horns, aiming to disrupt the illegal trade. Researchers have confirmed the process is safe for animals and effective in making horns detectable through international customs systems.
A study from the University of Georgia found that lions and hyenas tend to stay near roads with less tourist traffic, particularly during the dry season. The animals often visit waterholes for drinking or hunting, but hyenas may avoid areas with high competition from lions.
A recent study by UCLA researchers found that introducing new genetic variation from Texas reduced the influence of harmful mutations in Florida panthers, improving their fitness. However, the effect of this intervention may be temporary, and continued protection is needed to preserve the subspecies.
Wild great tits exhibit clear behaviors signalling 'divorce' long before the breeding season, according to a study by Oxford researchers. The team used data from the Wytham Woods great tit project and found that faithful birds visited feeding stations with their partners more often than those that went on to divorce.
A recent MIT study found that decreases in seed-dispersing animals can lead to a major reduction in forest carbon absorption. The researchers analyzed data from thousands of vegetation plots and found that healthy populations of seed-dispersing animals can absorb up to four times more carbon than similar forests with fewer animals.
Researchers tracked adult penguins during return trips from foraging in the ocean off Argentina. The penguins used curved paths shaped by tides to conserve energy and take advantage of feeding opportunities.
A new study warns of the dangers of human interactions with wildlife, particularly feeding wild animals, which can lead to habituation and dangerous encounters. The research found that provisioning food to wild animals can cause them to become bolder and more prone to causing problems.
New UGA research reveals wild pigs are a significant cause of damage on farms and crops, with estimated losses of $107,000 per year. The invasive species' high birth rate and ability to uproot seeds and trample plants make them a destructive force in Georgia agriculture.
A systematic review of field and laboratory studies identifies 24 different types of cost in animal contests, grouped into six categories. The researchers propose a three-step process to link short- and long-term costs, allowing for the estimation of individual fitness outcomes.
A study led by Virginia Tech found that volunteer dog-handler teams can effectively detect the elusive egg masses of the spotted lanternfly, an invasive insect damaging farms and forests across the eastern and central United States. With proper training, dog owners can turn their pets into powerful partners for conservation.
Anemonefish evolved into diverse species due to distinct ecological lifestyles, including swimming efficiency, muscle architecture, and behavior. The study challenges long-held ideas about host specialization, positioning anemonefish as a new model system for studying ecological and evolutionary forces.
A new study found that a wildfire and drought led to an increase in jaguar population density in the Brazilian wetlands. The site, which is home to a unique population of jaguars with aquatic diets, may serve as a climate refuge, buffering extreme climate events.
A new analytical method reveals overlooked species at risk of extinction, providing a valuable layer of insight for conservationists. The dual-role approach captures both predator and prey interactions, identifying keystone species and vulnerabilities.
Researchers found that azuki bean beetles infected with Wolbachia bacteria produce larger eggs yielding exclusively male offspring when exposed to elevated temperature and carbon dioxide. This adaptive reproduction strategy enhances the survivability of their offspring.
Researchers analyzed four complete donkey skeletons and remains to discover that Egyptian donkeys were incorporated into ritual burials during the Early Bronze Age in present-day Israel. Local donkeys were also part of the diet, according to the study published in PLOS One.
Located in the western Mediterranean Sea, the Caprera Canyon is home to a high concentration of cetacean species. The canyon's unique geography supports a diverse array of marine life, including whales and dolphins.
A new international study reveals that Skagerrak likely serves as a nursery area for young Greenland sharks, contrary to common associations with Arctic waters. The research also confirms that newborn sharks are born in undisturbed deep-sea areas near the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, south of Iceland.
Four new species of dragon pseudoscorpions have been discovered in caves of South Korea, characterized by their unique dragon-like jaws. These blind creatures were identified through integrative taxonomy, providing insight into the biodiversity of cave-dwelling animals.
Researchers discovered that ants' wax layers exhibit complex phase behavior, allowing them to balance hydration and communication needs. The layer's viscosity decreases with rising temperatures, but also shows unique effects when exposed to different acclimatization temperatures.
A study by University of Göttingen researchers found that mixed deciduous-conifer forests promote coexistence between red squirrels and dormice. The team observed both species living side by side in these forests, suggesting a potential role for mixed forest management in supporting biodiversity.
A new study found that hermit crabs with more sensory hairs on their claws recover faster from a startle response, indicating they are bolder. The research suggests a link between sensory ability and behavior, proposing a hypothesis called sensory investment syndrome.
Researchers from Empa's Soft Kinetic group studied the rare scaly-tailed squirrels' unique bodily structure, discovering that their thorn-covered scales help them maintain position and grip onto tree bark. The study aims to inform robotics by adopting morphological structures and behaviors honed through millions of years of evolution.
A team led by L. Mahadevan found that young anacondas can execute a quick, one-off skating movement called the 'S-start' due to their physical attributes. This movement is similar to sidewinding and could inspire new robotic systems.
A recent study found that pet owners who recently adopted pets often struggled to access veterinary care, particularly those working from home and having children. The researchers analyzed an online survey of 751 US residents and discovered that 20% of all pet owners faced difficulties accessing basic veterinary services.
A new study found that acquiring a dog during the COVID-19 lockdown had a short-lived boost in cheerfulness but no long-term positive effects on human well-being. Losing a pet also did not leave a lasting impact on its former owners' well-being.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have found ants can be used to detect the presence of spotted lanternflies, a serious threat to crops and ecosystems. The method, called antDNA, uses environmental DNA testing to identify tiny traces of DNA in honeydew produced by the insect.
A groundbreaking study reveals that small zooplankton like copepods and krill enhance carbon sequestration through seasonal migrations. These tiny creatures store around 65 million tonnes of carbon annually in the deep ocean.
Researchers found that chipmunks' skulls became larger but teeth shorter due to increased human food availability. Voles' auditory bullae decreased in size possibly to dampen environmental noise. These changes demonstrate the profound impact of humans on wildlife and their environment.
A comparative whole genome analysis of 240 fish species found a strong correlation between loss of the chorion-hardening system and parental egg-care. The team's findings suggest that the loss of key genes, such as alveolin, contributes to this evolutionary bias.
Researchers from The University of Osaka found that Japanese macaques remain close to and care for their dying companions, displaying human-like reactions. The study reveals strong social bonds can affect behavior even after death, suggesting emotional capacities in non-human primates.
A research team analyzed YouTube videos of sleeping cats to find that two thirds sleep on their left side. This bias is thought to be an evolutionary strategy, favoring the use of the right hemisphere of the brain for spatial awareness and threat processing after waking.
Researchers have uncovered a new species of Swaindelphys, a large metatherian that lived around 60 million years ago in Texas' Big Bend National Park. The species, dubbed Swaindelphys solastella, is significantly larger than similar species known from the same period.
Bioengineering researchers at Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences developed a soft, thin, stretchable bioelectronic device that can be implanted into a tadpole embryo's neural plate, recording electrical activity from single brain cells with millisecond precision.