Why Whales Are Known To Have Some Nerve

Medicine & Technology May 06, 2015

Marine biology researchers from the University of British Columbia (UBC) have discovered a unique nerve structure that allows massive rorqual whales to fish effectively. The nerves within the tongues and mouths of these whales can "stretch" to more than twice their resting length and then snap back into position effortlessly.

Survival of the Cutest? Uncharismatic Endangered Species Receive Unequal Funding

Apr 20, 2015

It seems when it comes to saving endangered species, there is a giant inequality in the investment of resources with species that aren't considered as cute or "charismatic" receiving more funding compared to species that simply aren't.

Dwarf Dragons Discovered in the Andes

Apr 07, 2015

Just when we thought that scientists have found all the species they were going to, a new species of lizard dubbed the dwarf dragon has been discovered in the Andes Mountains of South America.

How One Endangered Species Is Making A Change For the Better—Eating Sweeter Flora Instead

Apr 07, 2015

Many endangered species like the Giant Tortoises of the Galápagos islands share a similar fate with the introduction of human beings to their natural landscape. With humans so too come the pets and the plants that invade their space. And more often than not it means that these endangered species either die off or adapt to avoid competition or costly meals. But for some, in very rare conditions, it means that the species can thrive even better than it could on its sparse local sources for food. And in a new study published this week in the Biotropica, researchers say that after a four year study, tracking the movement and foraging behavior of giant tortoises, it appears that they are seeking out sweeter treats of invasive flora and fruits instead of their local fare.

The Energy for a New Crawl—Galápagos Tortoises Feast on Invasive Plants for a New Foraging Technique

Apr 07, 2015

When it comes to invasive flora, most conservation ecologists know that the ramifications that come with these primary producers often appear much higher in the food chain. Some animals are unequipped to utilize the plants for food, while others simply find the energy spent foraging for it is far too much for the energy gained. And it’s a dynamic that often leads some species to coevolve. But looking into one of the first Darwinian subjects, Galápagos Giant Tortoises, some researchers have found that the unique species may be getting far more out of the invasive flora than they once thought—enough to even change their foraging behavior altogether.

The Curious Case of Birds—How Evolution Has Led to Less Differences Than Charles Darwin Thought

Mar 28, 2015

It’s a well-known fact that in nature it’s often the boys that have the better looks. Without the task of investing their energy and resources into the next generation of children males are able to reallocate their resources into preening and looking pretty. But it’s a curious case that is far from what the original evolutionary biologists once thought.

‘Traffic Rules’ In Nature—Being a Little Batty

Mar 28, 2015

Sitting in traffic on the 210 Interstate Freeway can be quite a pain when you’re on your way to Los Angeles. In fact, in the stop and go traffic you may find yourself going a “little batty”—and you’d never guess just how right you are. When you’re behind the wheel, abiding by the rules of the road, you may just be revealing a bit more of your bat side than usual as a new study published this week in the journal PLOS Computational Biology reveals that humans aren't the only ones who follow “traffic rules” in nature.

Bringing Extinct Animals Back to Life No Longer Just Part of the Movies

Mar 27, 2015

Move over Jurassic Park, it seems the idea of bringing extinct animals back to life is now becoming more science rather than science fiction. The idea of reviving long extinct species has fascinated scientists for generations. Now, they have brought the idea one step closer to reality as scientists from Harvard University have managed to insert wooly mammoth DNA into the code of Asian elephants.

Myanmar Bird Fools Scientists Who Thought That It Was Extinct

Mar 08, 2015

A bird that scientists believed to have gone extinct decades ago has been rediscovered in Myanmar, after a team of scientists used a recording of its distinctive call to track it down.

Marine Mammals Can Suffer from Irregular Heartbeats When Diving Deep

Jan 19, 2015

Researchers from the University of California, Santa Cruz have found that marine mammals like seals and dolphins can suffer from irregular heartbeats when they dive deep in the search for food. According to researchers, who believed they have evidence of cardiac rhythm complications in both Weddell seals and bottlenose dolphins, said the problem takes place as they hold their breath during deep dives.

How Zebra Stripes and Rising Sea Levels Have More In Common Than You Thought

Jan 16, 2015

Though the two may seem entirely unrelated at first, one being a long misunderstood mystery and the other the byproduct of climate change, a new study reveals that a zebra’s stripes may too be caused by environmental factors making our sea levels rise.

Giant Sea Animals Are Not So Giant After All

Jan 15, 2015

The oceans largest creatures aren't quite as large as we often image, according to a new study. According to a report published in the journal Peer J, humans are not very good at visualizing the size of creatures like the giant squid or whales, and media reports usually exaggerate their size too. The team of researchers from the U.S. and Canada compared popular reports and scientific reports for 25 different species of marine creatures, including whales, sharks, squids and other giant ocean dwellers, and found that most of the animals were actually smaller than what was reported.

Threatened Thresher Shark Birth Captured on Film

Jan 14, 2015

Thresher sharks are among the open ocean's most interesting predators, using their elongated tails to herd and stun schools of fish. And now, for the first time, a mother pelagic thresher shark was caught on camera giving birth off the Philippine coast.

New Births Spark Hope for Conservation Ecologists: Orca and California Condor Share Miracle of New Life

Jan 12, 2015

Despite continued threats of extinction to a variety of species, life has once again proven it won't give up without a fight thanks to new births from several endangered species this week. These new births have thrilled conservation ecologists across the world that work tirelessly to protect these species.

Monarch Butterflies Could Soon Be Deemed “Endangered”

Dec 31, 2014

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced earlier this week that it is considering placing the monarch butterfly under the federal protection of the Endangered Species Act. And now, for the next sixty days, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will hear comments from the public on the idea of listing the butterfly.