Tuesday, June 23, 2026

Animal behavior

Animal behaviorCitiesEnvironmental Science

Collision course: bird strikes caused by building lights at night

Each year, billions of birds die from colliding with building windows. What characteristics of buildings make some more prone to collisions than others? A team of researchers set out to shed some light on the answer

Read More
Animal behaviorEcosystemsEnvironmental Science

In need of a spa day? Why whales migrate to tropical waters

Whales have long been known to undertake mega-migrations. The seasonal occurrence of these marine giants provides great excitement, opportunities for tourism and a myriad of local ecological benefits. Yet, whilst scientists have documented and mapped these journeys for many whale populations across the world, the underlying reason for such odysseys has remained elusive. New research now suggests that whales may make these epic undertakings for the benefit of their skin.

Read More
Animal behaviorEcosystemsEnvironmental Science

New Discoveries of Luminescent Life

Have you ever wanted to glow in the dark? If you are an amphibian, this power may be more common than we thought! A study from St. Cloud State University recently characterized the patterns resulting from red, blue, and green light from the bodies of salamanders from around the world!

Read More
Animal behaviorClimateEnvironmental Science

“Mite”-y Mothers Protect Their Eggs from Drought

Mother’s Day is near, and what better way to celebrate than by learning about some “mite”-y moms! When predatory mite mothers are exposed to drought conditions, they prepare their eggs to survive stressful environments. In doing so, mite mothers exert more energy and resources which reduces the number of eggs that are produced and the time the mothers survive.

Read More
Animal behavior

Hammerhead’s Night Out: The Day-to-Day Life of Hammerhead Sharks

Hammerheads (Sphyrna lewini) are, understandably, one of the most charismatic species in the world of marine biology. However, these sharks have suffered major declines in recent years due to direct hunting and overfishing of their prey.

Read More
Animal behaviorRemote Environments

Holding Your Breath: Surviving the Heart of Marine Darkness

As you swim through a coral reef, you see parrot fish, clams and other colorful aquatic creatures swimming elegantly and going about their lives. While you, with your snorkel, are confined to the surface of the water and the occasional dive for as long and as deep as you can hold your breath, the fish “breathe” easily with their gills (or lungs in the cases of some evolutionarily interesting fish). But do they breathe that easily? Living in and getting oxygen from a high-pressure aquatic environment is difficult and metabolically demanding, and some fish have found special ways to make it easier.

Read More
Animal behaviorEnvironmental Science

Do Crustaceans Feel Pain?

Believe it or not, quite a bit of research has gone into determining the answer to this question. Crustaceans have long been viewed as only having reflexes without any associated pain, but evidence is building that they experience more than just a reflex under “painful” circumstances. So what’s the consensus?

Read More