Animal behavior – Page 6

Parasites are threatening pollinator populations worldwide, raising concerns for the future of our food security. How we manage our gardens in cities could impact parasite transmission among pollinators, especially bees. Researchers found that bee parasites decrease when we plant plenty of flowers to promote diverse pollinators. We also reduce parasites when we refrain from mulching our gardens, as mulch covers nests for ground-nesting bees. As spring approaches, will your garden be friendlier to bees or their parasites?

Animal behavior

April 13, 2022 Abigail Donahue

Meet the caecilian, the mysterious amphibian that skins its mother alive

Caecilians are amphibians, like frogs and salamanders. They look like a mix between an earthworm and a snake. And they let their children tear off their skin and eat it.

A school of fish swims through the ocean.

Animal behavior Climate Ecosystems Environmental Science

April 9, 2022 Lauren Otolski

The Potential of Parasites

Although parasites have a negative reputation, they can be a valuable conservation tool. Their diversity means they can be used in many applications, and this range of known potential purposes will only increase with further exploration. This article explores how parasites have been used to better understand habitat fragmentation, invasive species movement, harvested species overexploitation, and even climate change!

Animal behavior Ecosystems

April 7, 2022 Julia Bebout

Why are some animals hoarders?

Why do some animals, like mice and squirrels, bury their food? Isn’t that risky? The answer has to do with natural cycles of tree seed quantity.

Animal behavior

March 20, 2022 Brandi Pessman

Prey or Mate – Can web-building spiders tell the difference?

After reaching maturity, male web-building spiders leave their webs in search of a mate. The real challenge occurs once the male reaches a female’s web because the female could easily mistake male vibrations for prey vibrations. Not wanting to be the female’s next meal, the male needs to produce unique vibrations to identify itself as a potential mate, not prey. The female must decipher male and prey vibrations and delay attack when a potential mate enters the web. Will this be enough to avoid tragedy? Click to find out!

Animal behavior

March 14, 2022 Abigail Donahue

Why don’t cowbirds feed their chicks?

The brown-headed cowbird (Molothrus ater), a native of North America, doesn’t build a nest. It also doesn’t feed its chicks, stick around for their first flight, or comfort them during storms. How can a bird species survive when it doesn’t care for its young? The answer involves covert egg-laying, chick sabotage, and the unwitting generosity of other songbirds.

Animal behavior Environmental Science

March 13, 2022 Sam Schurkamp

Hunting for Nothing

In an increasingly human-dominated world, many predators are making due without the resource they needed most: their prey. Featured image source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/51647007@N08/5277240941