According to the USDA, since 1990, the number of hog farms has declined by more than 70% as individual enterprises has grown larger. Unfortunately for pigs raised in the U.S., their housing conditions are more restrictive than the piglet depicted here. Presumably, the primary reason for this is to make room for more livestock.
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Many vertebrates in the animal kingdom have a highly-developed sense of smell, but what about birds? This article highlights what we know about how birds use olfaction to traverse their daily lives, and outlines what is still unknown.
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Researchers observed the responses by live locusts to robot locusts infected with a fungal pathogen
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Oceanic seabirds can spend weeks at a time traveling thousands of kilometers in search of food on the open ocean. A new study finds a perplexing and never-before-seen behavior in which birds intentionally follow cyclones across the north Atlantic. Researchers compared the trajectories of storms with GPS tracks of birds and examined how ocean conditions change in the wakes of cyclones. They conclude that cyclones enhance mixing of ocean waters and bring prey to the surface where they are easily accessible food sources for birds.
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Elephants are very social animals, and just like humans, they benefit from close attachments to their families. But what happens when a baby elephant is born and raised inside a zoo?
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Zoos and rehabilitation centers play vital roles in big cat conservation efforts, serving as research centers and rescue facilities that contribute to both captive and wild conservation strategies. Animal enrichment is integral to the daily care of captive animals, stimulating cognitive abilities, encouraging natural behaviors, and enhancing overall welfare, thus aiding in conservation efforts. A recent study evaluated biological factors such as sociality and body weight, as well as husbandry factors like group size and enrichment provision, in relation to zoo animal welfare indicators such as playtime and engagement with the environment. The study found that animal enrichment, rather than biological factors, significantly reduces stereotypical anxious behavior, increases activity, and promotes interaction with the environment, thereby enhancing the animals’ quality of life.
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In a groundbreaking discovery, bumblebees have been shown to have a more sophisticated social culture than previously known. Bees could learn to solve a challenging puzzle through social interaction, demonstrating their ability to learn new and complex behaviors beyond their individual cognitive abilities. This study suggests that advanced social learning is not unique to humans, and encourages further exploration of collaboration and culture in the animal kingdom.
Read MoreLike a game of telephone, bees pass pheromones to each other by sticking their butts in the air and frantically fanning their wings. This individual behavior helps the entire group aggregate around the queen. A recent study used video recording and machine learning to understand how these pheromones are passed from bee to bee and understand collective behavior in honey bees.
Read MoreAuthor: Samantha E Andres Source: Calvo, Paco, et al. “Plants are intelligent, here’s how.” Annals of Botany 125.1 (2020): 11-28. What is
Read MoreFor vampire bats, friendship is costly. Researchers show how low risk cooperative behaviors can lead to social bonding – and sharing a meal.
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