Humans are not the only ones to teach their children good hygiene practices—mandrills do it too. In these primates, where many individuals are infected with contagious gastrointestinal parasites, some females systematically avoid grooming the peri-anal region of their groupmates. This “hygienic” strategy is then transmitted to their daughters, as shown by the study of Marie […]
Tag: animal behavior
How To Better Enjoy The Company Of Pets
If you’re like most people, you probably enjoy the company of pets. More than half of U.S. households have at least one pet, and that number is growing every year. Pets provide us with companionship, love, and affection – and they can help reduce stress levels as well. But for many people, getting the most […]
Study: Docile Raccoons are Trash Can Criminal Masterminds
Researchers have assessed the habituation, learning and cognitive flexibility of a wild population of raccoons (Procyon lotor) in Wyoming, the United States. Raccoons are medium-sized carnivores that demonstrate incredible success in novel and urban environments yet have been understudied within the fields of animal behavior and cognition. Their native range in North America is currently […]
Drumming Chimpanzees Have Unique ‘Signatures’
It turns out that humans aren’t the only animals who pound out beats to express themselves. A new study published in Animal Behavior Tuesday found that male chimpanzees in Uganda’s Budongo Forest use “individual drumming ‘signatures’” when they drum on the buttress roots of trees, so much so that researchers could compare different chimps to […]
Male Dolphins Seen Playing ‘Wingman’ to Help Each Other Find Mates
Humans have long been thought to be distinct from other animals in our ability to form complex, multilevel alliances in order to reach shared goals. However, new research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Monday shows that male bottlenose dolphins do the same thing, and they do it for a very […]
Global warming may not be as bad for animal reproduction as thought, study suggests
Animals are more likely to mate in warmer environments, a study analyzing the impact of climate change on reproductive behavior has found. Looking at the impact of temperature changes on 22 species which included a huge variety of animals such as geckos, frogs, butterflies, dragonflies, birds and sea life, research from the University of Aberdeen […]
Petition: Big Mammals Suffer Brain Damage in Captivity According to Research
Many animals, most notably big mammals, often exhibit signs of duress as a result of being held in zoos or aquariums. These activities can include behaving in an abnormally aggressive manner, pacing, or even engaging in self-destructive behaviors. One expert in this field is Shubhobroto Ghosh, the Wildlife Projects Manager for Animals in the Wild, […]
World’s longest penguin dive, of more than half an hour, is recorded
Scientists in Antarctica have recorded the world’s longest penguin dive, an astounding 32.2 minutes under the water; a full five minutes longer than the previous record. Emperor penguins, which live only in Antartica, are the tallest and heaviest penguins in the world, and have the best diving ability. They can dive as much as 500 […]