Rats often have a bad reputation for being dirty and carrying loads of diseases. However, according to a new study, these preconceptions may be unfair as they were found to carry no more pathogens than other mammals. In a study by Georgetown University, they examined 3,000 mammal species and looked for how many diseases they […]
Tag: mammals
80 critically endangered spotted tree frogs are jumping back into the wild in New South Wales
80 critically endangered spotted tree frogs are leaping back into the wild in NSW two years after the 2019-20 summer bushfires nearly wiped out the species. “Despite all the challenges this species has suffered, releasing these 80 spotted tree frogs back into the wild is a reminder to have optimism about the conservation work we’re […]
Scientists have discovered why vampire bats are the only mammals that can survive on a diet of just blood
Scientists compared the genomes of common vampire bats to those of 26 other bat species and discovered 13 genes in vampire bats that are either absent or no longer function. Those gene changes allowed them adapt to a blood diet high in iron and protein but low in fats and carbohydrates over time, according to […]
Illegal pangolin trade may have played a part in coronavirus outbreak
The death toll from the novel coronavirus outbreak, the disease now called COVID-19, crossed the 2,362 mark this week as confirmed cases surpassed 78,000, but it remains unclear how the virus arrived into human populations. Bats are widely believed to be the source of the new virus. Some findings suggest it did not jump from […]
Study Finds That the Wildlife Trade Affects One-Fifth of Vertebrates on Land
All animals with a backbone are called vertebrates. These include mammals, bird, fish, reptiles, and amphibians. A recent study found that a devastation one-fifth of vertebrates that live on land are bought and sold in the wildlife trade. More than 30,000 species of mammal, bird, amphibian and reptile were surveyed. The study, published in Science […]
VOTE for the Best Photo of the Week 15 Aug 2015
Welcome to the “Best Photo of the Week” competition showcasing and celebrating the biodiversity of Planet Earth. Voting is easy and lots of fun. First click an image and browse through the slideshow. Then select the three images you like best of all and click the VOTE button at the bottom of the page. […]
VOTE for the Best Photo of the Week 01 Aug 2015
Welcome to the “Best Photo of the Week” competition showcasing and celebrating the biodiversity of Planet Earth. Voting is easy and lots of fun. First click an image and browse through the slideshow. Then select the three images you like best of all and click the VOTE button at the bottom of the page. […]
Results of the Best Photo of the Week Ended 18 Jul 2015
We are delighted to announce the results of our latest photo competition. Keith Bannister wins First Prize for his brilliant capture “Kingfisher with Catch”. Glenn Perrigo wins Second Prize for his outstanding composition “Queen Butterflies on Eupatorium”. Third Place goes to Leka Huie for “Honey, I’m Coming”. See detailed results below: (click on […]