Many species of birds use shed snake skin in nest construction, but this behavior is poorly understood. In new research, ornithologists at Cornell University used comparative and experimental approaches to suggest that the evolution of this behavior is mediated by nest morphology and predator communities. They used a series of experiments and comparisons to test […]
Tag: snakes
Nervous System in Octopus Arms is Separated into Segments, Study Finds
The octopus has a motor control challenge of enormous complexity. Each of its eight arms is a muscular hydrostat, a soft-bodied structure that lacks a rigid skeleton and moves with near infinite degrees of freedom. Moreover, the arms are packed with hundreds of suckers which can change shape independently. Even with this complexity, octopuses control […]
Fleeing mountain lions and scorched earth: can wildlife survive California’s wildfires?
Beth Pratt has spent her career protecting Los Angeles’ mountain lions, which roam an area currently engulfed by wildfires. These apex predators, also known as cougars or pumas, share a scrubby landscape with lavish private homes and a dense network of roads. When major fires take out huge areas of open space, their options are […]
Warming Winters Threaten Florida’s Unique Scrub Jay
Florida’s iconic scrub jay, the only bird species found exclusively in the state, is facing new challenges linked to global warming. A recent study published in Ornithological Advances highlights how rising temperatures are complicating efforts to conserve this already endangered species. For decades, Florida scrub jay populations have dwindled due to habitat destruction caused by […]
The Burmese python problem: how 20ft predators are wreaking havoc on the Everglades
An invasive predator that can grow up to 20ft, weigh over 100kg and devour prey six times its size – it is enough to make anyone’s skin crawl. That’s what residents of southern Florida have been struggling with for the past few decades, with the rapid growth of the Burmese python population in the Everglades. […]
Blind Senior Dog Saves Volunteer from Rattlesnake
A senior dog named Moogan, despite being blind, has earned the title of “hero” for saving a volunteer at Utah’s Best Friends Animal Sanctuary from a potentially hazardous rattlesnake encounter. Dan Fishbein, the volunteer, was guiding Moogan along a sandy trail when the incredible event unfolded. Although Moogan relies on Fishbein to help him navigate […]
Georgia Man Arrested for Alleged Exotic Animal Trading Ring
A Georgia man known for his social media presence with exotic pets was arrested on October 17 after authorities uncovered an alleged illegal animal trading ring. JaeQuan Smith Devers, who went by “PetzonWheelz” on Instagram, was taken into custody following a raid on his home that revealed a collection of dangerous and tropical animals, including […]
The world’s weirdest penises – including a detachable one that swims off after a mate
When it comes to the animal kingdom, nature’s creativity knows no bounds – especially when it comes to reproduction. Across different animal species, penises take on strange and unexpected forms, each adapted for a specific ecological niche or evolutionary advantage. From detachable appendages and corkscrew shapes to multi-functional tools, the diversity in animal penises is […]