In January, an iceberg as large as Chicago separated from an ice shelf in Antarctica. By chance, a scientific research ship was nearby. The scientists jumped at the rare chance to study an area of the ocean floor that had been covered by ice for thousands of years. What they found surprised them.
Posts tagged as “animals”
Scientists in Australia have used Artificial Intelligence (AI) to help them locate a rare bird called the Plains-wanderer. This new information will help scientists protect the birds, which are endangered.
A company called Colossal Biosciences has created thick-haired mice that they are calling "Colossal Woolly Mice". The mice, created by editing DNA, are meant to be a step toward the company's larger goal of recreating the extinct woolly mammoth. Not everyone thinks it's a great idea.
Scientists have discovered that many species of birds-of-paradise have feathers that glow. Birds-of-paradise were already well-known for their very colorful feathers and the fancy dances they use to attract mates. The discovery suggests that the birds are even more striking than we knew.
As humans, we can think about what other people are thinking, and understand that their ideas might be different from ours. Scientists call this "theory of mind". An important question is whether animals can do the same. A recent experiment suggests that bonobo apes may share this ability.
Three young scientists have captured the first photos of a Mount Lyell shrew. The tiny animal is the only mammal in California that hadn't been photographed alive - until now. The scientists hope their images will help raise awareness about the little-known species.
Scientists have discovered that a male humpback whale traveled over 8,100 miles (13,000 kilometers) across three oceans. The journey is the longest known trip for a humpback whale. It's likely that the whale made the trip in search of a mate.
The world's oldest known wild bird is an albatross named Wisdom. She's around 74 years old, and has recently returned to her nesting place in the Midway Atoll. Wisdom may be old, but she's still active. She has just laid her first egg in four years.
Scientists in Tanzania have trained rats to help detect illegal wildlife products being smuggled out of the country. The rats have learned to recognize the smell of these items, and can alert their handlers when they find them. The program is still being tested, but the method could help protect some endangered animals.
Scientists have long known that elephants are clever. They can solve problems, they talk to each other, and they have long memories. But researchers were surprised at the way two Asian elephants recently showed off their understanding of an unusual tool - a hose.
In 2020, a group of explorers looking for mammoth tusks in eastern Siberia made a surprising discovery - the mummy of a 35,000-year-old saber-toothed kitten. The find is the first of its kind and is giving scientists a new look at saber-toothed cats.