All articles tagged with #animal behavior
A new study shows the horse’s neigh is a two-tone sound: a low-pitched voice-box vibration paired with a high-pitched whistle that escapes through a tiny opening. Researchers filmed inside horses’ noses and analyzed dead horses’ laryngeal tissues to confirm the dual mechanism, making horses the first known large mammals to whistle while they vocalize. The two frequencies may help convey multiple emotions or messages during social interactions.
On Golem Grad island in Lake Prespa, Hermann’s tortoises are outnumbered by males 19 to 1, leading to relentless harassment that injures females and drives some off the cliffs; enclosure experiments show even with an escape route, aroused males cause island females to fall, while mainland females avoid exits. Most island females show genital injuries and many are not pregnant, unlike mainland populations where all females are pregnant. Scientists warn this extreme sex bias could trigger an extinction vortex, with projections suggesting the last female could die around 2083.
An Austrian cow named Veronika learned to use a broom as a tool to scratch hard-to-reach areas, with researchers documenting 76 tool‑use instances across seven trial sessions. The finding challenges assumptions about cattle intelligence and suggests cows may be capable of innovative problem‑solving and tool use under stimulating conditions.
A Nature Ecology & Evolution study synthesizes data showing same-sex sexual behavior in 59 nonhuman primates (including bonobos, chimpanzees and macaques) with repeated instances in 23 species, suggesting such behavior helps reduce social tension, build bonds, and manage competition under environmental stress—driven by genetics and context rather than reproduction, though not all species are equally studied.
The article showcases the best nature photography of 2025, highlighting stunning images of animal behaviors and unique plant features, including a male gobbleguts fish incubating eggs in its mouth, a caterpillar with a 'mad hatter' headgear, an orb weaver spider illuminated by city lights, and a fluorescing pitcher plant, all recognized in prestigious photography competitions.
Research at Cornell University found that lab mice released into a natural, enclosed environment showed significantly reduced anxiety and more natural behaviors, suggesting that exposure to diverse experiences and environments can positively impact their mental health and potentially improve the reliability of scientific data. The study highlights the importance of environmental enrichment and may have implications for understanding human anxiety and well-being.
A raccoon in Virginia was found passed out in a liquor store after smashing bottles and getting drunk, highlighting raccoons' adaptability to urban environments and their tendency to scavenge alcohol, which is common in many ecosystems.
Research shows that shouting at seagulls is more effective than speaking softly or using bird songs to scare them away from food, suggesting that loud vocal deterrence can be a peaceful way to protect your picnic without harming the birds.
Australian humpback dolphins are observed wearing sea sponge hats as a courtship display to attract females, a behavior unique to certain regions in Western Australia, highlighting intriguing animal mating rituals.
Brainless animals like jellyfish, sea anemones, and hydras can learn, remember, and respond to stimuli through diffuse nerve nets, suggesting they possess a rudimentary form of cognition, though whether they can truly 'think' remains a complex and debated question among scientists.
Many animals, including sharks, birds, fish, and insects, are tricked by optical illusions that enhance their survival and reproductive success, revealing that perception is often about advantageous shortcuts rather than accuracy, and some animals even create illusions to influence others.
Researchers discovered that a tiny parasitic roundworm, S. carpocapsae, uses static electricity to ambush prey midair by jumping up to 25 times its body length, leveraging electrostatic forces to increase landing success, revealing fascinating insights into the physics and biology of microscopic predators.
In 1997, a chimpanzee named Santino at Furuvik Zoo in Sweden demonstrated remarkable behavior by planning and preparing to throw rocks at visitors, including gathering and fracturing stones, which indicated a level of future planning and deception previously thought unique to humans. This discovery provided significant insights into primate cognition and behavior.
The article showcases winners from the Wildlife Photographer of the Year awards across various categories, highlighting stunning images of animals, plants, and ecosystems, and emphasizing the importance of conservation efforts and scientific breakthroughs to protect wildlife and habitats.
A young gorilla named Denny at the San Diego Zoo broke the enclosure glass during a playful charge, causing a deep crack and prompting a temporary closure of the exhibit. The incident highlights natural adolescent behaviors in gorillas, which can be extremely strong, and raises concerns about safety and animal behavior. Denny, born at the zoo, is part of ongoing conservation efforts for critically endangered gorillas.