Every May, we celebrate the moms out there with flowers, brunch, and heartfelt cards, but what about the moms out in the wild? The ones raising pups in burrows, ferrying tadpoles on their backs, or literally giving their lives for their young? Turns out, the animal kingdom is full of wildly good moms, each with…
Author: The Ethogram
The official blog of the UC Davis Animal Behavior Graduate Group.
Throwback Sunday Sketch: Hummingbird
Hummingbirds (family Trochilidae) are well known for their rapid flight and unique beaks that allow them to drink nectar from deep inside of flowers. A recent study showed that they will forage for nectar in the sun, even when temperatures are high and shade is available. Art by @misterkawaii_art [Edited by Isabelle McDonald] Reference: Lawrence,…
Sunday Sketch: Hungry Herons
The heron is a large coastal bird, with 75 species distributed across the globe. Often remembered for their fondness for fishing, herons partake in “stand and wait” feeding, which is where they stand motionless in water, waiting for their prey to approach. Sometimes they will put their bill into the water and create a rapid…
Field Frame Friday: (Cai)man eater
Many crocodilians (crocodiles, alligators, and caimans) in photos almost appear to be smiling wide. But make no mistake here, this Yacare Caiman (Caiman yacare) from Brazil may grow almost as long as 10 feet and probably does not want to be trifled with. The Yacare Caiman has a diet that begins with anything they can…
Throwback Creature Feature: River dolphins
Celebrating International Dolphin Day!
Sunday Sketch: The Blue-Footed Booby
The healthiest Blue-Footed Booby chicks are typically sired by fathers with brighter blue feet. Female bird’s are more attracted to male birds with bluer feet, and male birds seek out partners with similar traits. During the breeding season, both sexes display their feet to each other as part of courtship. The nest is usually built…
Newsroom: Moving Day Mayhem: How adult-brood ratios shape ant relocation dynamics
Imagine you’re moving to a new house, and not only must you pack up all your belongings but also carry your children safely to the new home. Sounds stressful? For the Indian ant Diacamma indicum, this is pretty much their life story when they relocate their nest. A recent study in Myrmecological News shows that…
Field Notes: The Music of Mono Lake
I remember getting the acceptance email, offering me a position as a research assistant, on a late January night. It was the type of silence in the house you only achieve when the world is asleep…until I shouted in excitement and scared my brother who was sitting next to me. That was the first note…
Field Frame Friday: Ants know how to take a taxi!
The black cocoa ant (Dolichoderus thoracicus) is one of Southeast Asia’s most common and widely recognized arboreal ant species. Recently, they have also attracted attention as an invasive species in several Asian countries. What’s particularly interesting about the black cocoa ant is its unique breeding system, which involves multiple queens that aid the formation of…
Creature Feature: Haggis
Learn about the stunning true story of this marvel of the Scottish Highlands in the latest from Creature Feature!
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