Praying Mantids (Order Mantodea), like this Mediterranean Mantis* (Iris oratoria), are well-known for their awesome predatory strikes and cannibalistic tendencies. Our subject here is doing neither; based on its pupils, it appears to be simply watching the photographer. But wait—surely insects don’t actually have pupils like us… what are those black dots in its eyes?…
Creature Feature: Corn earworm
Lend an ear to hear about this creature’s bore-ing Thanksgiving!
Sunday Sketch: Terrific Turkey
The wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) is often synonymous with autumn in North America, with the males’ striking tail fans and blue and red heads being especially iconic. Despite their large size and nesting on the ground when incubating eggs, they are frequently found roosting in treetops. Art and fact by Isabel Kier, Instagram @izzy_does_art_sometimes [Edited…
Field Frame Friday: Diamonds in the marsh
Now that we’ve lured you in with a cute baby turtle, let’s talk about conservation and science! The Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) is a native of East Coast marshes and the only turtle in the United States to live in brackish water (a mix of fresh and salt water). They are surprisingly speedy swimmers and…
Field Notes: You Are What You Study
A gray day darkens as the hands of the clock march along. The intermittent drizzles are becoming steady and ever louder. I pace back and forth between frequent stops to look out the window, and my anticipation grows in parallel with the strength of the downpour. It’s nearly time to go. When the last light…
Creature Feature: Cuvier’s Beaked Whale
At first glance, the inky black depths of the ocean seem inhospitable and unwelcoming. The crushing weight of the waters above coupled with the undeniably freezing temperatures seem to serve as an unconquerable obstacle to large forms of life. However, there’s a cetacean species that thrives in these depths. With their ghostly pale faces braving…
Sci Hero: Dr. Eduardo Fernández-Duque
The Ethogram believes that science should be accessible and diverse in order to increase the sense of belonging within the science community. Each month we highlight a “Sci Hero” so the next generation of scientists and naturalists may be inspired.
Newsroom: How to measure chicken behavior accurately
Have you ever wondered how scientists determine what behaviors animals have ? It’s not as simple as just looking at them —especially when researchers are working with large groups of animals, like chickens. So, how do scientists accurately capture the behaviors they’re interested in ? The ideal method for measuring animal behavior accurately is a…
Science Heroes: Dr. Eduardo Fernández-Duque
It is the early 1970s in Argentina and the expansion of soybean cultivation and cattle ranching are leading to increasing deforestation rates. The Gran Chaco forest, an ecologically rich region spanning Argentina to Brazil, is especially affected and facing dramatic habitat loss [1]. Amidst this ecological crisis, there is a glimmer of hope as, though…
Sunday Sketch: Man’s Best Friend
Dogs have an excellent sense of smell, which they use to do multiple things such as detect food, find a suitable mate, and even sense human emotions such as happiness or fear. When exposed to the odor of human fear, dogs can become stressed. Art by Kristina Leslie, Instagram @tinaleslie_ & fact by Nicole Rodrigues,…
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