The rough-skinned newt may be cute, but it certainly isn’t cuddly – thanks to a potent poison on its skin.
Field Frame Friday: Parasitism in the rainforest
While we often don’t consider them, parasites are a common occurrence in the natural world. Here, it might just look like an unidentified snail from Kahuzi-Biéga National Park, D.R. Congo, but if you look closely, you’ll see a minuscule wasp on the snail (circled in frame). It is unclear if this is a parasitoid wasp…
Creature Feature: Ocean sunfish
Coolest fish in the ocean? Sunfish researchers are pushing for the evolutionary-unique sunfish to gain the unofficial title of “coolest ocean fish.”
Sunday Sketch: Monkey Mountain
In Kowloon and New Territory, Hong Kong, over 1000 free-ranging Rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) and Long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) live just minutes from the busiest part of the city! These daring monkeys relax in the middle of roads, on overpasses, and on top of bus stops. Their charming personalities and surprising location have made these…
Field Frame Friday: Resident sharks
The great hammerhead (Sphyrna mokarran) is a seasonal resident of Bimini, Bahamas during the winter months. This is the largest species of hammerhead shark, reaching lengths of up to 20 feet. They are easily identified by their characteristic hammer-shaped heads, or cephalofoils, which may help them search for prey found under the sand (Kajiura, 2001)….
Lone Wolves, Angry Beavers, and Busy Bees: The connections among sociality, personality, and the organization of work
Let’s imagine that you’ve achieved the millennial dream and your new Etsy shop has begun to really take off. Apparently, your idea of making jewelry out of recycled fidget spinners really resonates with people. Up until now you’ve worked alone to run your business: you design the products, you make the jewelry, you handle advertising,…
Sunday Sketch: Gecko Toes
If you have ever been in the tropics and seen a gecko crawl effortlessly across your ceiling, you may have asked yourself, how do they do that? Contrary to popular belief, gecko toes aren’t sticky, but in fact utilize electromagnetic attraction between microscopic toe hairs called setae, and the fine contours of the walls and…
Field Notes: Chickens wear backpacks!
Whenever I tell people that I research chicken behavior and welfare, I usually receive two types of responses: 1) Raised eyebrows coupled with a disinterested “Huh… As long as it makes you happy, I guess” or 2) “So what kind of eggs should I be buying?” I prefer the latter, but I have to be…
Creature Feature: Greater racket-tailed Drongo
When exploring the forests of Asia, you may encounter some peculiar looking birds with forked tails who are singing whacky songs. Although they come in many shapes, sizes, and colors, the culprit of your curiosity could very well be a Drongo. Drongos are a family of birds that can be found from the Himalayan mountains…
Sunday Sketch: Marmoset Fathers
Even among nature’s best dads, some are better than others! Marmoset dads who respond to infant distress calls quickly and early in their offspring’s life are more likely to have offspring that survive beyond 30 days and are also more likely to gain weight quicker than babies of less attentive dads. Researchers indicate this comes…
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