The kinkajou is a carnivoran with some pretty unique adaptations…
Sunday Sketch: Ape Tails
Did you know that an infant #chimpanzee has a white tail tuft until it is about 3 years old? Gorilla infants have this white patch on their rumps too! It is still unclear exactly why these great apes would need this derrière protective peace flag as infants, although evolutionary theory has suggested that it might…
Field Frame Friday: Elephant friends
Forest elephants (Loxodonta cyclotis) unlike their cousins to the east spend the majority of their time deep in the thick Central African rain forests. Once thought to be the same species, forest and savannah elephants have been distinguished as different species due to a host of morphological and genetic differences (Roca et al., 2001). This…
Creature Feature: Hawaiian Monk Seal
Hawaiian monk seals are known as īlio-holo-i-ka-uaua, which means ‘dog that runs in rough water’…
Field Fiasco: Unleash the Bees!
Some of the greatest discoveries of how honey bee colonies work have been made using observation hives: glass-walled hives that allow scientists to monitor the activities of the colony. Setting up my observation hives in early April marked the true start of my field season. Coming into lab to greet, stare at, and admire my…
Creature Feature: Mimic octopus
The mimic octopus is a shape-shifting master of disguise, assuming the color and form of flounder, sea snakes, and lionfish…
Sunday Sketch: Ostrich Roar
Did you know? Similar to the tigers and lions, male ostriches can roar! This throaty roar is elicited during territorial encounters and is likely used to defend potential mates from intruders. Sketch contributed by Allison Lau Source: Bolwig, N. (1973). Agonistic and sexual behavior of the African Ostrich (Struthio camelus). The Condor, 75(1), 100-105.
Field Frame Friday: Mystery arthropods
Scientists estimate that up to 86% of eukaroytic species (Composed primarily of animals, plants, fungi) on land have not been described (Mora et al., 2011). There may be about 5.5 million species of insects, approximately 80% of which have not been described (Stork, 2018). The photo series shows some interesting looking insects and arachnids from…
Creature Feature: Cone snail
Cone snails have some impressive adaptations: not only is their toxin a great example of an anti-predator defense mechanism, but they also forage with a loaded harpoon…
Sunday Sketch: Whale Hearts
Unlike the urban legend that states a Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) heart is the size of a small car, their hearts are actually about 400 pounds (181 kilograms), or the size of a small golf cart. New research suggests that the proportion of heart size to body size can vary in mammals depending on their…
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