Articles for author: Annette Uy

Annette Uy

The Battle to Save the Hawaiian Crow: A Bird With a Tool Belt

The Battle to Save the Hawaiian Crow: A Bird With a Tool Belt

Imagine a bird so clever it crafts its own tools, a feathered genius whose very existence teeters on the edge of extinction. The Hawaiian crow, or ‘Alalā, isn’t just another pretty bird in paradise. It’s a symbol of intelligence, resilience, and the fierce struggle against the odds. Once a vibrant presence in Hawaii’s forests, this ...

Annette Uy

How Bats Evolved Radar – Celebrating International Bat Appreciation Day

How Bats Evolved Radar – Celebrating International Bat Appreciation Day

Imagine gliding through a pitch-black forest at midnight, dodging branches and catching tiny insects in midair—without using your eyes. For bats, this is reality every single night. Their secret? An evolutionary marvel that seems almost like science fiction: biological radar, known as echolocation. On International Bat Appreciation Day, let’s dive into the astonishing story of ...

Annette Uy

Whales Have Tiny Leg Bones—Because Their Ancestors Walked on Land

Whales Have Tiny Leg Bones Because Their Ancestors Walked on Land

Imagine looking at a majestic blue whale gliding effortlessly through the ocean, the largest animal on Earth. Now, picture that same creature’s distant ancestor, not swimming, but walking on four legs across ancient riverbanks. It sounds almost unbelievable, but it’s true: whales, the giants of the sea, carry inside them a tiny, hidden clue to ...

Annette Uy

Tracking Endangered Species With GPS, Satellites, and Tiny Sensors

Tracking Endangered Species With GPS, Satellites, and Tiny Sensors

Imagine a world where the silent disappearance of endangered animals would go unnoticed—where the last songbird in a forest, the final snow leopard in the mountains, or the remaining whales in the ocean could simply vanish without anyone realizing. Today, thanks to astonishing advances in technology, we no longer have to guess about these precious ...

Annette Uy

The Physics of Sand Dunes That ‘Boom’ Like Thunder

The Physics of Sand Dunes That ‘Boom’ Like Thunder

Imagine standing in the heart of a sun-scorched desert. The wind hushes, the world holds its breath, and suddenly, a deep, thunderous boom rolls across the sand—so startling and powerful, it seems as though the earth itself is speaking. This explosive sound isn’t a trick of your imagination or a distant storm. Instead, it’s a ...

Annette Uy

The Crabs That Carry Their Homes—And Sometimes Decorate Them

The Crabs That Carry Their Homes—And Sometimes Decorate Them

Imagine wandering through a tide pool, your eyes tracing the mysterious shapes hidden in the sand and seaweed. Suddenly, a shell moves—not with the gentle push of a wave, but with purposeful intent. It’s not a shell at all, but a crab carrying its home on its back, sometimes flaunting a flamboyant collection of decorations. ...

Annette Uy

Whales Have Regional Accents—and They Can Change Their Songs

Whales Have Regional Accents—and They Can Change Their Songs

Imagine plunging into the vast blue ocean, where the only sounds you hear are haunting melodies echoing for miles. Now picture those songs not just as random noises, but as complex, evolving dialects—each unique to a particular pod, each carrying secrets of identity, connection, and even revolution. Whales, the gentle giants of the sea, don’t ...