Articles for author: Maria Faith Saligumba

Close up of three viviparous lizards Zootoca vivipara resting on a fallen log in an Estonian forest.

Some Lizards Can Reproduce Without Males

Maria Faith Saligumba

Imagine a world where mothers don’t need fathers to create life—a world where females alone carry the spark of the next generation. It sounds like something out of a science fiction novel or a myth whispered in ancient times. Yet, for some extraordinary lizards, this is not just a possibility—it’s a remarkable reality. In the ...

A stunning portrait of an African elephant at sunset near a serene riverbank.

Elephants Can’t Jump—And That’s a Feature, Not a Flaw

Maria Faith Saligumba

Imagine a world where the largest land mammal roams the earth, majestic and powerful, yet unable to perform one of the simplest actions we often take for granted: jumping. Yes, elephants can’t jump, and while this might seem like a limitation, it’s actually a fascinating adaptation that has served them well through the ages. This ...

A breathtaking view of the ocean at sunset, with dramatic clouds and sunrays breaking through, creating a serene seascape.

The Ocean’s Oxygen Minimum Zones and the Life That Thrives There

Maria Faith Saligumba

Imagine a place deep in the ocean where oxygen is so scarce that most life forms would struggle to survive. Yet, in these seemingly inhospitable areas, known as Oxygen Minimum Zones (OMZs), life not only exists but thrives in a fascinating array of adaptations. This paradoxical world beneath the waves is a testament to nature’s ...

Tunnel.

The Tunnels Beneath the Border: Not for Smuggling, But for Water and Waste

Maria Faith Saligumba

Beneath the bustling world above, a hidden network of tunnels stretches across borders, not for the shadowy purposes one might first imagine, but for the vital, life-sustaining functions of water and waste management. These subterranean arteries are the unsung heroes of modern infrastructure, working tirelessly to support the communities above them. Imagine a world where ...

a couple of animals that are standing in the grass

How Feral Hogs Became an Ecological Crisis Bigger Than Texas

Maria Faith Saligumba

Imagine a creature so adaptable and destructive that it has become an ecological nightmare, a menace that even the vastness of Texas struggles to contain. Feral hogs, with their relentless appetite and cunning survival skills, have become an ecological crisis that stretches far beyond the Lone Star State. These creatures are not just a nuisance; ...