Articles for tag: animal behavior

Starlings helping out with ticks.

8 Amazing Ways Animals Communicate with Each Other

Anna Lee

Animals have developed incredible ways to connect with one another, using sounds, movements, and even smells. From the depths of the ocean to the tops of trees, communication plays a key role in their survival. Let’s explore eight fascinating ways animals “talk” to each other. 8. Singing Whales use hauntingly beautiful songs to communicate over ...

Trachops cirrhosus coffini

Bats Crack the Code: How They Learn to Dodge Poisonous Frogs

April Joy Jovita

Fringe-lipped bats (Trachops cirrhosus) have developed an extraordinary ability to eavesdrop on frog mating calls to locate prey. However, new research reveals that these bats must learn to distinguish between palatable and toxic frogs over time, refining their hunting strategies through experience. How Bats Use Frog Calls These bats rely on sound rather than visual ...

Capuchin

Capuchin Monkeys Develop Bizarre and Deadly ‘Baby Snatching’ Tradition

Jan Otte

A group of capuchin monkeys has evolved a terrifying new habit on a remote island off the coast of Panama: kidnapping young howler monkeys. What started as an anomaly, a single young man carrying an infant from another species has descended into a deadly “fad,” engulfing the group with no apparent benefit to the kidnappers ...

A koala sleeping in a tree with its eyes closed

Animal Sleep Patterns: Why Some Animals Never Seem to Sleep

Annette Uy

Sleep is a universal phenomenon observed across the animal kingdom, yet the way it is experienced varies widely. While humans generally require a solid block of uninterrupted sleep, many animals have developed unique sleep patterns, some of which may even suggest that they appear not to sleep at all. Understanding these diverse sleep behaviors offers ...

Wildlife conservationist interacts with a baby elephant at a riverbank reflecting conservation efforts.

The Impact of Human Activity on Animal Behavior and Evolution

Annette Uy

Humans and animals have coexisted for millennia, sharing spaces and resources, often influencing each other’s lives in profound ways. As the human footprint on the planet has expanded, our impact on animal behavior and evolution has become increasingly significant. Human activities, such as urbanization, deforestation, pollution, and climate change, are reshaping the way animals interact ...

Chinese Robot Whale Shark

Automating the Study of Animal Behavior with Robots and Sensors

Anna Lee

The study of animal behavior has traditionally relied on human observation and subjective interpretation. However, recent advancements in technology have paved the way for a more rigorous and detailed understanding of how animals interact with their environment. The integration of robots and sensors into this field has transformed behavioral studies, making them more precise, repeatable, ...

California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) in La Jolla (San Diego, California)

Ronan the Rhythm-Keeping Sea Lion Proves Precision Beyond Humans

April Joy Jovita

California sea lion Ronan has once again stunned scientists with her ability to keep a beat. First recognized in 2013 for her rhythmic precision, Ronan’s latest encore performance proves that her timing rivals—and even surpasses—that of humans. How Ronan Mastered Beat Synchronization   Unlike most animals, Ronan can adjust her head-bobbing to different tempos, demonstrating rhythmic ...

Gray Wolf

The Secret Life of Wolves: Understanding Their Behavior and Social Structure

Anna Lee

Often misunderstood and vilified, wolves have long captured the human imagination, sparking both fear and fascination. These intelligent and social animals live across North America, Europe, and Asia, forming complex societies that exhibit intricate behaviors. By delving into their social structures and behaviors, we can appreciate the essential roles wolves play in the ecosystems they ...

long-coated white dog

Can AI Talk Wolf? Inside Yellowstone’s High-Tech Wildlife Revolution

Jan Otte

The haunting cry of a wolf has rung out throughout Yellowstone for hundreds of years a cry that once disappeared from the park but now is a symbol of conservation achievement. Now, the same cry is opening up a new frontier in the study of wildlife, with the help of artificial intelligence. Through a first-of-its-kind ...

Meercats family looking

8 Survival Tactics Animals Use in Harsh Environments

Animals have evolved a myriad of strategies to survive in some of the planet’s most extreme environments. From scorching deserts to frigid polar regions, these creatures employ fascinating adaptations that enable them to find food, evade predators, and endure the elements. This article delves into eight survival tactics that different animal species use to thrive ...