Plants & Animals
18 articles in this section.
Spines of saber-toothed cats tell a tale of the doomed species
Clues to saber-toothed cats’ demise are emerging from fossils entombed in California’s sticky La Brea Tar Pits. Fossils of the extinct predators preserved in tar reveal a diversity…
190-year-old DNA reveals a hidden pangolin species
Manis aurita, the newly designated species of pangolin. Credit: Tulshi Laxmi Suwal Pangolins look almost prehistoric. These medium-sized mammals, found only in Africa and Asia, have long, powerful…
Seals’ amphibious hearing developed a long, long time ago
Seals, sea lions and walruses — collectively known as pinnipeds — are the only mammals with excellent hearing both above and below the water. The evolution of this…
‘Forever chemicals’ could be aging dolphins beyond their years
Exposure to trace metals and “forever chemicals” may be prematurely aging dolphins, raising concerns about both marine pollution and human health impacts. Metals such as zinc and copper can wind up…
Elephants can relearn how to live wild after years in captivity
After decades in tourist camps and circuses, African elephants that were returned to the wild are behaving, in many respects, like elephants that were never captive. A new…
A new monkey species has been found deep in Congo’s forests
High in the forested canopy of Democratic Republic of Congo, an all-black monkey turned its back to a photographer’s camera. The partial image taken in 2008 revealed little…
Scientists tested 212 plant-based meat alternatives. Every one contained fungal toxins
Scientists found fungal toxins in every one of 212 plant-based foods and drinks tested. Credit: Shutterstock A large survey of plant-based foods and beverages sold in the UK…
‘Cheating’ birds change their tune
To avoid ending up with a less committed mate, some female birds listen for red flags in their suitor’s song. Male pied flycatchers change their song after mating,…
Naked mole-rat queens rule their colonies with a potent odor
Imagine a superhero whose power is releasing an odor so strong their enemies stop fighting. For naked mole-rats, such power lies with the queen. A potent compound allows naked mole-rat queens to control their colonies,…
Emperor penguin chicks like these starved. An iceberg may be the cause
An emperor penguin colony in Antarctica had a run-in with a grounded iceberg that may have led to a disastrous breeding season. On Coulman Island, which is home…