Plants & Animals
14 articles in this section.
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…
Bullfrogs may have an antidote to deadly shellfish poisoning
In warm, sunny weather, certain marine algae along American coasts and elsewhere can flourish into harmful algal blooms, producing a substance known as saxitoxin. This neurotoxin is deadly…
Sad or afraid? Dogs may be able to read your face
Dogs may be even more attuned to people’s feelings than we think. Man’s best friend has a knack for knowing what humans are thinking, reading signs as subtle…
Too many choices complicate female frogs’ sex lives
It’s not just you. Frogs also get overwhelmed when confronted with too many options — and sometimes, they make bad decisions. Female Cope’s gray tree frogs (Hyla chrysoscelis)…
These underwater bones could solve a mystery about extinct giants
Some of the fossil fragments have lain hidden on cave floors for thousands of years. Credit: Steve Trewavas Bones recovered from underwater caves can provide an extraordinary record…