Animals

Aug 06, 2012 02:44 PM EDT

New bird species discovered in 'cloud forest' of Peru

A colorful, fruit-eating bird with a black mask, pale belly and scarlet breast has been discovered.

Aug 06, 2012 02:26 PM EDT

Airborne technology helps manage elephants

For years, scientists have debated how big a role elephants play in toppling trees in South African savannas.

Aug 03, 2012 02:26 PM EDT

Birds that live with varying weather sing more versatile songs

A new study of North American songbirds reveals that birds that live with fluctuating weather are more flexible singers.

Aug 03, 2012 11:49 AM EDT

Bears, scavengers count on all-you-can-eat salmon buffet lasting for months

Salmon conservation shouldn't focus on managing flows in streams and rivers or on preserving only places that currently have strong salmon runs.

Aug 02, 2012 02:27 PM EDT

Study Shows How Elephants Produce Their Deep 'Voices'

The same physical mechanism produces vocalizations in elephants and humans.

Aug 01, 2012 06:24 PM EDT

Critically endangered whales sing like birds; new recordings hint at rebound

When a University of Washington researcher listened to the audio picked up by a recording device that spent a year in the icy waters off the east coast of Greenland, she was stunned at what she heard: whales singing a remarkable variety of songs nearly constantly for five wintertime months.

Aug 01, 2012 05:38 PM EDT

Cuttlefish Deception

To fight off competition for a partner that it is courting, a male mourning cuttlefish transforms the half of its body not facing its would-be paramour to display female markings, while still displaying mating patterns with the side nearest her. This allows it to pretend it is not a rival to another nearby male while still covertly courting.

Aug 01, 2012 05:33 PM EDT

Hummingbird in the rain

Hummingbirds manage to maintain complete control over their aerial position, even when their tiny bodies are being hammered by raindrops.

Jul 24, 2012 11:47 AM EDT

Lonesome George Dead: Five Critically Endangered Animals (Slide show)

Following the death of Lonesome George and the extinction of the Pinta subspecies of the Giant tortoise last week, there's been a renewed push to save critically endangered species.

A new study suggests that the rhinoceros beetles depend on insulin levels for the growth of their horns. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons/ Anaxibia)

Jul 30, 2012 11:37 AM EDT

Insulin Controls Growth of Rhino Beetle's Horn

A new study suggests that the rhinoceros beetles depend on insulin levels for the growth of their horns.

Aging termites carry crystal pouches to defend from invaders. (picture for representation purpose only)Credit: Wikimedia Commons/ Althepal

Jul 30, 2012 11:35 AM EDT

Aging Termites Carry Suicide Backpacks to Defend from Invaders

Aging termites carry suicide packs to keep off attackers, according to a new study published in the journal Science.

Population of Australia’s feral camel has dropped by a quarter. (Photo: Reuters)

Jul 29, 2012 11:30 AM EDT

Feral Camel Population Drops by 250,000 in Australia

The population of Australia's feral camel has dropped by a quarter, but still remains the world's largest wild herd, according to a survey by the Australian Feral Camel Management Project (AFCMP).