Animals & Plants

Wild bats show surprising cognitive abilities once thought exclusive to humans

Researchers at Tel Aviv University have discovered that wild Egyptian fruit bats possess high cognitive abilities previously believed to be unique to humans. This study,...

You don’t need to be perfect: New study shows animals use “good enough” strategies...

For decades, scientists have thought that animals, including humans, use the best possible strategy to complete tasks like finding food or navigating a maze. These...

World’s smallest elephants declared endangered: urgent action needed to save Bornean elephants

A newly confirmed subspecies of elephant, the Bornean elephant, has been listed as endangered, putting it at risk of extinction. These elephants are smaller than...

Scientists map the genome of the last wild horse species

Researchers from the University of Minnesota have achieved a significant milestone by mapping the complete genome of the Przewalski's horse, the last wild horse...

Underwater robots discover giant egg-brooding squid in deep sea

The deep sea is Earth's largest living space, but many of its inhabitants remain a mystery. Advanced underwater robots from the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research...

Pacific coast gray whales have become 13% shorter, shows study

Gray whales that feed along the Pacific Northwest coast have become 13% shorter over the past 20-30 years, according to a new study from...

Amazing new deep-sea creatures discovered in the Pacific Ocean

During a recent deep-sea expedition, scientists discovered a variety of incredible new species, including transparent sea cucumbers, bowl-shaped sponges, and pink sea pigs. The 45-day...

Giraffes’ long necks evolved for food, not fighting, new study finds

Why do giraffes have such long necks? A new study by Penn State biologists suggests that the answer lies in the need for food, not...

Natural solution for termite troubles: A greener, cheaper way to protect homes

Scientists at UC Riverside have discovered a new, nontoxic, and cost-effective method to lure and kill termites using a pleasant-smelling chemical called pinene. This groundbreaking...

Study reveals dogs’ incredible ability to detect tiny odor molecules

A new study by researchers from the University of Helsinki, the University of Eastern Finland, and Wise Nose–Scent Discrimination Association in Finland has shown...