Some animals choose to live in environments that most species find completely inhospitable. In the case of these mountain goats – a term used loosely here to include Rocky Mountain Goats, Ibex, and other species of wild goats – climbing near-vertical cliffs suspended high above the ground is just part of daily life… These goats seek salt […] More
Electroblemma bifida, the 0.06″ bizarre armored spider recently discovered. Image by Paul Selden A new species of armored spider has been discovered after 99 million years encased in Burmese amber. The species existed during the late Cretaceous period and has been noted for its bizarre body armor and long, horned fangs. The spider has been added […] More
It turns out that T. rex wasn’t the only dinosaur with ridiculously tiny arms. Another dinosaur, not closely related to T. rex, evolved a similar body form with the characteristic teensy arms. Named Gualicho shinyae, this dinosaur is estimated to have been approximately the size of a polar bear, but with arms the size of a […] More
Can you spot the pygmy seahorse? Image: Bernard Dupont Animals that are low on the food chain, or those that hunt by sneaking up on their prey for a surprise attack, have got to find a way to blend in. These animals do so by displaying some of the most insane camouflage coloring on the planet. Can you […] More
A King Cobra, the world’s largest venomous snake, slithers along a Singapore street, looking for a bite to eat. This cobra is about three and a half meters long, and a snake eater. Preys on almost nothing else. Its generic name, Ophiophagus, means snake eater. But when it comes across a reticulated python, outside Nanyang […] More
These shells may look pretty, but you definitely don’t want to pick one up. Carnivorous cone snails are slow-moving creatures, so they’ve evolved a highly toxic venomous sting that paralyzes its prey instantly. Otherwise, the prey would swim away to die (and no one would benefit). The venom is delivered through a harpoon-like “tooth” that is […] More
Image: Peruvian Production Authority Authorities in Peru have seized an estimated 8 million illegally trafficked seahorses on a ship bound for Asia. Officials said that the dried seahorses are worth nearly $4 million. The seahorses were found in the hold of the ship while at port in Callao on June 7. The captain of the Chinese vessel […] More
Image: Eric Kilby A jaguar that was used as a prop in an Olympic torch relay event in Brazil was killed after escaping. The jaguar, named Juma, escaped from her handlers following the ceremony. Soldiers and veterinarians attempted to recapture the big cat, but were unsuccessful; Despite being sedated with a tranquilizer dart, she still managed to […] More
Fish cocaine and chips, anyone? Recently published research revealed that juvenile salmon caught in Puget Sound contained more than 80 different drugs including cocaine, valium, oxycontin, zoloft, prozac, and metformin (treatment for type-2 diabetes). In addition, compounds found in detergents, paints, pesticides, personal care products, and plastics were reported. Puget Sound water is not as pristine as it […] More
Image: Environmental Investigation Agency/Facebook Wildlife officials found forty dead tiger cubs in a freezer during a raid at a Buddhist temple in Thailand. The operation that began earlier this week is an effort to remove all living tigers from the temple after repeated allegations of wildlife trafficking and abuse. The tiger cubs were an incidental […] More
If you think rats were merely mindless pests, you might want to reconsider. According to a study, rats feel empathy and will go out of their way to get others out of a bad situation. The report published in Animal Cognition demonstrated that when rats saw their cagemates in a dire situation, in this case an unsafe area with water, […] More
A shark conservationist was filmed swimming with one of the ocean’s most feared predators, a great white shark. Ocean Ramsey, a Honolulu-based scientist and owner of the marine conservation website Water Inspired, said she created the video in hopes of changing minds and protecting sharks. She has every right to do so: Humans kill an estimated […] More
