Learning a New Language—One Way Birds Outsmart Predators
LEARNING A NEW LANGUAGE—ONE WAY BIRDS OUTSMART PREDATORS PICKS FOR YOU Fairy Wren Scientists have observed that some bird respond and free from danger when birds of a different species make a distress call. Birds make distress calls when they sight predators alerting other birds to flee. Until recently scientists though birds inherit the ability…
Read MoreThe Monarch, Milkweed, Human Triangle—How Important Is It?
THE MONARCH, MILKWEED, HUMAN TRIANGLE—HOW IMPORTANT IS IT? PICKS FOR YOU Monarch caterpillar on a milk plant Monarch Butterfly From spring to fall, monarchs breed throughout Canada and the U.S., producing several generations every year. Monarchs migrate between the northern and Mexico breeding grounds, and it takes several generations to complete the cycle. Several factors…
Read More11 Self Amputee Animals That Live Near You
11 SELF AMPUTEE ANIMALS THAT LIVE NEAR YOU PICKS FOR YOU Lizard Cryfish Some animals will not hesitate to self-amputate their legs, arms and even sex organs to survive. This phenomenon is rare among humans. Reported cases of self-amputation are rare, perhaps because excessive bleeding that can lead to death. The scientific name for self-amputation…
Read MoreWolf Spiders—How Do They Influence Climate Change?
WOLF SPIDERS—HOW DO THEY INFLUENCE CLIMATE CHANGE? PICKS FOR YOU Wolf spider The Arctic Tundra is teaming with life, including wolf spiders. The spiders eat many types of insects, but they eat other wolf spiders smaller than themselves when their population increases. The wolf spider’s favorite food is an arthropod called the springtails or Collembola.…
Read More3 Smart Ways Fruit Flies Guard Against Extinction
3 SMART WAYS FRUIT FLIES GUARD AGAINST EXTINCTION PICKS FOR YOU Fruit fly Black Fly Endoparasitic wasps deposit their eggs into fruit fly larvae. The eggs hatch inside the larvae and eat the fruit fly larvae inside out. The threat is so real to the fruit flies that when the flies sense the presence of…
Read MoreMating For Peacock Spiders: Why Is It A Life And Death Matter?
MATING FOR PEACOCK SPIDERS: WHY IS IT A LIFE AND DEATH MATTER? PICKS FOR YOU Peacock spider (male); Credit:Flickr—Jean and Fred Peacock spider (female); Credit: Wikimedia Commons Peacock spiders must impress a prospective mate, or they may get eaten. Male spiders are brightly colored and perform a weird dance and song to impress the female.…
Read MoreDid You Know the Good Side of the Velvet Ant’s Painful Sting?
DID YOU KNOW THE GOOD SIDE OF THE VELVET ANT’S PAINFUL STING? PICKS FOR YOU Velvet Ant Velvet ants, commonly referred to as red velvet ants, aren’t ants. They belong to the family of wasps comprising of over 3,000 members. The velvety appearance is due to tiny bristles that cover their body. The term “cow…
Read More9 Obscure Facts And Myths About Dragonflies and Damselflies
9 OBSCURE FACTS AND MYTHS ABOUT DRAGONFLIES AND DAMSELFLIES PICKS FOR YOU Fact: Dragonflies that lived 300 million years ago were frightening predators. They were the exact replicas of today’s dragonflies with wingspans of two feet plus in length. Myth: Damselflies are snake doctors and can bring back dead snakes back to life. It is…
Read MoreThe Shocking Truth About The Effect Of Pesticides on Bees
THE SHOCKING TRUTH ABOUT THE EFFECT OF PESTICIDES ON BEES PICKS FOR YOU Pesticides make honeybees and bumblebees dull-witted, less intelligent and prone to bad judgment according to a new study published by the British Ecological Society. Many do not understand the complex process bees go through to produce honey and pollinate flowers. Bee Work…
Read MoreWhy Does Summertime Rain Cause Ants to Misbehave?
ARE SOUNDS BIRDS MAKE MEANINGFUL TO OTHER BIRDS? PICKS FOR YOU Ants Ants do the least rational thing during summertime rains: they can make your car home without your permission. Your car offers the things ants like most during summertime rain. Ants look for shelter and warmth. Ants look for food sources. Ants are attracted…
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