nature1.55 min read
Glacier National Park records first fatal bear attack since 1998
18 days ago•Source: The Guardian
Nature News
The latest nature stories, summarized by AI
Featured Nature Stories
View original source
6.375 min•27 days ago
Big Backyard Snakes: Nonvenomous Rodent Helpers in Your Garden
Black rat snakes can reach up to nine feet, are non-venomous constrictors, and are beneficial garden predators that help control rodent populations. They may hiss or coil to mimic rattlesnakes when threatened, but pose little risk to people or pets; bites are rare and typically minor if they occur. Size and growth vary with food availability and climate, making a healthy yard a good habitat for these snakes, which can reduce pest problems without human intervention.
More Top Stories
2
Close-Up Encounter: Blue Dragon Nudibranch Feeds on Venomous Prey
BBC Wildlife Magazine•2 months ago
3
Hedgerows and Orchards: a Slow Reclamation of an Upland Farm
The Guardian•2 months ago
More Nature Stories
Air-bubble armor lets alkali fly survive California's caustic Mono Lake
A BBC Wildlife feature explains how the alkali fly survives the toxic, salty waters of California's Mono Lake by living mostly underwater inside an air bubble, aided by a waxy, water-repellent cuticle; only its eyes touch the liquid, and it feeds on algae with grappling-hook claws, effectively wearing a natural armor for an extreme environment.
Earth's Giants: A Photo Tour of the World's Monumental Trees
A photo gallery spotlights the world’s most monumental trees, from the ancient, 5,000-year-old giants and the largest-volume General Sherman to towering redwoods, iconic baobabs, banyans, and other colossal specimens across continents, celebrating extreme size, age, and remarkable adaptations.
Cauliflower Coral Crown: A Mind-Bending Win for Close-Up Photographer of the Year
Australian photographer Ross Gudgeon won the grand prize at the Close-Up Photographer of the Year with an extreme close-up of a cauliflower-soft coral in Indonesia’s Lembeh Strait, captured using an underwater probe lens; the 7th edition drew over 12,000 entries from 63 countries across multiple macro and micro categories, highlighting tiny wonders from mayflies and stingless bees to moths and frogs in vivid, intimate detail.
Protective Moose Stops Bear Cub’s Attempted Prey on Calf
A viral wildlife clip shows a bear cub attempting to attack a moose calf in Alaska, but a protective 800-pound mother moose charges in and drives the cub away, rescuing her calf; experts note black bears prey on moose calves in some areas, and remind viewers to keep distance from moose mothers in the wild.
Bees Turn Up the Heat to Roast the Giant Hornet
BBC Wildlife explains how Japanese honeybees defend against the largest hornet by luring it into the hive and rapidly heating the surrounding air to about 46°C, roasting the intruder in a cooperative defense honed over millions of years on Honshu.
Spotted Lake: Canada's Colorful, Smelly Brine Pool Wonder
Spotted Lake in British Columbia is a mineral-rich soda lake known for its colorful, circular brine pools and cultural significance to the Okanagan Nation, with unique mineral crusts visible in summer and a history of mineral extraction for wartime use.
Global Marine Migrations: Impact of Climate Change on Longest Animal Routes
The article highlights some of the world's longest animal migrations, including the Arctic Tern's pole-to-pole journey of up to 59,000 miles annually, whale migrations between feeding and breeding grounds, and remarkable bird and insect flights across oceans and continents, illustrating the incredible endurance and adaptation of these species in connecting ecosystems worldwide.
The Hidden Charm of Mistletoe Beyond the Holidays
The article explores mistletoe's ecological role as a keystone species, its unique parasitic nature, cultural significance, and how it spreads through bird activity, highlighting its importance beyond festive traditions.
Top 6 Unusual Snow and Ice Formations in Nature
The article explores six unusual natural snow and ice formations, including brinicles, giant snowballs, snow rollers, penitentes, snow monsters, and pancake ice, highlighting their unique formation processes and the extreme conditions required for their creation.
Rare Piebald Cow Elk Sighted Near Cody
A rare piebald cow elk, characterized by its white and brown coloration due to a genetic recessive trait, was spotted near Cody, Wyoming. Such elk are extremely uncommon, with less than 1% of the population exhibiting this trait, and most do not survive to adulthood due to associated genetic deformities. The sighting of a healthy, young piebald elk is notable, and while the mutation affects skin and hair, it likely doesn't impact the meat.