Tag

Animal Behavior

All articles tagged with #animal behavior

science1 month ago•4 min saved

Bruce the NZ kea forges alpha status with a sword-like beak

Bruce, a New Zealand kea missing the upper portion of his beak, has learned to use his remaining straight lower beak like a weapon to dominate male rivals at Willowbank Nature Reserve. In a four-week study of nine males and three females, he led 36 combative interactions, secured feeder access on 83% of recorded days, and attracted preening from subordinate males, while showing the lowest stress markers among the group. The researchers highlight Bruce’s innovative problem-solving and note that disability did not prevent him from achieving alpha status, a finding compared to high-status individuals in primates, though long-term dominance remains uncertain.

via Australian Broadcasting Corporation|

#animal-behavior #captivity #disability

science1 month ago•2 min saved

Color-changing surgeonfish signals for a clean at the Great Barrier Reef

Diver Jamie Wilson filming the Great Barrier Reef captured hundreds of pale surgeonfish visiting a cleaning station, and one fish abruptly darkened from white to black. Scientists say such color changes may signal to cleaner wrasse that the fish is ready for a cleaning and not a threat, aiding parasite removal and communication in reef ecosystems.

via BBC Wildlife Magazine|

#animal-behavior #coral-reef #great-barrier-reef

science1 month ago•5 min saved

Beakless Kea Bruce Defies Disability by Jousting for Alpha

Bruce, a kea missing his upper beak, becomes the dominant male in his Willowbank Wildlife Reserve group by pioneering a beak-jousting technique, winning all 36 of his 162 documented male-male interactions, and prompting researchers to highlight keas' problem-solving and the welfare implications of prosthetics for disabled animals.

via Ars Technica|

#animal-behavior #kea #parrot

science2 months ago•3 min saved

First On-Camera Sperm Whale Headbutts Documented, Initiated by Young Whales

Researchers captured the first documented on-camera headbutts between sperm whales, observed in the Azores and Balearic Islands, showing that young whales initiate the behavior; the study, published in Marine Mammal Science, seeks to understand its function and invites others with footage to share.

via BBC Wildlife Magazine|

#animal-behavior #headbutting #marine-biology

science2 months ago•6 min saved

Bull Sharks Form Friendships, Revealing Hidden Social Lives

Over six years at Fiji's Shark Marine Reserve, researchers observed 184 bull sharks across 473 dives and 8,192 minutes of underwater observation, finding they form social bonds, synchronize movements (parallel swims), and engage in lead-follow behaviors, with females dominating associations, younger sharks being more social, and older sharks less so—implying bull sharks have complex social lives beyond the predator stereotype.

via CBC|

#animal-behavior #bull-sharks #fiji

science-tech2 months ago•11 min saved

Humans mirror animal preferences in mating calls, study finds.

A global experiment analyzed 110 sound pairs from 16 species (birds, frogs, insects, mammals) and found that about 4,000 human listeners tended to prefer the same calls animals use to attract mates. The stronger the animal preference, the more likely humans agreed, and participants were faster to pick the preferred sounds, suggesting shared neural processing in sound perception. The researchers note many questions remain, including why some humans still disagree and whether similar cross-species preferences exist for visuals or smells.

via The Conversation|

#animal-behavior #cross-species #nature-sounds

science2 months ago•5 min saved

Fiji bull sharks form surprising social networks

A six-year study of 184 bull sharks at Fiji’s Shark Reef Marine Reserve shows they have active, complex social lives. Researchers documented stable associations, lead-follow interactions, and parallel swimming, with adults forming the core of the network. Males tended to have more social connections than females, and social ties were strongest among similarly sized individuals. While socializing is common among adults, younger sharks are more represented in social activity likely to avoid predation, and older sharks appear less social overall. The researchers emphasize many questions remain about whether these sharks hunt or mate cooperatively, and more studies are needed to fully understand their social dynamics.

via The Washington Post|

#animal-behavior #bull-sharks #fiji

science3 months ago•2 min saved

Two-Tone Whinny: Horses Whistle While They Speak

A new study shows the horse’s neigh is a two-tone sound: a low-pitched voice-box vibration paired with a high-pitched whistle that escapes through a tiny opening. Researchers filmed inside horses’ noses and analyzed dead horses’ laryngeal tissues to confirm the dual mechanism, making horses the first known large mammals to whistle while they vocalize. The two frequencies may help convey multiple emotions or messages during social interactions.

via The Guardian|

#animal-behavior #horses #science

science3 months ago•4 min saved

Relentless Male Aggression on an Island Threatens Tortoise Extinction

On Golem Grad island in Lake Prespa, Hermann’s tortoises are outnumbered by males 19 to 1, leading to relentless harassment that injures females and drives some off the cliffs; enclosure experiments show even with an escape route, aroused males cause island females to fall, while mainland females avoid exits. Most island females show genital injuries and many are not pregnant, unlike mainland populations where all females are pregnant. Scientists warn this extreme sex bias could trigger an extinction vortex, with projections suggesting the last female could die around 2083.

via The New York Times|

#animal-behavior #extinction-risk #golem-grad

science4 months ago•3 min saved

Ingenious Cow Wields a Broom, Forcing a Reassessment of Cow Intelligence

An Austrian cow named Veronika learned to use a broom as a tool to scratch hard-to-reach areas, with researchers documenting 76 tool‑use instances across seven trial sessions. The finding challenges assumptions about cattle intelligence and suggests cows may be capable of innovative problem‑solving and tool use under stimulating conditions.

via The Guardian|

#animal-behavior #animal-intelligence #cows

science4 months ago•4 min saved

Primate same-sex behavior widespread, hinting at social roles in evolution

A Nature Ecology & Evolution study synthesizes data showing same-sex sexual behavior in 59 nonhuman primates (including bonobos, chimpanzees and macaques) with repeated instances in 23 species, suggesting such behavior helps reduce social tension, build bonds, and manage competition under environmental stress—driven by genetics and context rather than reproduction, though not all species are equally studied.

via NBC News|

#animal-behavior #evolution #primates

science-and-environment5 months ago•2 min saved

Top Wildlife and Nature Photos of 2025

The article showcases the best nature photography of 2025, highlighting stunning images of animal behaviors and unique plant features, including a male gobbleguts fish incubating eggs in its mouth, a caterpillar with a 'mad hatter' headgear, an orb weaver spider illuminated by city lights, and a fluorescing pitcher plant, all recognized in prestigious photography competitions.

via BBC|

#animal-behavior #nature-photography #oceanography

science5 months ago•3 min saved

Lab Mice in Nature: Shocking Results That Could Change Your Perspective

Research at Cornell University found that lab mice released into a natural, enclosed environment showed significantly reduced anxiety and more natural behaviors, suggesting that exposure to diverse experiences and environments can positively impact their mental health and potentially improve the reliability of scientific data. The study highlights the importance of environmental enrichment and may have implications for understanding human anxiety and well-being.

via Futurism|

#animal-behavior #anxiety #lab-mice

world5 months ago•2 min saved

Drunk raccoon causes chaos in Virginia liquor store

A raccoon in Virginia was found passed out in a liquor store after smashing bottles and getting drunk, highlighting raccoons' adaptability to urban environments and their tendency to scavenge alcohol, which is common in many ecosystems.

via The Guardian|

#animal-behavior #drunk #raccoon

science6 months ago•3 min saved

Yelling at Seagulls: The Surprising Way to Keep Your Food Safe

Research shows that shouting at seagulls is more effective than speaking softly or using bird songs to scare them away from food, suggesting that loud vocal deterrence can be a peaceful way to protect your picnic without harming the birds.

via Gizmodo|

#animal-behavior #bird-research #public-safety