Tag

Animalbehavior

All articles tagged with #animalbehavior

animals13 days ago•25 min saved

Wild Wheels: Dutch Study Finds Wild Animals Run in Nature

Dutch researchers placed a 24-cm wheel in a natural urban area and found wild mice were the main users (88% of wheel events), with rats, shrews, frogs, and even slugs also using it. Over more than three years they logged over 200,000 visits and 12,000 video clips, showing wheel running occurs in the wild and isn’t merely a captivity artifact. The study suggests wheel-running may reflect natural motivation—possibly metabolic reward, play, or exploration—and varies with season, with implications for how we view lab mice and animal welfare.

via zmescience.com|

#animalbehavior #animals #leidenuniversity

nature2 months ago•2 min saved

Rhino Charges: Short Bursts at Top Speed and How to Evade

Rhinos are massive but surprisingly fast over short distances: white rhinos top about 40 mph, black rhinos 35 mph, and Sumatran rhinos around 25 mph, though they tire after a few hundred meters. For people facing a charge, the practical advice is to avoid the encounter, use a solid obstacle to block the animal’s view, or, if unblocked, run in a zig-zag since rhinos struggle to pivot quickly; sometimes a calm, stationary stance can deter a bluffing charge. In short, outrunning a rhino isn’t realistic, but quick thinking and distance can improve your odds.

via BBC Wildlife Magazine|

#animalbehavior #nature #rhinos

world10 months ago•2 min saved

Magical Moments Unfold When Singing in Elephant Sanctuary

A musician's singing at Belgium's Pairi Daiza elephant sanctuary elicited a surprising and curious response from the elephants, who approached and engaged with the music, highlighting their sensitivity to sound and potential for musical interaction.

via AOL.com|

#animalbehavior #elephants #music

science1 year ago•3 min saved

Why Baboons Prefer Traveling in Straight Lines

Research on chacma baboons in South Africa reveals they travel in straight lines driven by social bonds and hierarchy, with higher-ranking individuals often in the middle and lower-ranking at the front or back, emphasizing the importance of social connections over protection or resource access.

via IFLScience|

#animalbehavior #baboons #grouptravel

science1 year ago•5 min saved

Capuchin Monkeys Engage in Bizarre Baby Kidnapping on Panamanian Island

Young male capuchin monkeys on Jicaron Island have developed a unique social tradition of kidnapping baby howler monkeys from their mothers, carrying them for days without apparent predatory intent, which has surprised scientists and offers new insights into primate social behaviors and cultural transmission.

via Stewartville Star|

#animalbehavior #behavioral-evolution #cross-species-kidnapping

science1 year ago•3 min saved

Humpback Whale Sets New Migration Record with 8,000-Mile Journey

A humpback whale has set a new migration record by traveling 8,106.4 miles from Colombia to the Zanzibar channel, marking the longest documented journey for the species. This unusual migration, which involved crossing three oceans and changing breeding grounds from the Pacific to the Indian Ocean, raises questions about the environmental and behavioral factors driving such long-distance travel. Researchers speculate that mating strategies, climate change, and increased competition for resources may be influencing these atypical movements. The study highlights the adaptability of humpback whales and their potential responses to environmental changes.

via Gizmodo|

#animalbehavior #environmentalchange #humpbackwhale

environment1 year ago

Siberian Tigers Reunite Across Vast Russian Forest

Two Siberian tigers managed to find each other despite being separated by 120 miles of Russian forest, highlighting the remarkable navigational abilities and strong instincts of these endangered animals.

via The New York Times|

#animalbehavior #environment #forests

science1 year ago•3 min saved

Record-Breaking Humpback Whale Swims 13,000km Across Oceans for Mating

A male humpback whale set a new distance record for the species by traveling 8,106 miles across three oceans, from Colombia to Zanzibar, in search of mating opportunities. This journey, documented through photographs and published in Royal Society Open Science, reveals that humpback whale migrations are more flexible than previously thought, as the whale interacted with multiple populations along the way. The study suggests that the whale's motivation was likely reproductive, influenced by environmental changes and increased competition among males.

via Yahoo! Voices|

#animalbehavior #ecology #humpbackwhale

technology1 year ago•1 min saved

AI-Powered Robo-Rats Blend Seamlessly with Real Rodents

Researchers in China and Germany have developed SMEO, a robot rat that mimics real rats through AI-driven behavior and physical adaptability, allowing it to interact convincingly with live rats. This innovation could revolutionize the study of animal behavior by reducing the need for live animal testing, offering a more ethical approach to research and potential applications in wildlife conservation.

via Hackaday|

#ai #animalbehavior #ethics

wildlife1 year ago

Orcas Master New Hunting Tactics Against Whale Sharks

Killer whales have been observed hunting whale sharks and consuming their livers, showcasing their sophisticated hunting techniques and dietary preferences. This behavior highlights the orcas' adaptability and intelligence in targeting specific prey for nutrient-rich organs.

via The New York Times|

#animalbehavior #killerwhales #marinebiology

science1 year ago

Unexpected Social Behavior in Pythons

Recent research reveals that pythons, traditionally considered solitary creatures, actually exhibit complex social behaviors. These findings challenge previous assumptions about reptilian social structures and suggest that pythons may form social bonds and interact with each other more than previously thought.

via The New York Times|

#animalbehavior #pythons #reptiles

science1 year ago•4 min saved

Unveiling the Unique Open-Ended Nature of Human Culture

New research by ASU's Thomas Morgan and Stanford's Marcus Feldman suggests that human culture is unique due to its 'open-endedness,' allowing for limitless accumulation and evolution of knowledge and behaviors. Unlike animal cultures, which also evolve but face constraints, human culture can continuously develop without stopping. This open-ended nature is proposed as the reason for human dominance over other species.

via SciTechDaily|

#animalbehavior #epigenetics #evolutionaryanthropology

science1 year ago•2 min saved

Scientists Uncover Why Wet Dogs Shake Themselves Dry

Researchers at Harvard Medical School have identified the neural mechanism behind the shaking behavior of wet dogs and other hairy mammals. By studying mice, they discovered that the Piezo2 gene and C-LTMRs mechanoreceptors are crucial for this behavior, which is triggered by stimuli like water or oils. The study mapped the sensory signal pathway from the skin to the brain, providing a detailed understanding of this natural drying tactic.

via Phys.org|

#animalbehavior #genetics #mechanosensory

science1 year ago

Can You Outpace a Vampire Bat?

A recent study suggests that vampire bats are faster than previously thought, challenging the myth that humans can easily outrun them. This new understanding of their speed and agility highlights the bats' efficiency as predators and may influence how we perceive their threat level.

via The New York Times|

#animalbehavior #mythbusting #predation

lifestyle-and-pets2 years ago•3 min saved

"Unveiling the Mystery of Catnip: Safety and Effects on Felines"

Catnip, a plant from the mint family, contains a chemical called nepetalactone that can cause a range of reactions in cats, such as euphoria and hyperactivity. While the effects are generally safe and can last from five to 15 minutes, not all cats respond to catnip, and their reactions can vary based on genetics and other factors. Catnip can also act as a mosquito repellent for cats. However, cat owners should consider the cat's well-being and not use catnip solely for entertainment, ensuring that cats have a quiet space to experience the effects if they choose to.

via IFLScience|

##animalbehavior #catnip