Wild Things
The weird and wonderful in the natural world
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Plants
Marsh grass masquerades as a native species
The abundant cordgrass found in South American marshes may actually have invaded the region more than two centuries ago, a new study concludes.
- Animals
Wildfires are an unexpected threat to California condors
Lead poisoning remains a threat to California condors, but a new review finds that wildfires may also be a danger to the big birds.
- Animals
As panda baby grows, mom’s milk changes
In the first month after a mama panda gives birth, her milk changes in composition, a new study finds.
- Animals
Invasive species may be great snacks for predators
The arrival of a new food source can benefit predators, a new study finds. But if there are no native species around to eat, it’s a different story.
- Animals
Ecotourism could bring new dangers to animals
The presence of kindly tourists could make animals more vulnerable to predation and poaching, a new study warns.
- Animals
How the giraffe got its long neck
A new study of fossils suggests that the giraffe’s defining feature may have started evolving long before modern giraffes came on the scene.
- Animals
What happens to animals in a hurricane?
Hurricanes can be devastating to animals on land and in the sea, but they can also provide opportunities.
- Animals
Some seabirds will be hit hard by sea level rise
Seabird species that nest on low-lying islands in stormy winter months could see huge losses as sea levels rise, a new study finds.
- Animals
Life in the polar ocean is surprisingly active in the dark winter
The Arctic polar winter may leave marine ecosystems dark for weeks on end, but life doesn’t shut down, a new study finds.
- Animals
How to see sea turtles — without bothering them
Sea turtles come out of the water to lay eggs on beaches. It’s a great time to see the reptiles — if you know what you are doing.
- Animals
Blue-footed boobies dirty their eggs to hide them from predators
Blue-footed boobies lay bright white eggs on the ground. Dirtying the eggs camouflages them against gulls, a new study finds.
- Animals
Why we need predators
It might be easy to say that we should wipe out species that can kill us. But the effects of such action would be far ranging.
