Animals
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AnimalsThe Ice Age was harsh on orcas
Killer whale DNA shows that climate change resulted in declines for most populations.
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Health & MedicineBad kitty: Cat bites can cause nasty infections
Three in 10 patients seeking treatment for hand bites were hospitalized, study finds.
By Nathan Seppa -
AnimalsEmbryos in eggs move to get comfy
Even before hatching, Chinese alligators, snapping turtles and some relatives can shift toward favorable temperatures.
By Susan Milius -
EarthAmmonite jaws provide a window into ancient climate
Temperature of marine environment can be determined from cephalopod fossils.
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PaleontologyRivers of rock and gas froze ancient animals in time
Ancient Chinese fossil beds were preserved by high-speed rivers of volcanic rock and gas.
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AnimalsCane toads can handle the cool
The invasive amphibians may be able to spread farther across Australia than previously thought.
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AnimalsFungi threaten sea turtle nests
The pathogens can kill up to 90 percent of eggs in a single nest.
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AnimalsDisco clams put on a streak show
Scuba divers call Ctenoides ales the disco or electric clam because the restless, curling lips of its mantle flash bright streaks.
By Susan Milius -
AnimalsSynchronous birth
For young banded mongoose moms, there’s only one choice for when to give birth — the same day as older, dominant mothers. In communities of these cat-sized animals, all females give birth together, no matter when they became pregnant.
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AnimalsWhen snakes fly
A gliding snake gets some lift by spreading its ribs, but much about its flight remains a mystery.
By Susan Milius -
PlantsSexually deceived flies not hopelessly dumb
Pollinators tricked into mating with a plant become harder to fool a second time.
By Susan Milius -
AnimalsWindows may kill up to 988 million birds a year in the United States
Single-family homes and low-rise buildings do much more damage than skyscrapers.
By Susan Milius