Animals

Animals

An agile gecko found in India named after the legendary Jackie Chan

A hard-to-catch gecko species is named after martial artist Jackie Chan. Skin patterns, like one resembling a galaxy, inspire other newfound geckos’ names.

Animals

Barnacles are famed for not budging. But one species roams its sea turtle hosts

Once settled and glued to the substrate, adult barnacles stay put. But turtle barnacles upend this trend, sliding slowly across their reptilian rides.

Animals

Huge numbers of fish-eating jaguars prowl Brazil’s wetlands

Jaguars in the northern Pantanal ecosystem primarily feed on fish and caiman, living at densities previously unknown for the species.

Archaeology

Dog DNA reveals ancient trade network connecting the Arctic to the outside world

People in Siberia were exchanging canines and probably other goods as early as 7,000 years ago with cultures as far off as Europe and the Near East.

Anthropology

How catching birds bare-handed may hint at Neandertals’ hunting tactics

By pretending to be Neandertals, researchers show that the ancient hominids likely had the skills to easily hunt crowlike birds called choughs.

Animals

Giant ground sloths may have been meat-eating scavengers

Contrary to previous assumptions, at least one ancient giant ground sloth was a meat eater.

Paleontology

This is the oldest fossil evidence of spider moms taking care of their young

A spider trapped in amber 99 million years ago guarded her eggs and may have helped raise her young.

Animals

Bloodthirsty vampire bats like to drink with friends over strangers

Cooperation among vampire bats extends beyond the roost. New research suggests that bonded bats often drink blood from animals together.

Animals

Some birds learn to recognize calls while still in their eggs

For over a decade, behavioral ecologist Diane Colombelli-Négrel and colleagues have been studying how birds perceive sounds before hatching.

Agriculture

Potty-trained cattle could help reduce pollution

About a dozen calves have been trained to pee in a stall. Toilet training cows on a large scale could cut down on pollution, researchers say.

Animals

Mary Roach’s new book ‘Fuzz’ explores the ‘criminal’ lives of animals

In “Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law,” author Mary Roach profiles mugging monkeys, thieving bears and other animal outlaws.

Environment

50 years ago, chemical pollutants were linked to odd animal behavior

Fifty years after studies hinted that pollution interferes with how aquatic creatures communicate, scientists are still unraveling its myriad effects.