Untangling the Mystery of How Fido Became Humankind's Best Friend
New DNA-based research suggests dogs were domesticated in a single event, in contrast with a previous hypothesis
Stories by Jason G. Goldman
Acreage of Pristine Landscapes Declined Significantly So Far This Century
Logging, agriculture, mining and fires recently have eliminated a larger chunk of vast expanses of forests or naturally treeless ecosystems than you might think
Mysterious Bear Dance Explained
Brown bears paw the ground to leave one another smelly messages
Does Your Pooch Love You?
The answer may surprise you
Recognizing "Mom" Works in Only One Eye at a Time in These Animals
Memories for birds might be stored in only one of two hemispheres, which could bring advantages
African Penguins Pulled into an Ecological Trap
Climate change and overfishing have made the penguins’ feeding grounds a mirage—which has led to a drop in penguin population. Jason G. Goldman reports.
Guppy Groups Provide Friendly Protection against Foes
Guppies exposed to predators tend to aggregate into smaller, more tightly knit groups, which may allow them to coordinate their predator avoidance strategies. Jason G. Goldman reports.
Hawaiian Crows Ready for the Call of the Wild
The critically endangered birds have done well in captive breeding, meaning they may be ready once more for wild living, and the repertoire of calls associated with it. Jason G. Goldman reports.
A Humble Fish with a Colorful Edge
The cichlid, a small fish, has one of the most incredible visual systems known—which allows it to adapt to differently colored environments. Jason G. Goldman reports.
Bird Feeders Attract Bird Eaters, Too
Some predators are attracted to the food in bird feeders, and end up targeting nestlings, too. Jason G. Goldman reports.
Tomorrow's Criminal Justice
Untapped human abilities and new technologies could identify criminals and fight crime
The Remarkable Timing of Seals
Some marine mammals can compare time periods and sense milliseconds of difference
Weakest Piglets May Sneak Help from Strongest Siblings
If a weak piglet positions itself next to a strong sibling while feeding, it may get some extra nutrition from inadvertently stimulated mammary glands.
Bats Learn to Take White-Nose Punch
In areas where the white-nose syndrome fungus has been around for awhile, little brown bats seem to have found a way to limit the disease damage.
Animals Have Personalities, Too—Which Fade Away in Group Situations
The persona of some fishes bends to conform to group dynamics, but it ultimately remains constant
Can a Rosy Outlook Ward Off Illness?
A study of white female nurses found those who were more optimistic were a third less likely to die of any cause
Lions are the Brainiest of the Big Cats
They can solve puzzles that solitary leopards and tigers can’t—evidence that sociality promotes high-level cognition
Orangutan Picks Cocktail by Seeing Ingredients
An orangutan matched researchers' predictions about which mixed beverage he would choose based on his relative fondness for the separate ingredients.
For River Otters, Social Life Is Shaped by the Latrine
Alaskan river otters can gain valuable information about one another by sniffing around their latrines. Jason G. Goldman reports.
Polar Bears Can't Just Switch to Terrestrial Food
With a shorter season of sea ice, polar bears have less access to marine mammals. But switching to a terrestrial diet deprives them of the fatty seal meals they need to thrive.
