A Tiny Reef Fish Can Recognize Itself in a Mirror
When chimpanzees and elephants pass this classic test, they are said to have self-awareness. Can we say the same for a fish?
Stories by Jason G. Goldman
Different Humpback Whale Groups Meet to Jam
Humpback populations from the Atlantic and Indian oceans meet up south of Africa and trade song stylings.
What Birds Can Teach Us about Flying Robots
Modeling the physics of bird jumping is helping engineers make more mobile machines
Killer Whales and Chimpanzees Have Similar Personalities
Animals of both species can be assessed using many of the “big five” factors used to describe humans
Do-Gooders Should Survey Communities First
Detroit residents declined an offer of free street trees—but were more willing to accept them if they had a say in the type of tree. Jason G. Goldman reports.
Simple Genetic Mutation Helped Humans Become Endurance Runners
Mice with the human version of a gene can run for longer without becoming fatigued
Colorful Peacocks Impress Females with Good Vibes
Peafowls' head crests are specifically tuned to the vibrations produced by feather-rattling male peacocks, thus acting as a sort of antenna. Jason G. Goldman reports.
Frog Picks Maternity Ward Like Goldilocks
The Bahia's broad-snout casque-headed tree frog needs a pool to raise its young that's just right.
Little Aphids Ride Big Ones to Safety
When trouble lurks, juvenile aphids drop off of the plants they're eating and hitch a ride on bigger aphid escapees.
Wild Songbirds Can Pick Up New Tunes
Researchers taught two dozen wild sparrows new songs, by playing them the recordings of sparrows that live thousands of miles away. Jason G. Goldman reports.
Highway Crossings Protect Migrating Pronghorns—and Motorists
Twice a year, thousands of pronghorn antelope and mule deer migrate through Wyoming, and newly built highway crossings are sparing the lives of animals—and motorists. Jason G. Goldman reports.
Birds of a Feather Fight Germs Together
Tropical African birds have greater immunity to certain pathogens than northern or migratory ones
Hurricane Is a Natural Selection Experiment
When Hurricane Irma blew through the Turks and Caicos, lizards with shorter hindlimbs lucked out. Jason G. Goldman reports.
Crickets Carve Tools to Amplify Their Chirps
The insects fashion and use "baffles"—sound controllers—made of leaves to produce sound more efficiently. Jason G. Goldman reports.
Living on the Edge: Wildfires Pose a Growing Risk to Homes Built Near Wilderness Areas
Building houses at the edge of the wilderness increases the danger of catastrophic blazes
Some Crows Hit On Dead Companions
About 5 percent of crows will attempt to copulate with other crows that have joined the choir invisible.
Mammals Moonlight around Human Settlements
A study of human–mammal interaction across the globe found animals are more prone to take to the night around humans. Jason G. Goldman reports.
City Life Favors Downsized Invertebrates
Most invertebrates get smaller on average in cities, although a few very mobile species respond to urbanization by growing.
Hippo Dung Fouls Up Freshwater Fisheries
Hippo poop is piling up in Tanzania’s freshwater fisheries—which is bad news for biodiversity, and deleterious for the dinner plate. Jason G. Goldman reports.
Pinnipeds Don't Appreciate Biped Disturbance
Sea lions and fur seals in Uruguay have become a tourist attraction—but the animals have become less, not more, accepting of humans. Jason G. Goldman reports.
