What's a Narwhal's Tusk For?
Although the tusk can be a weapon, the variation in tusk size among animals of similar body size points to it being primarily a mating status signal.
Stories by Jason G. Goldman
Coyotes Eat Everything from Fruits to Cats
The diets of coyotes vary widely, depending on whether they live in rural, suburban or urban environments—but pretty much anything is fair game.
Sick Vampire Bats Restrict Grooming to Close Family
When vampire bats feel sick, they still engage in prosocial acts such as sharing food with nonrelatives. But they cut back on grooming anyone other than their closest kin.
Blood Ties: Vampire Bats Build Trust to Become Food-Sharing Pals
New research examines how the animals begin close, blood-sharing partnerships
Burned Habitats Benefit Bats
Bats proliferate in forests thinned by fire
Pablo Escobar’s Hippos Could Endanger Colombian Ecology
Hippos that escaped from drug kingpin Pablo Escobar’s private zoo are reproducing in the wild. And with increasing numbers, they could threaten ecosystems.
Indigenous Lands Ace Biodiversity Measurements
Across the board, indigenous-managed regions equal or surpass conventional conservation areas
Facts about Groundhogs Other Than Their Poor Meteorology
Groundhogs are less accurate at weather forecasting than are coin flips, but they are nonetheless pretty interesting critters.
Citizen Scientists Deserve Journal Status Upgrade
Here’s an argument that citizen scientists deserve co-authorship on scientific journal papers to which they contributed research.
Implanting Memories in Birds Reveals How Learning Happens
Researchers activated specific brain cells in zebra finches to teach them songs they’d ordinarily have to hear to learn.
More Grazing Leads to Fewer Fires in the Serengeti
Beneficial blazes are critical to maintaining the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem, but animals are eating the fuel
Migrating Birds Provide Surprising Snacks for Sharks
Meticulous work reveals the identity of sharks’ feathered prey
The Nature Cure
Mind and body benefit from two hours in nature each week
Mind and Body Benefit from Two Hours in Nature Each Week
People who spent at least two hours outside—either all at once or totaled over several shorter visits—were more likely to report good health and psychological well-being. Jason G...
Monkeys Use Alarm Calls to Tell Predators to Scram
New research shows that primate calls deter predators in the wild
Hyena Society Stability Has Last Laugh
Female hyenas keep their clans in line by virtue of their complex social networks. Jason G. Goldman reports.
Urban Coyote Evolution Favors the Bold
Coyotes become fearless around people in just a few generations—which isn’t good for their longterm co-existence with humans in cities. Jason G. Goldman reports.
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?
Different Humpback Whale Groups Meet to Jam
Humpback populations from the Atlantic and Indian oceans meet up south of Africa and trade song stylings.
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
