The Social Genius of Animals
Research shows that animals interact in amazingly sophisticated ways
Stories by Katherine Harmon Courage
![Watch a Wasp Take Control of a Cockroach's Brain [Video]](/sciam/cache/file/C09C6730-3716-456B-A150A2DE4C316902_small.png)
Watch a Wasp Take Control of a Cockroach's Brain [Video]
A video captures the dark side of insect mind control
Childhood Cancer Risk Hides in Families
Genome study finds mutations passed on from parents are linked to at least one in 12 cancers in kids
Animals Have More Social Smarts Than You May Think
New research reveals that animals interact in surprisingly sophisticated ways
Octopus Genome Reveals Secrets to Complex Intelligence
The largest invertebrate genetic code unleashes clues to camouflage, suckers, evolution
Treating Koala STDs May also Quash Their Essential Gut Microbes
Koalas rely on specialized bacteria to digest eucalyptus, but antibiotics to stop sexually transmitted infections might be killing the microbes off
Gut Microbes May Help Determine Our Immune Response to Vaccines
New studies find the type, number and diversity of bacteria could influence vaccine response rates for rotavirus, tetanus and more in kids
Humanoid Robo-Clerk Not Fooling Shoppers Just Yet
A lifelike, if stilted, robot makes her debut at a Japanese department store, while a smaller bot is ready to answer questions at a local bank
Fiber-Famished Gut Microbes Linked to Poor Health
While probiotics receive more attention, key fibers remain the workhorses in maintaining a healthy gut microbiome
The Social Genius of Animals
New research reveals that animals interact in surprisingly sophisticated ways
![Farewell from Octopus Chronicles—And an Ode To a Tool-Wielding Octopus [Video]](/blogs/cache/file/BCCC6141-EEA0-4BE1-AE8419B88E76545A_small.png)
Farewell from Octopus Chronicles—And an Ode To a Tool-Wielding Octopus [Video]
Today, after more than three years, I must bid farewell to Octopus Chronicles on ScientificAmerican.com. It has been a wild, weird, and fun run.
Octopus Genome Remains Elusive—But Full of Promise
As many mysteries as the octopus holds—its comprehensive camouflage, smart suckers, agile brain—its genome is surely holding many more (including how it can regenerate its arms—suckers, nerves and all).
There Are Plenty of Octopuses In the Sea—Or Are There?
First a moment to celebrate Octopus Chronicles‘ 100th post! Little could I have imagined when I started this blog in November 2011 that there would be so much amazing octopus research to cover—and so many wonderful readers.
7 Surprising Things Penguins of Madagascar Gets Right about Octopuses—and 4 It Gets Wrong
It’s not very often that a movie comes out that features an octopus as one of the main (speaking) characters. (And they only occasionally become the star of a video game.) So if you wouldn’t mind indulging me for a brief detour into animation territory, let’s see what Hollywood gets right (and wrong) about this [...]
Rare Octopuses Get Their Close-Up
There are some 300 known species of octopus. From the huge giant Pacific octopus (Enteroctopus dofleini) to the tiny poisonous blue-ringed octopus (genus Hapalochlaena), from the shallow-water mimic octopus (Thaumoctopus mimicus) to the deep-sea Dumbo octopus (genus Grimpoteuthis).
![Soft Octopus Escape—and Paperback Octopus! Release [Video]](/blogs/cache/file/DD7DB2CD-C107-4AC1-B938037F9A8B4EE2_small.jpg)
Soft Octopus Escape—and Paperback Octopus! Release [Video]
Octopuses long ago shed their ancestors’ protective shells in favor of a slinkier, floppier, softer existence. They were perhaps never meant to be held down by hard covers.
Octopus Play and Squid Eyeballs—and What They Can Teach Us about Brains
For cannibals, octopuses seem to be surprisingly fun loving. Some have been observed using their funnels to repeatedly blow objects around in their tanks.
![Mistaken Octopus Sex Identity Leads to Multi-Armed Wrestling Match [Video]](/blogs/cache/file/D16E8DA8-0D40-4AEB-B212B50F99BE069E_small.jpg)
Mistaken Octopus Sex Identity Leads to Multi-Armed Wrestling Match [Video]
The octopus, by in large, practices very safe sex. You would, too, if you and the object of your affection were both cannibals. But the algae octopus (Abdopus aculeatus) has developed a relatively sophisticated mating system that involves far more close contact than many other octopus species.
![New Material Could Mimic Octopuses' Camouflage [Video]](/blogs/cache/file/078C1641-AF25-4B99-B44C90284ABEE8FA_small.jpg)
New Material Could Mimic Octopuses' Camouflage [Video]
It’s no doubt that, with a repertoire of everything from colorful coral to a poisonous sea snake, the octopus could win any costume contest handily.
Hospitals Need Time, Training to Get Ready for Ebola
New Ebola guidelines for hospitals may help, but workers need training and support to be adequately prepared for new cases
