The story of a cutting edge science project, in which solar-powered trackers map the movements of creatures, brims with charming anecdotes, serial frustrations and ‘blue sky’ plans.
Elephants have close social bonds, which may have led to the evolution of name-like calls.
Michael Pardo
Humans aren’t the only animals that have names for each other − and studying animals that use names can teach researchers more about how human names evolved.
A goat with an arrow wound nibbles the medicinal herb dittany.
O. Dapper
Like all people, the way scientists see the world is shaped by biases and expectations, which can affect how they record and report. Rigorous research methods can minimize this effect.
Birds use light as a cue, so what happens when it gets dark during the day?
AP Photo/Hassan Ammar
Since an eclipse only lasts a few minutes, you need more than just a handful of scientists running around collecting data on bird activity. That’s where a new app comes in.
What makes us human? Greek and Roman thinkers were preoccupied with this question. And some of their observations of animals foreshadowed recent findings in the behavioural sciences.
Only one of these guys deserves to be in timeout.
Wild Horse Photography/Moment via Getty Images
Rapidly changing temperatures and sensory environments are challenging the nervous systems of many species. Animals will be forced to evolve to survive.
When wild animals survive the initial trauma, blood loss and infection risk without medical help, it’s astonishing that they can adapt to life with three limbs.
Rhesus macaques are known for harassing people in New Delhi, where the G20 summit is being held, so authorities are taking action – but is it the right action?
Professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and the Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, University of California, Los Angeles