Birds Hiss Like Snakes to Protect Nests
Certain cavity-nesting birds emit a surprising hiss-like vocalization to deter predators and repel competitors from trying to occupy the same nesting cavity. It’s been hypothesized that that this hiss mimics a snake hiss – but is it a case of mimicry or evidence of widespread fear of hisses?
Read my latest Animal Minds post: Birds Hiss Like Snakes to Protect Nests.
Playful Meerkats Mirror One Another's Expressions
When two animals are play fighting, how do they avoid misunderstandings and communicate to one another that they’re not serious? One way meerkats do it is by making a special facial expression - and mimicking the facial expressions of their playmates.
Read the whole story at my Animal Minds blog: Playful Meerkats Mirror One Another's Expressions.