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.
Why are Some Wild Cats Black?
Black coloring is common in cats, from domestic kitties to leopards and jaguars. The persistence of this genetic trait in wild populations suggests it confers some advantage. But new research indicates it’s more of an evolutionary balancing act.
The occurrence of black coloring, also known as melanism, arises from a genetic mutation that regulates the production of the pigment melanin. These melanistic cats are the same species as their lighter-coated counterparts; it’s similar to the difference between brunettes and blondes.
Melanism has been documented in 14 out of the 40 wild species of cats. Scientists have suggested that melanism could be associated with factors such as camouflage, thermoregulation, and habitat use. Now, new research points to another factor: visual communication with other cats.
Read my latest Nat Geo news story: Is Being a Black Panther Beneficial? It Depends.
Vampire Bat Friendships
Mutual grooming and blood regurgitation form the basis of vampire bat friendships, which can last for years. And new research shows that relationships forged in captivity can persist once bats are back in the wild.
Read my latest Animal Minds post: Vampire Bat Friendships Persist from the Lab to the Wild.
These Fish Navigate with Electricity
In my latest Animal Minds post, I take a look at some research with the African elephant-nose fish - an animal that uses self-generated electricity to navigate.
Read the article here: These Fish Navigate with Electricity.
Ants Discriminate Snake Friends and Foes
In Madagascar, there is an ant with two very different relationships to two kinds of snake. These ants open their nests up to one of the snakes, which may help protect them from the other.
Read my latest Animal Minds post for the whole story: Ants Discriminate Snake Friends and Foes.