Science
Venomous snakes are more likely to stand out than hide
A study of more than 450 species found that venomous snakes contrast more with their surroundings, often in red and yellow.
Topic
animals
All stories tagged “animals.”
7 stories
Science
Two new giant stick insects found in Australia, one with lidded eggs
What scientists thought were two species turned out to be five. One lays eggs with a ringed lid never seen before in stick insects.
Science
A parasitic worm sends earwigs into water, and genes offer clues
Earwigs usually avoid open water. When the roundworm inside is ready to leave, they walk in, and both animals change which genes they use.
Science
Elephants in Kenya may treat themselves with medicinal plants
Local experts named 35 plants and four kinds of soil that elephants seem to seek out when unwell, and some say mothers give plants to their calves.
Science
Endangered pygmy raccoons turn trash paper into toy balls
Two young sisters on Cozumel soaked paper, rolled it in sand and played with it. Scientists think the habit spread between them.
Science
Cats carry a chemical ID card in their urine, study finds
A mix of 13 unusual fatty acids is different for every cat and stays the same over time. It may also solve a 100-year-old kidney mystery.
Science
Dog brains track consonants in speech, just like human brains
Hungarian researchers recorded brain waves from 20 dogs and 20 people, and both picked out words built around consonants more easily.