Animals

Mother Bird's Song Helps Her Young Cope With Global Warming

6:12am August 19, 2016

A journal Science study says Zebra Finches sing a special song to their eggs to warn when temperatures go above 79 degrees. The warning slows development in the egg and the birds come out smaller.

Henry Wood Elliott comments on walruses on Punuk Island in 1874, from his book Our Arctic Province.

What Does It Take To Map A Walrus Hangout? 160 Years And A Lot Of Help

2:04pm August 17, 2016

by Camila Domonoske

Groups of walruses are vulnerable to disturbances, but it's hard to avoid them if you don't know where they are. A new tool from U.S. and Russian researchers draws on history to protect the animals.

Fisherman Helps Shark That Is Too Tired To Swim Off On Its Own

10:12am August 16, 2016

A man in Ocean City, Md., caught a shark with the intention of letting it go. Determined to get the exhausted shark out to sea, the fisherman carried it out to deeper waters, where it swam away.

Queue Listen Now

The cover of The Sea Forager's Guide to the Northern California Coast.

Fishing And Foraging: How To Catch Your Seafood, Ethically

3:05pm August 15, 2016

by Alastair Bland

Fisherman Kirk Lombard's new book teaches people to fish and forage along the northern California coast, while urging them to harvest in moderation, follow regulations and respect sea creatures.

Common Earthworm Lumbricus terrestris, a top down view against a black background.

Worm Quiz: Don't Try To Squirm Your Way Out Of It

2:54am August 14, 2016

by Malaka Gharib

Do you know how long the longest earthworm is? Or how people might contract a parasitic worm?

Science

Bird Myth Busters: Do Birds Fly To The Moon In Winter? And Other Unknowns

9:14am August 13, 2016

Do hummingbirds migrate on the backs of geese? And will rice thrown at weddings really make birds explode? Scott Simon gets to the bottom of some bird myths with Ray Brown, host of "Talkin' Birds."