Animals

How an American bird became an overnight superstar in Britain

4:26pm November 09, 2022

These are hard times in Britain, but it's not all bad. In one of the most remote parts of the British Isles, a visitor from America became an overnight superstar, attracting fans from far and wide.

When dogs go missing in a Washington county there's a good chance they'll be found

6:55am November 08, 2022

With more than 34,000 members, the Facebook group Lost Dogs of King County has a 92% success rate for reunions. The group's founder says happy reunions are rewarding for dogs, cats and people.

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Michigan lawmakers are considering changing the state's official bird

5:07am November 08, 2022

by Patrick Shea

Michigan's state bird is the American robin, but one lawmaker says it's time for a change. There is bipartisan support for the Kirtland's Warbler to represent the state.

The Oklahoma City Zoo welcomed four lion cubs on Sept. 26, its first litter of African lion cubs in 15 years.

National

Oklahoma City Zoo welcomed its first lion cubs in 15 years. You can help name them

1:18pm November 07, 2022

by Ashley Ahn

Dunia, a 7-year-old African lion, gave birth to three females and one male in September. Fans can vote for one of three groups of names on the zoo's website until Monday at midnight.

The National Park Service wants people to stop licking the Sonoran Desert toad

6:01am November 07, 2022

The toad secretes a toxin that can make people sick. But because the toxic secretions also contain a powerful hallucinogen, toad licking has become sort of a thing.

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Black and white motion sensor camera capture of Sonoran Desert Toad staring into your soul at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Arizona.

National

The National Park Service wants humans to stop licking this toad

12:39pm November 06, 2022

by Juliana Kim

The Sonoran desert toad secretes a potent toxin that can make people sick. Despite the risks, some people have discovered that the toad's toxic secretions contain a powerful hallucinogenic.

In an experiment conducted by researchers at Queen Mary University of London, bees could make their way through an unobstructed path to a feeding area or opt for a detour into a chamber with wooden balls (toys). Many took the detour.

Science

If bumblebees can play, does it mean they have feelings? This study suggests yes

6:00am November 05, 2022

by Vanessa Romo

Scientists wanted to learn whether bees, like humans and other mammals, had any interest in playing for fun's sake. They say they have evidence that bees do, and that could change how we view insects.

This elderly African penguin wears special shoes to treat its foot condition

4:39pm November 04, 2022

A geriatric African penguin at the New England Aquarium got adorable custom shoes to help treat its foot condition.

Gabriel Jorgewich Cohen began researching whether turtle species — and other vertebrates thought to be mute — make sounds by recording his own pet turtles. The hydrophone used for recording can be seen on the left.

Science

Dozens of species were assumed to be mute — until they were recorded making sounds

3:36pm November 03, 2022

by Laurel Wamsley

Some animals like birds and frogs are famous for the sounds they make. But have you ever heard a turtle talk? Most turtles were thought to not make sounds at all — before researchers went deep.

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Science

A 100-year study could help save box turtles

11:53am November 02, 2022

by Nell Greenfieldboyce

An ambitious long-term study of box turtles seeks to study the population across North Carolina to determine the health of the species over a hundred years.

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