(Natural News) The words “peacock” and “camouflage” are generally considered opposites. But Pennsylvania-based researchers now argue that the vivid colors of the flightless bird conceal it from predatory mammals. To the human eye, the tail feathers of the male peacock stand out like a visual sore thumb. However, it so happens that the retina of […]

(Natural News) The watering holes scattered throughout the Andes mountain range of Peru also serve as communication spots for Andean bears. A new study discovered that the bears left messages for each other on the plants near a source of water. Bears are known for their tree-rubbing behavior. They bite, claw, and rub parts of their bodies on […]

(Natural News) Theories abound as to why zebras sport distinctive black-and-white stripes on their hides. In a recent study, a team led by the University of California (UC), Davis claimed that the pattern confuses blood-sucking flies, causing the insects to miss their zebra-sized landing zone completely. The flies feed on the blood of zebras and […]

(Natural News) A giant tortoise thought to be extinct was found alive on Fernandina Island in the Galapagos. This particular species of tortoise was last sighted in 1906. Giant “extinct” female tortoise found by expedition group The fully grown female tortoise was spotted during an expedition led by the Galapagos Parks Authority and the Galapagos […]

(Natural News) Of all the primates, none are more closely related to humans than chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). In taxonomy, both species are classified as hominins, and studies have shown that they share similar life cycles and underlying biology. The two species get even closer in terms of DNA: The results of a genome sequence in […]

(Natural News) The last five decades saw hundreds of species of frogs, toads, and other amphibians suffer drastic drops in numbers. Close to a hundred species have gone extinct. Researchers attributed the widespread declines and extinction to a ravenous fungal disease called chytridiomycosis. Chytridiomycosis eats the moist skin of amphibians, leaving the animals vulnerable. It wiped […]

(Natural News) If you ever go on an Africa safari, ask the guide to keep as far away from the wild animals as possible. A recent international study has warned that wildlife tourism may be frightening and agitating elephants into becoming more violent towards humans. Furthermore, the study found that the appearance of tourists drove […]

(Natural News) Scientists fear that the continued decline in mangrove forests could significantly impact the world’s biodiversity. In a statement, which they made during the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and published in the journal Science, they called the attention of governments from all over the globe to provide stronger protection for small but crucial swathes of mangroves. The case for protecting […]

(Natural News) The great white sharks in South African waters have been found to contain high levels of arsenic, lead, and mercury in their blood. While the sharks might shrug off the deadly effects of the heavy metals, the presence of the toxins suggest that their prey were badly contaminated – and humans also rely on […]

(Natural News) Do octopuses experience dreams? A viral video of an octopus changing its color during its slumber brought up interesting questions about the neural activity in its many “brains” during sleep periods. Octopuses can alter the color and texture of their skin in the blink of an eye. Sometimes, they rely on their color-changing […]