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ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR STUDIES
Can’t solve a puzzle? Ask a raccoon: Scientists find out why they keep looking for answers even without a rewardEmerging studies suggest raccoons are motivated by curiosity rather than just food when tackling puzzles. These nimble creatures demonstrat...- In 2019, rats drove handmade cars at the University of Richmond, steering left, right, or straight to reach Froot Loops in a complex testResearchers trained rats to drive small cars for rewards. Rats housed in enriched cages learned faster and showed continued interest. Drivi...
- In 1995, NASA ditched space for an experiment and got spiders stoned on marijuana, caffeine, chloral hydrate, etc.; one of these made spiders’ webs wonky and disorganised. It was not marijuanaUsually, NASA is synonymous with space missions and exploring the cosmos. Yet one time, the researchers at NASA became temporary behavioura...
- In 2014, NASA sent young and older mice into space; within 9 to 11 days, the younger ones began running group laps in zero gravityIn 2014, NASA launched a group of twenty mice to the International Space Station for groundbreaking research. Remarkably, the young mice ex...
- Dogs may read your emotions better than you think as brain scans reveal how canines distinguish happiness, fear and sadness in humansNew research reveals dogs' brains process human emotions distinctly. Happy faces activate specific brain regions associated with reward pro...
- In 1973, NASA sent two fish into space to test their swimming ability in zero gravity; they initially swam in loops but later used light as cue to move normally after 21 daysIn 1973, NASA sent two mummichog fish and 50 eggs aboard Skylab 3 to study how weightlessness affected their sense of balance. The fish ini...
- 10 million years ago, this 23-foot crocodile ruled prehistoric Colombia; its fossilised victims reveal a brutal secretIn Colombia, researchers uncovered fossilized bones indicating that Purussaurus neivensis, an enormous caiman relative, engaged in predatio...
- A dog wouldn’t leave this airline passenger alone. Months later, a routine check-up explained its strange behaviourA woman on a flight found herself repeatedly pawed by a medical alert dog, prompting its owner to explain that such behaviour could signal ...
- In a 2023 Brazilian study, sheep under photovoltaic panels experienced 30% less radiant heat and up to 8°C lower wool-surface temperaturesA recent study shows sheep benefit from solar panel shade during hot weather. These animals experience significantly less radiant heat expo...
- Dolphins use ‘sponge gloves’ to hunt: The clever trick is passed from mothers to their calves. Scientists share fascinating story of dolphins' hunting techniqueIn Shark Bay, Australia, some bottlenose dolphins use marine sponges as hunting tools, placing them over their beaks while searching for pr...
- Birds are cleverer than many animals. Scientists identify a key clue about why birds are better at problem-solving skillsA study of 203 birds across 15 passerine species found that birds better at solving physical puzzles were more innovative in the wild and h...
- For generations, Yao hunters in Mozambique have followed a wild bird called the greater honeyguide through the forest to find hidden bee nests; experiments now confirm the bird knows exactly what it is doingIn the heart of Mozambique, Yao hunters have cultivated a remarkable alliance with honeyguide birds, tapping into their natural instincts f...
- Ravi Kishan says ‘gut is our brain’. Gastro doctor, Dr Pal explains the surprising link between gut bacteria and behaviourRavi Kishan’s claim that the “gut is our brain” received support from Dr Pal, who explained the gut-brain connection. He noted that the gut...
- Originated 250 millions ago, Crocodiles and Birds closest living relatives yet one flies, apex predator can't, scientists have finally figured out whyReversion to a cold-blooded metabolism may have saved the crocodile lineage from extinction 66 million years ago when an asteroid ended the...
- In 2024, study found how 365 beehives helped Kenyan farmers keep elephants away from cropsA nine-year study explored beehive fences deterring elephants from farms near Tsavo East National Park. These fences successfully reduced c...
- In 2024, Australian scientists reported fitting five parrots with tracking devices; within 48 hours, the birds had removed every oneIn a fascinating study, scientists attached GPS devices to five wild little corellas in South Australia, only to find all were removed with...
- In 2017, scientists watched the sky go dark during a Solar Eclipse, and across 17 species. Animals suddenly behaved differently, from giraffes running to tortoises mating, revealing a surprising response to the disappearance of daylightIn an extraordinary 2017 solar eclipse, zoo animals displayed peculiar behaviors that took researchers by surprise. Galapagos tortoises sta...
- The tamarin on Brazil’s R$20 note once had only around 200 left in the wild; Smithsonian zoologist Devra Kleiman helped build the breeding program behind its recoveryOnce on the brink of extinction, the golden lion tamarin saw its population dwindle to a mere 200 individuals. Thanks to Devra Kleiman's pi...
- In the 1980s, Burmese pythons released or escaped from Florida’s pet trade began reproducing in the Everglades; scientists linked them to sharp declines in native mammalsBurmese pythons, a species introduced to Florida decades ago, are now posing significant threats to the wildlife in the Everglades. Scienti...
- In 2018, a researcher calculated the calories from cannibalism and won an Ig Nobel Prize for revealing why prehistoric humans may not have eaten each other simply for foodArchaeologist James Cole calculated the caloric value of an adult human body. This research suggested humans offered fewer calories than la...
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