A study published in Science on January 11 seems to be the first to lay empirical evidence that concur with Charles Darwin’s hypothesis: … that mate selection might have contributed to the evolution of intelligence or cognitive abilities. Scientists from China and the Netherlands collaborated in a study on budgerigars, Melopsittacus undulatus. Based on what..
Article Category: Ethology
Articles on [b:2jiinnx3]Ethology[/b:2jiinnx3] — the study of animal behavior
Wild dolphins learn to “tail-walk” on the water, yet it’s just a fad
Dolphins performing acrobatic tricks have, time and again, fascinated and mesmerized people. As early as 1860s, capturers took dolphins and other cetaceans (e.g. whales and porpoises) out of their aquatic habitats and held them in captivity in various parts of Europe and North America. At first, they kept them in a dolphinarium mainly as an..
Tracking the migration of Whip-poor-will in Americas
Eastern whip-poor-will (Antrostomus vociferous) is continuously declining due to habitat loss and unavailability of insects for food. Little is known about whip-poor-will migration because of their nocturnal quite habit during non-breeding season. At high latitude 80% avian species are migratory wherein factors affecting migration includes predators, anthropogenic threats and pathogens. Migratory strategies allows individual to..
Thanatosis – Faking Death To Escape Doom
Thanatosis — pretending to be dead — is one of the best strategies that certain wild animals came up with in order to survive. Since the prey is usually inferior to its predator, it must use wit to its advantage. When all else seems futile, thanatosis seems the only way to go. Thanatosis – what..
The Amazing Spider Dads
Humans are not the only fathers capable of giving it all for the sake of their progeny. The animal kingdom is teeming with fathers that are downright heroes. For instance, male redbacks and dark fishing spiders are great spider fathers. They would voluntarily throw themselves into the clutches of their mated female and eaten… never..
Alloparenting-What Is It?
An introduction to what alloparenting is. No examples, just explanation of benefits to alloparenting to all involved in the activity–parents, young, and alloparents…