Animals

  1. Life

    Near reefs, microbial mix dictated by coral and algae

    A reef’s dominant organism, coral or algae, may determine what kind of bacteria live there.

    By
  2. Animals

    Emperor penguin population could decline by 2100

    Emperor penguins’ reign over Antarctic sea ice could be in decline by the beginning of the 22nd century.

    By
  3. Animals

    Why great white shark sightings are good news

    Conservation measures implemented in the 1990s halted a decline in great white sharks in the Atlantic.

    By
  4. Animals

    To ID birds, try facial recognition

    Improve your backyard birding using facial recognition software.

    By
  5. Astronomy

    Feedback

    Readers debate about what happens when an astronaut falls into a black hole, compare note-taking techniques, speculate on bat longevity and more.

    By
  6. Life

    A new view of dinosaurs, a clearer view of lunar origins

    By
  7. Animals

    Ant lions hunt despite sealed lips

    Ant lions are ferocious predators, but some of them don’t have a mouth. At least not in the usual sense.

    By
  8. Animals

    Mysterious neurotoxin may help flatworms kill prey

    Tetrodotoxin, the deadly chemical in pufferfish, could help flatworms transform their earthworm prey into puddles of goo.

    By
  9. Physics

    Tiny silica spheres put the disco in disco clams

    The electric effect in disco clams is actually the result of light scattering off tiny silica spheres.

    By
  10. Animals

    Lionfish dance can recruit partner for hunting

    Slow but superb predators recruit pals for cooperative hunting, often striking in what looks like well-mannered turn taking.

    By
  11. Animals

    Tiny frogs host an illusion on their backs

    How dyeing dart frogs move changes how predators see the amphibians, a new study finds.

    By
  12. Animals

    Fish-eating spiders are the stuff of nightmares

    Spiders that feast on fish can be found on every continent but Antarctica, a new review finds.

    By