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Science stories about animal research, including wildlife conservation and endangered animals studies.

Can Fish Use Sign Language?

May 7, 2013

(ANIMAL SCIENCE) Two types of fish—grouper and coral trout—have been found to use sign language to help out their hunting buddies. A study published in the journal Nature Communications discovered that the fish are able to “point” their heads toward prey to alert their partners in crime where their next meal is hiding. After studying gesturing grouper in the wild, researchers found that when the prey fish escaped the hunting alliance, a grouper would sometimes move to where the victim was hiding and “signal” the others. Coral trout practice similar gestures, and as a matter of fact, this is the first time “sign language” has been found to occur in animals other than ravens and primates. Read on for more on these signing creatures and this enlightening study. — Global Animal

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Is That A Caterpillar Or Donald Trump’s Hair?

May 3, 2013

(ANIMAL SCIENCE) There’s a new bigwig in the rainforest—literally. A rare yellow-colored caterpillar of the flannel moth species was recently videotaped in the Amazon and has now been nicknamed the “Donald Trump Caterpillar.” The peculiar creature bears a shocking resemblance to the golden do of the Donald himself, yet the caterpillar’s blonde mane actually consists of venomous setae that can cause serious skin irritations. So don’t touch this fuzzy insect, or “you’re fired!” Continue reading for more on this bigwig bug’s story. — Global Animal

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Bob Barker asks University of Virginia to stop medical testing on cats. Photo Credit: sustainabilityninja.com

Bob Barker’s Price Is Right To Save University Cats

April 30, 2013

(ANIMAL RIGHTS) Recently, PETA released a video of a cruel animal testing practice at Washington University in St. Louis (WUSTL) called Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS). In most universities, this procedure is performed on a simulator, but for some reason the antiquated system at WUSTL allows students to perform this traumatic procedure on nine live cats, and sometimes even up to 15 gruelling intubations per session. Following the release of PETA’s video, animal activist and legendary game show host Bob Barker penned a letter to the school’s chancellor with a very kind proposition. Read on to find out more on Bob’s generous offer to WUSTL and see how you can help put an end to this animal cruelty. — Global Animal

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Dolphins, The Ultimate Sleep-Swimmers

April 26, 2013

(OCEANS) The things that keep most of us up at night, may have dolphins sleeping easy. But interestingly enough, our marine mammal friends might not need it. Dolphins have a unique ability to sleep with only half of their brains, keeping the other half alert while they rest. This function allows dolphins to avoid predators, and surface for air, while they remain at rest. Continue reading below in order to find out more about this interesting study. — Global Animal

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Cat Cruelty Exposed At Washington University

April 26, 2013

(ANIMAL WELFARE) Recent undercover footage from animal rights group PETA has revealed a troubling practice at Washington University in St. Louis (WUSTL). During a medical training exercise called Pediatric Advanced Life Support, students were asked to intubate cats. Most medical facilities use lifelike simulators for this practice but in WUSTL the cats are put through up to 15 gruelling intubations per session. Some cats even began to wake up during the procedure. PETA writes, “Of the more than 1,000 PALS training facilities, WUSTL appears to be the last facility in the country that is still abusing cats in the course, in defiance of modern science and ethics.” Read on to learn why this practice is barbaric and unnecessary and find out what you can do to help. — Global Animal

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One Student’s Plan To Take Out The Trash

April 25, 2013

(ACTIVISM) The world’s oceans may have just found their savior in the form of a 19 year-old Dutch student, Boyan Slat. At this moment, our oceans are filled with millions of tons of plastic waste. The waste from the oceans washes up on beaches all over the world, threatening countless marine species. Slat’s plan takes advantage of the ocean’s currents, collecting the debris at platforms, which then can be separated and recycled. Continue reading for more of the details on Slat’s plan and how his idea may save Earth’s precious marine life. — Global Animal

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De-Extinction: Species That Could Live Again (GALLERY)

April 24, 2013

(ANIMAL SCIENCE) It’s alive! Well, not quite, but what if they could be alive…again? Check out the gallery and video below to learn more about de-extinction and the species that could possibly be brought back to life. — Global Animal

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What’s The Buzz On Bee Buzz?

April 23, 2013

(ANIMAL SCIENCE) A new study suggests that the electric fields that build up as honey bees fly and flutter may aid in insect communication. The research reveals that the charged fields deflect the bees’ antennae which provide signals to the brain through specialized organs located at the antennae base. Shortly before this finding, scientists reported that bumblebees may use electric fields to identify flowers rich in nectar and pollen from flowers more recently visited by other insects. All this buzz about bees has scientists looking at the flying insects in a whole new light and questioning their modes of communication even further. Keep reading for more on these buzzing bugs and the groundbreaking new studies that have researchers in awe. — Global Animal 

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