You might think of a pond when tadpoles come to mind, but scientists have just discovered a new species that lives underground. In fact, the tadpoles feast on sand, and they’re just fine with their dark, damp environment. The species belong to the Indian dancing frog family, Micrixalidae. The tadpoles, Micrixalus herrei, come from sand beds in a …
Cue the “Jurassic Park” theme song. In a study published in Evolution, researchers from the University of Chile detailed a recent experiment involving the mutation of a chicken leg to give it the shape of a dinosaur leg. The scientists inhibited the early maturation of a leg of a chicken embryo to yield the results. Alexander Vargas, one of the researchers, stated …
Although the long-extinct dodo bird may be at the center of many jokes, new research suggests that maybe we should all lay off a bit. A study published in the Zoological Journal of Linnean Society has discovered that the size of the dodo’s brain in relationship to its body is on par with its closest relative — the …
If you live near the shoreline on Long Island, you may want to listen up. Scientists have found that the Great South Bay has become home to several sand tiger sharks, which are using this area as breeding grounds. Veterinarians and researchers working for the Wildlife Conservation Society’s New York Aquarium are the ones to make …
What would you do if you suddenly lost a beloved pet? One couple decided to come to terms with their grief with a revolutionary method — cloning. Laura Jacques and Richard Remde of the UK recently decided to clone their dog after it passed away, according to U.S. News and World Report. Their original dog, which …
Dinosaur discoveries always give us more to consider when we look back on the evolution of today’s animals. The recent unearthing of 19 skeletons in the Gobi Desert of China is no different. On Dec. 22, scientists published new findings in Current Biology, detailing 19 skeletons they found while searching in the Gobi Desert. The …
At the end of December 2016, Chinese officials honed in on an illegal trafficking operation involving pangolin scales. In total, about 3.4 tons of pangolin scales were seized at a port in Shanghai. According to Chinese media, it was the largest seizure of its type in the history of the country – but what are …
What are drones good for if not landing on the White House lawn? Scientists say that animal tracking may be a good reason to use them, according to TreeHugger.com. Researchers from Australian National University have proposed using drones to tag and track wildlife. Although it seems like a small initiative, doing so would save researchers …
We aren’t the only ones who have evolved as a result of our changing environment. In fact, man’s best friend may have been directly impacted by climate change. A new study that looked at North American dog fossils going back almost 40 million years has found that predators might have evolved according to climate change. …
If you’ve been anxious about the next mass extinction, bad news: it’s already commenced. Scientists have found that species loss is currently 100 times greater than the expected rate. In short, we’ve already entered the sixth mass extinction, and soon we may face the same fate as the dinosaurs. “The evidence is incontrovertible that recent …