The last day of the dinosaurs The asteroid which killed nearly all of the dinosaurs struck Earth during springtime. This conclusion was drawn by an international team of researchers after having examined thin sections, high-resolution synchrotron X-ray scans, and carbon isotope records of the bones of fishes that died less than 60 minutes after the…
Migrating birds use both their view of the stars and their internal magnetic compasses to find their way over thousands of miles. To find north, humans look to a compass. But birds may just need to open their eyes, a new study says. Scientists already suspectes birds’ eyes contain molecules that are thought to sense Earth’s magnetic…
No one knows exactly how the nocturnal hunters manage their whisper-soft flight, yet it’s inspiring the design of quieter airplanes, fans and wind turbines. Every owl fancier has a story of the first time they heard an owl — or, rather, didn’t hear one. It’s unforgettable to see an enormous bird, whose wingspan can reach…
With variables like evolution and upbringing, the line blurs rather quickly. When distinguishing between a wolf and a dog, we face the classic challenge of being able to sort out differences on a meaningful level. Indeed, one cannot do this without engaging the issue of meaning. Do we have here essentially ‘the same animal’ or…
21 Fun Reptiles Facts: How Many Do You Know? What Is a reptile? Reptile are cold-blooded animals, which means they are unable to regulate their own body temperature. Because reptiles are unable to regulate their own body temperature (or keep it constant), they are generally found in warm climates. Basking on rocks or enjoying the…
1. Dalmatians are born without spots! They are born with plain white coats with their first spots appearing after they are 1 week old. 2. Dogs sweat through their foot pads to help keep them cool. They also keep cool by panting. 3. Greyhounds are the world’s fastest dogs with the ability to reach up…
Embryonic dinosaur fossils are extremely rare. It is the first time any have shown signs of a distinctive birdlike posture known as “tucking” — with the head under the right arm. A 66-million-year-old fossil of a complete baby dinosaur in its egg, apparently just a few days before it would have hatched, shows the remarkable…
Scientists are learning more about the rarely seen spectral bat, Latin America’s “jaguar on the wing.” None was bigger than a songbird. But the bat staring back at me now was the size of a crow—with the ears, snout, and bared teeth of the Big Bad Wolf. Vampyrum spectrum, more commonly known…
Bizarre Sea Creatures That Look Like They’re Not Real 1. Halitrephes Massi Jellyfish Halitrephes massi, commonly known on the internet as the firework jellyfish, is a species of deep-ocean hydrozoan of the family Halicreatidae. The most recent account of the jelly has been found at a depth of 4,000–5,000 feet (1,200–1,500 m)…
The world’s oldest animal on land at 187 years old: Born circa 1832 – five years prior to the coronation of Queen Victoria – Jonathan the tortoise is due to turn 187 years old in 2019. That makes him the oldest-known land animal alive today. This puts him just one year away from the title of oldest chelonian…
