For the microscopic lab worm C elegans, life equates to just a few short weeks on Earth. The bowhead whale, on the other hand, can live over two hundred years. Why are these lifespans so different? And what does it really mean to age
anyway? Joao Pedro de Magalhaes explains why the pace of ageing varies greatly across animals.
Lesson by Joao Pedro de Magalhaes, animation by Sharon Colman — via Youtube
The chief feature of any BEEcosystem hive is that it gives a literal window into the bee colony it houses. The hexagon-shaped module is framed in cedar and fronted with a pane of glass. Side vents can be opened and closed to connect multiple modules or to keep the bees contained if you need to move the hive.
How do the bees get inside your house? The hive can be connected to a tube that runs to a small window unit—sort of like a miniature version of vent tube for a portable air conditioner. The window unit has the added benefit of providing bees with an ideal platform for take-off and landing. The tube has a safety mechanism that instantly snaps closed if it’s ever disconnected.
BEEcosystems start at $599 for a one-hex hive — via Curbed
Worryingly described by entomologists and arachnologists as a not uncommon
occurrence in certain parts of the globe, spider rain can see anywhere from a few thousand to several million spiders tumble from the sky in a given area, seemingly out of nowhere — via Youtube
The true story of a rescued greyhound who becomes a healer to others — via Youtube
— via Youtube
Taronga Zoo is celebrating the breeding success of more than twenty Feathertail Gliders, one of the smallest mammals in the world.
Twelve different female adult Feathertail Glider’s fell pregnant at a similar time with the joeys, and the mothers now communally care for one another’s young — via ZooBorns
This question vexed Darwin — and now we have a fascinating answer — via Youtube
If you’ve ever wondered why your cats put everything under the stove, now is your chance to find out. Don’t look under it yourself or this might happen to you — via Youtube
Seven endangered African painted dog pups have made their first public appearances at Chester Zoo — via Youtube
BBC News reporter Alex Dunlop found himself mobbed by lemurs while trying to report on an animal count at Banham Zoo in Norfolk — via Youtube
A rusty spotted cat, the world’s smallest cat, explores his forest home in Sri Lanka, but his natural curiosity is destined to get him into a spot of trouble — via Youtube
For the first time in Saint Louis Zoo history, a cheetah has given birth to eight cheetah cubs. The cubs, three males and five females, were born at the Saint Louis Zoo River’s Edge Cheetah Breeding Centre on 26 November, 2017. Mother and cubs are doing well and will remain in their private, indoor maternity den behind the scenes at River’s Edge for the next several months — via Youtube
In cooperation with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and the Feline Conservation Centre, Oakland Zoo has taken in two orphaned Mountain Lion cubs. The cubs were found separately in Orange County, two weeks apart from each other. Due to their ages and geographic proximity to each other when rescued, Oakland Zoo veterinarians will conduct DNA testing to determine if they are, in fact, siblings — via ZooBorns
Two Critically Endangered Malayan Tiger cubs at the Prague Zoo are beginning to show their personalities. The cubs — one male and one female — were born on 3 October and only recently came out of the den with their mother, Banya. The animal care team chose the name Bulan for the male and Wanita for the female — via ZooBorns
The calf was born at Franklin Park Zoo at 3.06pm on 1 January 1 to Milton, a 28-year-old male, and Abby, a 13-year-old female. This is the fourth offspring for Milton and Abby. Given the small size of the North American captive population, this is a very important birth for this endangered species — via Youtube
The Houston Zoo’s four-month-old Jaguar cubs recently made their public debut. Fitz and his sister, Emma, were born to first-time parents Maya and Tesoro on 20 July. The cubs have been behind-the-scenes with mum the past few months — via ZooBorns
19 Numbats born at Perth Zoo will be released into the wild at Mt Gibson — via Youtube
Already replete with sharks, crocodiles, snakes and poisonous jellyfish galore, Australia may also be home to arsonist birds that spread fire so they can feed on animals as they flee.
The belief that birds like the Whistling Kite, Black Kite and Brown Falcon spread grass fires goes back so far that it’s commemorated in indigenous ceremonial dances, according to Bob Gosford, a co-author of this paper in the Journal of Enthnobiology.
The paper posits that the behaviour isn’t accidental: Most accounts and traditions unequivocally indicate intentionality on the part of three raptor species and a handful provide evidence of cooperative fire-spreading by select individuals from within larger fire-foraging raptor assemblages
, it notes.
And while the researchers’ main interest was to confirm and document those stories, Gosford told Vulture South the research is also important to understanding how fire spreads in Australia.
This may give us cause to re-examine fire history, and the conduct of fire in this country,
Gosford said — via The Register
— via Youtube
Louella recently rescued not one but two adult flying-foxes out of large aperture fruit netting thrown over a lime tree — via Youtube
Faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, cooler than a cucumber in a bowl of hot sauce, it’s Piper the Aviation Bird Dog, ready for duty. Alongside his handler Brian Edwards, the dynamic duo protects the planes at Cherry Capital Airport from bird strikes. Birds can pose a huge threat to flight safety, but when they see Piper on his way, geese, ducks and gulls flee the runways. It’s an important job, but not one without its share of fun — via Youtube
Two adorable faces have joined Monarto Zoo’s Spotted Hyena clan. Twins were born on 13 September to first-time parents Thandi and Piltengi — via Youtube
This year, Cats Protection‘s Christmas animation is a festive tale with a difference: it takes inspiration from a real life story. Get the tissues out and watch Kozal’s rags to riches story… — via Youtube
As the museum closes, a security guard has an unusual encounter that he will probably never forget — via Youtube
— via Youtube
Taronga Western Plains Zoo is pleased to announce the arrival of a rare Southern Black Rhinoceros calf, born on 31 October to mother Bakhita and father Kwanzaa.
The yet-to-be-named male calf is the second Black Rhino calf to be born at the Zoo this year, boosting the Zoo’s successful Black Rhino breeding program — via ZooBorns
A six-week-old female Cheetah cub arrived at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, on 13 November, from Fossil Rim Wildlife Centre in Glen Rose, Texas — via ZooBorns
Zoo de Beauval is pleased to announce the birth of a male Brazilian Tapir. The handsome three-week-old has been named Diego — via ZooBorns
You don’t have to be crazy to think Lucas the spider is cute because animator Joshua Slice designed Lucas with maximum cuteness in mind, and then Joshua sealed the deal by having his nephew Lucas voice the little scamp — via Youtube
— via Dork Tower
Pink Hibiscus, Celosia Intenz, Plumbago, Plumbago and Aptenia Cordifolia and Bee originally uploaded by Red Wolf
Agapanthus originally uploaded by Red Wolf
Cotswold Wildlife Park is celebrating the birth of a White Rhino calf. The newborn male, named Alan, is the newest additions to the UK park’s crash
(collective noun for a group of Rhinos) at their Burford collection — via ZooBorns
Grey pod loves the leaking hydrant — via Youtube
Cycad, Pink Geranium and Yellow Rose originally uploaded by Red Wolf
Spilled Jacaranda originally uploaded by Red Wolf
Wild Purple Iris and Tree Fern originally uploaded by Red Wolf
Taronga Western Plains Zoo is pleased to announce the arrival of two healthy litters of Tasmanian Devil joeys. According to keepers, this is one of the most successful years to date for the Zoo’s Tasmanian Devil conservation breeding program.
The first litter of three joeys arrived on 19 March to mother Lana. Keepers were recently able to take a close look at each joey and confirm their sex (two males and one female). Another female, Pooki, birthed four joeys more recently on 19 June, which are yet to emerge from the pouch — via ZooBorns
Owning the rug originally uploaded by Red Wolf
After spending months tucked away with their mother, two Cheetah cubs born at Basel Zoo can now be seen by zoo visitors. The cubs have been named Opuwo and Onysha.
Born on 18 July to first-time mother Novi and father Gazembe, the cubs’ birth is the result of careful planning and strategy by the zoo staff — via ZooBorns
Three adorable, orphaned female Cougar cubs now reside at the Toledo Zoo and Aquarium, in Ohio — via Youtube
Sleeping in originally uploaded by Red Wolf
Archachatina marginata ovum, giant African Snail species — via Youtube
When Woodland Park Zoo keepers opened the door allowing Aibek, a 2-month-old Snow Leopard, to leave the maternity den for the first time, the cub zipped outside so fast that he beat his mum into the outdoor habitat — via ZooBorns
A two-month-old baby rhino tries to get the attention of its mum in the most adorable way at Chester Zoo — via Youtube
This is my sad face originally uploaded by Red Wolf
RZSS Edinburgh Zoo keepers are hearing the pitter-patter
of tiny hooves with the birth of an endangered Malayan Tapir calf.
The female calf, born on 18 September, has been named Maya. The new arrival was welcomed by mother, Sayang, and father, Mowgli, and is being well cared for by her experienced mum — via Zoo Borns
