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  Every year, on continents, oceans, and in the air, millions of animals undertake astounding travels.  These aren't random wanderings, however, but highly coordinated, biologically triggered journeys known as migration.  From the broad wing tips of soaring birds to the plodding, persistent creep of turtles along prehistoric beaches, migration is one of the most awe-inspiring events in the animal world.  Even after decades of study, much of migration remains a secret a constant puzzle of instinct, orientation, and environmental cues. What Is Animal Migration? Animal migration is the large-scale movement of animals from one location to another, often in response to a change of seasons, breeding needs, or food.  It is generally a round trip, with animals making their way back to the point of origin once they reach a destination. Migration is not movement itself it is purposeful, patterned, and often synchronized throughout an entire species.  It may be vertic...

  In the limitless theater of nature, survival is as much a question of not being noticed as it is of being fastest or strongest.  Camouflage the biological art of resembling one's surroundings is one of evolution's greatest tricks for survival.  Whether evading predators or sneaking up on unsuspecting prey, thousands of animals have mastered the subtle and sophisticated art of becoming invisible in plain sight. What Is Camouflage? Camouflage is a form of deception.  It gives animals the capacity to disguise their look, either by camouflage in their environment or by reproduction of objects and other animals.  The adaptation reduces the possibility of being discovered by predators or prey. There are various techniques that camouflage can be divided into: Cryptic coloration Disruptive coloration Mimicry Countershading Seasonal camouflage Dynamic color change All of these types have a unique purpose, which has been developed over generations by natural selection. ...

  Human beings have debated for centuries whether animals are able to feel emotions or not.  Do dogs experience happiness? Do elephants mourn? Do birds love? From ancient Greeks to today's scientists, the question of animal emotion has sparked interest, compassion, and controversy.  Some continue to hold that intricate feelings exist only in humans, but increasing evidence suggests otherwise that animals not only experience emotions, but that they are instrumental to their very survival and social lives. In this article, we'll be discussing what science has to say about animal emotions, how scientists research them, and what it implies for how we treat animals. Defining Emotion in Animals: Before we go into evidence, let's clarify what we're talking about when we use the term "emotion."  From a scientific perspective, an emotion is a subjective state which affects behavior and body responses.  Emotions typically have: A stimulus (something which provokes the e...

  Communication is a necessity for survival, reproduction, and social bonding, not only in humans but throughout the animal kingdom.  Animals have evolved sophisticated means to convey messages, express emotions, and send warnings, frequently using modalities such as sound, scent, body position, color, and even electricity.  From birds singing to whales calling across oceans, animal communication demonstrates the astounding variety of nature's signaling systems.  But more fascinating still is how some species manage to communicate across species lines, crossing over from their reality to form alliances with, decide against fighting, or engage in mutualistic behavior with another. Types of Animal Communication: As a precursor to cross-species communication, it's necessary to have an understanding of how animals tend to communicate with others of their kind.  Below are the primary forms of communication in the animal kingdom: #1 Vocalizations: Sounds are likely th...