nor

  For most of the modern age, wildlife news has been dominated by bleak headlines: poaching, habitat loss, pollution, and extinction.  But there are also inspiring, optimistic tales of survival and rebirth.  Thanks to the persistent hard work of conservationists, scientists, governments, and communities, numerous species that were on the brink of extinction have had spectacular recoveries.  These conservation success stories are not only showing what can be done, but also offering important lessons for future work to conserve the world's biodiversity. Why Conservation Matters? The extinction of any species is irreversible.  Beyond the moral imperative to protect wildlife, conservation is necessary to maintain healthy ecosystems.  Every species plays a part in maintaining the balance of nature pollinating plants, dispersing seeds, controlling pests, and recycling nutrients.  The extinction of one is just the beginning of a chain of events that affects m...

  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. ...

  Australia, popularly referred to as the "Land Down Under," is world-renowned for its diverse and unique wildlife.  From hopping kangaroos and cuddly koalas to venomous snakes and brilliant parrots, the continent's wildlife is unlike any other on the planet.  The key to Australian wildlife's uniqueness is the continent's prolonged geological isolation, which has allowed species to evolve independently for millions of years.  But alongside this biological haven comes the dire need to protect it.  With climate change, invasive species, urbanization, and habitat loss threatening biodiversity, conservation in Australia has become an imperative and complex task.  The Origins of Australia's Unique Wildlife: Australia broke away from the supercontinent Gondwana around 180 million years ago.  The isolation formed a kind of biological laboratory, in which its animals and plants could evolve without a lot of outside influence.  As a result, over 80% of Aus...

  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...

  Imagine swimming in the ocean and noticing flashes of blue, green, or red light drifting past you like stars in the sky.  This is not science fiction it is bioluminescence, one of the most mysterious and breathtaking phenomena of our planet.  Bioluminescence exists in a broad variety of living organisms, from sea life to fungi and some insects, and plays a critical role in living, communication, and flirting with predators in the deepest regions of the planet. What Is Bioluminescence? Bioluminescence is light emission and production by a living organism.  It is caused by a chemical reaction between a light-releasing molecule called luciferin and an enzyme called luciferase.  When oxygen is added to luciferin (usually catalyzed by luciferase), light energy is produced.  Such light is commonly referred to as cold light because less than 20% of it generates heat. Bioluminescence differs from phosphorescence or fluorescence in the sense that it is not the res...