380 million-year-old remains of giant fish found in Australia. Its ‘living...
What do the ginkgo (a tree), the nautilus (a mollusc) and the coelacanth (a fish) all have in common?They don't look alike, and they aren't biologically related, but part of their evolutionary history bears a striking resemblance: these organisms are referred to as "living fossils". In other words, they appear to have escaped the transformations…
Northern sea robin: The bizarre fish with crab legs it uses...
Name: Northern sea robin (Prionotus carolinus)Where it lives: The shallow waters of the western Atlantic, from Nova Scotia to FloridaWhat it eats: Shrimp, crabs, squid, worms and small fishWhy it's awesome: Northern sea robins are weird fish with big, spiny heads; bright-blue eyes; two giant wing fins; and six crab-like legs.It's these little legs that…
Bears
There are eight species of bear living around the world today, and many more in the fossil record. "Prehistoric" mummified bears have even been found preserved in permafrost thousands of years after they died. At Live Science, our expert writers and editors bring you the latest news, features and articles about bears, whether it's American…
A single enzyme can alter the vibrant colors in parrot plumage
Science News was founded in 1921 as an independent, nonprofit source of accurate information on the latest news of science, medicine and technology. Today, our mission remains the same: to empower people to evaluate the news and the world around them. It is published by the Society for Science, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) membership organization dedicated…
This marine biologist discovered a unique blue whale population in Sri...
Pooping whales changed the course of Asha de Vos’ career. The Sri Lankan marine biologist was aboard a research vessel near her home island in 2003 when she spotted six blue whales congregating. A bright red plume of whale waste was spreading across the water’s surface. Seeing whale poop, colored red thanks to the whale’s…
These hornets may be the alcohol-detox champs of the animal world
Science News was founded in 1921 as an independent, nonprofit source of accurate information on the latest news of science, medicine and technology. Today, our mission remains the same: to empower people to evaluate the news and the world around them. It is published by the Society for Science, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) membership organization dedicated…
Giant rats could soon help sniff out illegally smuggled goods
A new kind of border patrol agent could soon start work in African ports, sniffing out illegal goods that are smuggled across country lines. They’re rats. And they wear tiny red vests. African giant pouched rats have been trained to identify pangolin scales, elephant ivory and other items from at-risk species, researchers report October 30…
Oldest tadpole on record was a Jurassic giant
While searching for dinosaur fossils in Argentina, paleontologists made an accidental discovery: the oldest tadpole ever found.The fossil, unearthed in the La Matilde Formation in Patagonia, may finally settle a debate about frog evolution, the scientists reported Wednesday (Oct. 30) in the journal Nature.The fossil is a fantastically preserved specimen of the frog species Notobatrachus…
A common kitchen tool could help koala conservation
Known for their fluffy ears, round faces and big black noses, koalas spend most of their time snoozing in the canopies of eucalypt forests. Their penchant for perching high up and moving very little makes these Australian icons difficult to trace. But that could soon change thanks to a new technique that can “sniff” out…
From black cats to white spirit bears, ‘superstitions, lore and myths...
Imagine it's a crisp and sunny fall morning. You just left your local coffee shop, ready to start your day.Out of the corner of your eye, you catch a glimpse of something moving in the bushes. Is it a squirrel stashing acorns for the winter? A robin fattening up for migration? As you get closer,…