Got Science Animals, Wildlife Photography and News

Can Coronavirus Infect Non-Human Animals?

September 1, 2020April 4, 2021 Science Connectedanimals, coronavirus, COVID-19, endangered species, primates

A new study suggests that many endangered and threatened species, particularly primates, could be susceptible to the novel coronavirus.

Animals Biodiversity Environment

Urban Gardens a Haven for Pollinators

August 5, 2020August 4, 2020 Science Connectedbees, city planning, flowers, insects, pollinators, urban gardening

Insect-friendly urban gardens show great promise to be havens for bees and other pollinators, securing their future and allowing them to thrive.

Black Birders: Deja Perkins, a graduate student using citizen science to research birds, is one of the organizers of Black Birders Week. (Credit: North Carolina State University)

Animals Biodiversity Citizen Science Diversity Ornithology SciStarter Blog

Black Birders, Scientists Push for Equality

June 25, 2020June 24, 2020 Science Connectedbirds, black scientists, citizen science projects, diversity

Black Birders Week helped show the world that Black scientists exist in the great outdoors. Now, participants hope to keep the conversation going.

Sea turtle photographed by Lorianne DiSabato at the New England Aquarium in Boston, MA (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Animals Environment Oceanography

To Sea Turtles, Ocean Plastic Smells Like Food

April 8, 2020April 8, 2020 Science Connectedanimal behavior, foraging, ocean plastic, pollution, sea turtles, sense of smell

Sea turtles may eat plastic found in the ocean because it builds up a layer of microorganisms and smells the same as their food, a new study finds.

cat-specific music reduces stress in cats

Animals

Cats Are Calmed by Cat-Specific Music

April 1, 2020April 7, 2021 Science Connectedcat, cortisol, feline, music, stress, veterinarian

Cats in a new study showed lower stress responses while listening to a certain type of music, which could help veterinary visits be less stressful.

Animals Biodiversity Ecology

Megabiota, Largest Life, Vital to Biosphere

March 18, 2020March 11, 2020 Science Connectedcharismatic species, climate change, conservation, extinction, megafauna, megaflora

By Mackenzie Myers @kenzwrites Large organisms such as whales, elephants, and redwoods are often featured in awe-inspiring nature documentaries, but they’re more than just oohs and ahs. Their existence or extinction could make or break the planet as we know it. Megabiota—the largest plants and animals—are more likely than smaller organisms to go extinct as a result of climate change. And the rest of us could be in big trouble if they do, according to a recent study. The charisma conundrum Think of successful conservation campaigns. Which animals are deemed…

Animals Environment

Ants’ Love of Pee May Reduce Greenhouse Gas

March 4, 2020April 5, 2021 Science Connectedants, Australia, Greenhouse Gases, Nitrogen, Urine

Ants consume urine for its nitrogen content, and a new study shows that this helps ants thrive in sandy habitats and may even reduce greenhouse gases.

Animals Biology Health

Toxoplasma Infection Makes Mice More Brave

February 24, 2020February 20, 2020 Science Connectedanimal behavior, behavior, inflammation, mice, neurodegenerative disease, parasites

By Mackenzie Myers, @kenzwrites Quiet as a mouse. Timid as a mouse. When’s the last time you heard a mouse described as brave? The scientific community has already established that a parasite carried by cats and their feces, Toxoplasma gondii, causes infected mice to lose their fear of feline predators. But a new study from researchers at the University of Geneva and the University of Toronto points to a decrease in anxiety that may be less specific than previously thought, giving mice a one-size-fits-all fearlessness. What is Toxoplasmosis? T. gondii,…

The water bear or moss piglet is a tiny invertebrate that's been around on Earth for more than half a billion years. This is a giant model at the AMNH's "Life at the Limits" exhibit. Photo courtesy of Eden, Janine, and Jim(CC BY 2.0)

Animals Biology Climate Change Environment

Even the Resilient Tardigrade Has an Achilles Heel

February 10, 2020January 30, 2020 Science Connectedclimate change, extreme temperature, resilience, rising temperature, tardigrade

By Shelby Nilsen (@shellbeegrace) Climate change is already affecting many habitats and ecosystems. As a result, scientists are working to understand how the rising temperatures we face might affect extant animals—that is, those species that are still surviving—including tardigrades, some of the toughest organisms around, which are well known for their ability to adapt to extreme environments. In the face of certain environmental cues, tardigrades enter cryptobiosis, a state in which all metabolic processes stop until the organism’s surroundings become favorable again. This remarkable survival tactic allows tardigrades to withstand…

SuperbOwl: Image credit: Alexas_Fotos via Pixabay

Animals Citizen Science SciStarter Blog

Five Ways to Prepare for SuperbOwl Sunday

January 31, 2020January 28, 2020 Science Connectedbirds, citizen science, ornithology, owls

By Bob Hirshon @BobHirshon Sunday, February 2 is the most exciting day of the year for owl-lovers all over the world: SuperbOwl Sunday! This is the day when the ornithologically-inclined brave the elements to admire owls near them, photograph owls and/or, for some reason, stay indoors and watch football. No matter who you’re hooting for this Super Bowl Sunday, you can celebrate SuperbOwls and citizen science. Get started with the projects we’ve spotlighted, below. Cheer for science…like 49ers cheerleader Kelly! Cognitive neuroscientist and San Francisco 49ers Gold Rush Cheerleader Kelly…