For six years, Sphen and Magic were devoted partners, adoptive parents and queer icons. After Sphen died this month at age 11, Magic began singing.
Tag: Animal Behavior
Dolphin Attacks Spoil Summer Along a Stretch of Japanese Beaches
Nearly 50 beachgoers have been attacked in the past three years. Some marine experts suspect it may be the work of a single “lonely” dolphin.
Like Cyclists in a Peloton, Schooling Fish Save Energy, Study Finds
Like Olympic cyclists, fish expend less effort when swimming in tight groups than when alone. The finding could explain why some species evolved to move in schools.
Hiker’s Death Prompts Move to Allow Wider Bear Cull in Romania
But some experts described the planned cull as excessive and said it would not keep people safe.
Each Year Flying Ants Emerge Across the U.K. And Yes, They’re Annoying.
Winged ants emerge from the soil on hot summer days with one goal: find a mate — fast. These insects are annoying, but experts say they play a vital role in the environment.
On the Kenya-Tanzania Border, an Elephant Hunting Ban Has Collapsed
Five bulls from the area around a Kenyan wildlife reserve have been shot and killed in Tanzania in recent months. The countries have very different conservation strategies.
How Science Went to the Dogs (and Cats)
Pets were once dismissed as trivial scientific subjects. Today, companion animal science is hot.
A Feline Scientist Explains Why Your Cat Might Actually Like You
Cats are more social than they are often given credit for. Can you help yours access its inner dog?
Monkeys in Puerto Rico Got Nicer After Hurricane Maria
Macaques, reeling from a hurricane, learned by necessity to get along, a study found. It’s one of the first to suggest that animals can adapt to environmental upheaval with social changes.
Can Parrots Converse? Polly Says That’s the Wrong Question.
In a cautious new paper, scientists tried to determine whether an interactive speech board might enrich the life of a parrot named Ellie.