Harbour seals have a secret weapon when it comes to navigating murky waters. It is optic flow. This is a fancy term for the way objects move across an animal's field of vision as it moves. It is a big deal for these marine mammals. Most people think that marine mammals have poor vision, especial
The secret to why some animals live longer than others might be hidden in their genes. A team of scientists dug into the genetic makeup of various mammals. They wanted to understand how brain size and immune system strength might affect how long an animal lives. The scientists looked at the longest
The Eurasian common shrew, Sorex araneus, is a small mammal that has a unique way of dealing with winter. Instead of hibernating or migrating, it shrinks its brain, skull, and most organs. Then, come spring, it grows back to its original size. This ability to change brain size is something that scie
The platypus and echidna are two of the most unusual mammals on the planet. They are found in Australia and New Guinea. These creatures are unique because they are the only mammals that lay eggs. The platypus is known for its bill and webbed feet, which resemble those of a duck. It also has a beaver
Monotremes are a unique group of mammals. They are the only ones that lay eggs. This group includes the platypus and four types of echidnas. The platypus is quite different from echidnas. It spends a lot of time in water and digs burrows. It eats small water creatures. Echidnas, on the other hand, l
Breast tumors in dogs are quite common, and sadly, most of them are cancerous. As pets live longer and get better healthcare, vets see more of these tumors. One key factor in predicting how serious a tumor is, is its size. Tumors are usually grouped into three sizes: small (less than 3 centimeters),
The development of mammary glands in pregnant goats is a crucial process. It is especially important from the middle of pregnancy until birth. The type of fat in a goat's diet can affect this development. This is because different fats can change how genes work. These genes control the growth and li
Turkey is in the midst of a political storm. The spark? The arrest of Istanbul's mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu. This isn't just about one man, though. It's about the power struggle between President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the opposition. The protests, now in their sixth night, are a clear sign of the publ
Mercury is a sneaky element that comes in three different forms. The most troublesome form is methylmercury. It can easily slip through cellular barriers and build up in the bodies of marine mammals. In fact, over 90 percent of the mercury in these animals is in this form. This is a big deal because
Scientists have made a big leap in bringing back the woolly mammoth. They have created mice with thick, woolly fur, similar to what woolly mammoths had. This fur helped the mammoths survive the cold during the last Ice Age. The scientists used advanced genetic engineering techniques to modify specif
