Tag: wildlife behavior

  • Humpback Whales Gathered in Groups of Up to 200, and No One Knows Why

    Humpback Whales Gathered in Groups of Up to 200, and No One Knows Why

    Marine biologist Ken Findlay expected another routine research cruise off South Africa’s coast. Instead, he encountered something that defied everything scientists know about humpback whale behavior. Ahead of his vessel, the ocean surface erupted with activity. Massive dark shapes breached and dove in perfect synchrony. Spouts shot skyward in rapid succession across an area no…

  • Female Frogs Fake Their Death to Avoid Mating With Males They Don’t Like

    Female Frogs Fake Their Death to Avoid Mating With Males They Don’t Like

    When danger strikes in the animal kingdom, the options are often fight, flee… or, in some cases, play dead. Opossums collapse into limp stillness when a predator closes in. Certain dragonflies plummet to the ground, feigning lifelessness to avoid a mate they’ve already accepted once. And now, scientists have discovered a surprising new member of…