animal behavior – Page 7 – The Loh Down On Science

Stripey Cows

September 28, 2020 Claudia-Francisca Lopez Camara

A black cow painted with vertical black and white stripes in a zebra pattern

Is zebra print magical? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. It’s been said that a zebra is just a horse in striped pajamas! But WHY do zebras have stripes? Past studies have shown they DON’T regulate body temperature or confuse predators. So, what’s the use?

Tree Lickers

September 24, 2020 Racine Rangel

A koala bear sitting in a tree grabbing a branch

THIRSTY…but stuck in a tree?! This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Sleeping for twenty hours, snacking for the other four? No, it’s not my COVID-nineteen work schedule – it’s a typical koala bear day! But HOW do koalas stay hydrated with such a “BUSY” routine?

Juggling Otters

September 8, 2020 Lauren Urban

What has four paws and juggles? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science saying…. Otters! These furry creatures juggle rocks like they’re auditioning for the circus. But, what motivates this OTTERLY adorable behavior? Mari-Lisa Allison and colleagues from the University of Exeter wondered! Otters are the

Relephant Factors

July 10, 2020 Krista Fruehauf

What makes an elephant pack its trunk. . . and leave? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Elephant societies are matriarchal. Mothers and grandmothers lead the way. Sadly, older females are often targeted for their tusks. This leaves their family orphaned! So what happens when poaching removes

A Parasite’s Parasite

April 28, 2020 Evelyn Hoover

Tales from the Crypt… home to PARASITIC WASPS? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Parasites typically target only ONE species at a time. Researchers have assumed the CRYPT-KEEPER, a known parasitic wasp, was no different. Its typical host-du-jour is another wasp called Bassettia pallida… BP

Something to Crow About

November 18, 2019 Hunter Allison

You’re a bird brain! Hey, that’s a compliment! This is Sandra Tsing Loh with The Loh Down on Science. Starting with a cupcake, could you figure out how to make another one? If you didn’t know anything about baking, probably not! Humans learn by watching others and imitating behaviors.. Is

Pretty Lemur

November 12, 2019 Maureen Purcell

Was the leafy green diet invented by. . . lemurs? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Tasty fruit grows on Madagascar, where lemurs roam. Yet, their diets are far less fruity than other primate diets – they prefer their leafy greens. This LEAVES scientists baffled.

Glowing Sharks

November 8, 2019 Chloe Groome

Lions and tigers and glowing sharks, oh my? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science, saying: We’re gonna need a bigger boat! Lots of ocean-dwelling animals glow. Biofluorescence allows a marine animal–say, a shark–to take in light and convert it to a different color. What color?

Sad Crow(d)

October 22, 2019 Sasha Vyatskikh

Does a sad emoji make you feel sad too? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with The Loh Down on Science. Good times, bad times – friends share it all! And sometimes, we unconsciously match the mood of those around us. This effect is called EMOTIONAL CONTAGION. Even our dogs seem

Puppy Dog Eyes

October 14, 2019 Maria Montchal

Ever seen an ugly puppy? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science, saying – no such thing! They’re ALL cute! And they somehow look the most adorable when they’ve done something bad. It’s all in those pleading puppy dog eyes. Sometimes instead of a scolding, Fido