Daisy Mae's Interspecies Cafe

Evolutionary biologists have something called the “island rule,” which posits that organisms that evolve on islands will, over time, become smaller than their mainland counterparts. A new dwarf dinosaur species discovered in western Romania – which long, long ago featured tropical islands – supports the theory.

Flat-headed Dino Discovered in Romania (!) — Manuela Hoelterhoff Evolutionary biologists have something called the “island rule,” which posits that organisms that evolve on islands will, over time, become smaller than their mainland counterparts. A new dwarf dinosaur species discovered in western Romania – which long, long ago featured tropical islands – ...

We’ve known for some time that the Toxoplasma gondii parasite can infect the brains of rodents, forcing them via mind control into fatal encounters with predators. Now scientists have observed that wolves infected with T. gondii are also altering their behavior, in their case by taking more risks.

Parasite Alters the Brains of Wolves, Humans — Manuela Hoelterhoff We’ve known for some time that the Toxoplasma gondii parasite can infect the brains of rodents, forcing them via mind control into fatal encounters with predators. Now scientists have observed that wolves infected with T. gondii are also altering their behavior, in their case by taking more risk

Christie’s was about to auction off a Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton in Hong Kong this month, looking to fetch between $15 million and $25 million, but canceled the sale when doubts were raised about how much of the fossilized bones was really old and how the critter was described in marketing materials.

Christie’s Yanks T. Rex  Off the Auction Block — Manuela Hoelterhoff Christie’s was about to auction off a Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton in Hong Kong this month, looking to fetch between $15 million and $25 million, but canceled the sale when doubts were raised about how much of the fossilized bones were really old and how the critter was described in marketing materi

The king of England has banned foie gras from all royal residences. Not a surprising development since, as the Prince of Wales, Charles had kiboshed foie gras from his properties.

King Charles Won’t be Serving Foie Gras to Ramaphosa — Manuela Hoelterhoff The king of England has banned foie gras from all royal residences. Not a surprising development since, as the Prince of Wales, Charles had kiboshed foie gras from his properties.

Italian media went a little bit berserk last week when two hikers in South Tyrol called for help. The 23-year-old women had encountered a pack of seven or eight creatures approaching them “threateningly” before moving away and watching them from a distance.
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Stupid Italian Women Rescued from ‘Wolves’ — Manuela Hoelterhoff Italian media went a little bit berserk last week when two hikers in South Tyrol called for help. The 23-year-old women had encountered a pack of seven or eight creatures approaching them “threateningly” before moving away and watching them from a distance.

Researchers at Simon Fraser University have been watching the mating rituals of the false widow spider (Steatoda grossa). They find that the female spins her web, douses it with pheromones to attract males, then tweaks the composition of her come-hither chemicals as necessary to elicit the desired sexual response.

Virgin False Widow Spiders Find Love With Chemistry — Manuela Hoelterhoff Researchers at Simon Fraser University have been watching the mating rituals of the false widow spider ( Steatoda grossa ). They find that the female spins her web, douses it with pheromones to attract males, then tweaks the composition of her come-hither chemicals as necessary to elicit the desired

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals claim that global food-delivery giant HelloFresh uses coconut milk obtained by monkey labor in Thailand. The animal-rights group this week posted its third report on Thailand’s coconut industry, “in which chained monkeys are forced to spend long hours climbing tall trees and picking heavy coconuts.”

Chained Monkeys Forced to Pick Coconuts inThailand — Manuela Hoelterhoff People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals claim that global food-delivery giant HelloFresh uses coconut milk obtained by monkey labor in Thailand. The animal-rights group this week posted its third report on Thailand’s coconut industry, “in which chained monkeys are forced to spend long hours ...

Turns out humans aren’t the only animals who like to bop to a beat. Researchers in Japan played some jams for rats and found that they too like to groove when the song is right.

Lady Gaga, Queen, Mozart Get Rats Bopping to the Beat — Manuela Hoelterhoff Turns out humans aren’t the only animals who like to bop to a beat. Researchers in Japan played some jams for rats and found that they too like to groove when the song is right. “Rats displayed innate — that is, without any training or prior exposure to music — beat synchronization most dist...

The National Park Service’s Halloween-night message started with a couple of “toad-ally terrifying” bad puns, then it got serious. “As we say with most things you come across in a national park, whether it be a banana slug, unfamiliar mushroom, or a large toad with glowing eyes in the dead of night, please refrain from licking,” the agency posted on Facebook.

Hunter Biden Credits Large, Lickable Toad for Brief Moments of Sobriety — Manuela Hoelterhoff The National Park Service’s Halloween-night message started with a couple of “toad-ally terrifying” bad puns, then it got serious. “As we say with most things you come across in a national park, whether it be a banana slug, unfamiliar mushroom, or a large toad with glowing eyes in the dead o...

Drone photographer Jess Wohling captured a most unusual image off the coast of Western Australia last week: an adult southern right whale (Eubalaena australis) swimming alongside a juvenile humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae).

Interspecies Adoption Shocks Authorities — Manuela Hoelterhoff Drone photographer Jess Wohling captured a most unusual image off the coast of Western Australia last week: an adult southern right whale ( Eubalaena australis ) swimming alongside a juvenile humpback whale ( Megaptera novaeangliae ).

Scientists are deploying all manner of tech to listen to (and even interpret) the sounds of wildlife. Will drones, artificial intelligence, and digital recorders lead us to “a zoological version of Google Translate”?

Can Robots Learn to Talk to Animals? — Manuela Hoelterhoff

Ornithorhynchus anatinus is one odd duck. With a tail like a beaver’s, webbed feet, nostrils that can clamp shut for underwater foraging, this egg-laying mammal seeks prey by detecting electrical fields using receptors on their bills. Having no ni***es doesn’t stop them from nursing their young, which feed through pores in mama’s skin.

New Challenge for the Bioluminescent Platypus  — Manuela Hoelterhoff Ornithorhynchus anatinus is one odd duck. With a tail like a beaver’s, webbed feet, nostrils that can clamp shut for underwater foraging, this egg-laying mammal seeks prey by detecting electrical fields using receptors on their bills. Having no ni***es doesn’t stop them from nursing their young,...

A barred owl in Hansville, Washington has a territorial feud ongoing with a local woman. The aggressive bird has attacked her twice – silent swoops from above that result in painful smacks to the back of her head – and biologists say such avian sorties will become more common.

Hostile Hoot Owl Mocks Local Woman — Manuela Hoelterhoff A barred owl in Hansville, Washington has a territorial feud ongoing with a local woman. The aggressive bird has attacked her twice – silent swoops from above that result in painful smacks to the back of her head – and biologists say such avian sorties will become more common.

When neuroscientist Margaret Livingstone published “Triggers for a mother’s love,” in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in September, there wasn’t much of a reaction in scientific circles. Then social media began discussing the details of the study and a backlash began, leading to a damning letter to PNAS, co-signed by 250 scientists calling for retraction.

Cruel ‘Mother’s Love’ Monkey Study Fuels Backlash — Manuela Hoelterhoff When neuroscientist Margaret Livingstone published “Triggers for a mother’s love,” in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in September, there wasn’t much of a reaction in scientific circles. Then social media began discussing the details of the study and a backlash began, lea...

In the past couple of weeks, local news outlets across the US (to the extent they still exist) have published articles on dangerous chemicals polluting our waterways. That’s because the Waterkeeper Alliance just published an exhaustive report on “per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances,” more handily known as PFAS.

‘Everybody’s Contaminated’ — Manuela Hoelterhoff In the past couple of weeks, local news outlets across the US (to the extent they still exist) have published articles on dangerous chemicals polluting our waterways. That’s because the Waterkeeper Alliance just published an exhaustive report on “per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances,” more hand...

It’s that time of year when humans foist Halloween upon their pets by making them wear costumes – dogs dressed as pumpkins or hotdogs or even as cats, the final indignity.
Chewies

Is Baxter Hoping You Lost His Stegosaurus Costume?  — Manuela Hoelterhoff It’s that time of year when humans foist Halloween upon their pets by making them wear costumes – dogs dressed as pumpkins or hotdogs or even as cats, the final indignity.

Observing the natural world every day is a task that is always educational, often wondrous, and sometimes a little gross. Case in point, an article published this week in the Journal of Zoology: “A review of nose picking in primates with new evidence of its occurrence in Daubentonia madagascariensis.”

The Mysterious Middle Finger of the Snot-Nosed Aye-Aye — Manuela Hoelterhoff Observing the natural world every day is a task that is always educational, often wondrous, and sometimes a little gross. Case in point, an article published this week in the Journal of Zoology : “A review of nose picking in primates with new evidence of its occurrence in Daubentonia madagascarien

Joaquin Phoenix turns 48 on Friday (October 28), which means the Academy Award-winning actor has been an advocate for animal rights for a solid 45 years.

Joaquin Phoenix’s Lifetime of Animal Love — Manuela Hoelterhoff Joaquin Phoenix turns 48 on Friday (October 28), which means the Academy Award-winning actor has been an advocate for animal rights for a solid 45 years.

A female African lion named Zuri has raised eyebrows (and other bodily hair) at the Topeka Zoo & Conservation Center. For the past two years the 18-year-old has been growing a mane, just like a dude.

Topeka’s Gender-Bending Lioness Grows a Mane — Manuela Hoelterhoff A female African lion named Zuri has raised eyebrows (and other bodily hair) at the Topeka Zoo & Conservation Center. For the past two years the 18-year-old has been growing a mane, just like a dude.

The African giant pouched rat, also called the Gambian pouched rat, is a large, nocturnal rodent with terrible eyesight. It is also intelligent and fairly easy to train – mostly to seek out landmines, but its skill set is expanding.

Giant Bomb-Sniffing Rats Develop New Talents — Manuela Hoelterhoff The African giant pouched rat, also called the Gambian pouched rat, is a large, nocturnal rodent with terrible eyesight. It is also intelligent and fairly easy to train – mostly to seek out landmines, but its skill set is expanding.

In March, a new species of fish was discovered off the coast of the Maldives. More specifically, a misidentified fish discovered in the 1990s has been properly identified as a new species.

Transgender Rose-Veiled Fairy Wrasse Floats Into View — Manuela Hoelterhoff In March, a new species of fish was discovered off the coast of the Maldives. More specifically, a misidentified fish discovered in the 1990s has been properly identified as a new species.

When the annual Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition rolls around, there’s always (at least) one image of a species we had never seen before. In this year’s competition – the 58th by the UK’s Natural History Museum – that animal is the houbara of the Canary Islands.

Ndakasi’s Death in Ranger’s Arms Receives Wildlife Award   — Manuela Hoelterhoff When the annual Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition rolls around, there’s always (at least) one image of a species we had never seen before. In this year’s competition – the 58th by the UK’s Natural History Museum – that animal is the houbara of the Canary Islands.

For the first time, Alaska has canceled its winter snow crab season in the Bering Sea because of a shocking decline in the crab population. There were an estimated eight billion snow crabs in 2018, a number that dropped off a cliff to a mere one billion last year.

Where Have 7 Billion Snow Crabs Gone? — Manuela Hoelterhoff For the first time, Alaska has canceled its winter snow crab season in the Bering Sea because of a shocking decline in the crab population. There were an estimated eight billion snow crabs in 2018, a number that dropped off a cliff to a mere one billion last year.

The only real surprise in a new report on wildlife populations, compiled by the World Wildlife Fund and the Zoological Society of London, is that climate change is not the main villain (yet).

The Message is Clear and the Lights are Flashing Red — Manuela Hoelterhoff The only real surprise in a new report on wildlife populations, compiled by the World Wildlife Fund and the Zoological Society of London, is that climate change is not the main villain (yet). After analyzing years of data on thousands of wildlife populations across the world, the authors of “Livin...

Dogue, which is French for “mastiff,” is the brainchild of Rahmi Massarweh and wife Alejandra. At this posh new restaurant in San Francisco’s cool Mission District you can watch your dog wolf down a three course meal for $75.

Bone Appetit! Dogue’s $75 Tasting Menu — Manuela Hoelterhoff Dogue, which is French for “mastiff,” is the brainchild of Rahmi Massarweh and wife Alejandra. At this posh new restaurant in San Francisco’s cool Mission District you can watch your dog wolf down a three course meal for $75.

Fat Bear Week is over at Katmai National Park and the winner is … this big boy! Bear 747 took the honors, staving off a late challenge by this zaftig beauty, 2019 champion Bear 435, aka Holly

Fat Bear’s Week 747 Wins Big — Manuela Hoelterhoff Fat Bear Week is over at Katmai National Park and the winner is … this big boy. Bear 747 took the honors!

Two animal-rights activists were acquitted this week of felony burglary and theft charges, five years after breaking into one of Smithfield Foods’ factory farms in Utah. After taking damning video footage of the farm’s horrendous conditions the pair departed with two piglets.

Piglet Thieves Acquittal Leaves Smithfield Disappointed  — Manuela Hoelterhoff Two animal-rights activists were acquitted this week of felony burglary and theft charges, five years after breaking into one of Smithfield Foods’ factory farms in Utah. After taking damning video footage of the farm’s horrendous conditions the pair departed with two piglets.

This week Live Science asks, “Is it safe to give cats milk?” The answer is unequivocal: nope. Kittens start their lives on mother’s milk but most lose the ability to digest lactose as they age. Milk has limited nutritive value, is fatty, and contains phosphates, which are especially hard on cats with kidney issues.

Cats and Milk Really Don’t Mix — Manuela Hoelterhoff This week Live Science asks, “Is it safe to give cats milk?” The answer is unequivocal: nope. Kittens start their lives on mother’s milk but most lose the ability to digest lactose as they age. Milk has limited nutritive value, is fatty, and contains phosphates, which are especially hard on ca...

In Germany a wild boar piglet was separated from her peers, probably when the group (called a “sounder”) crossed a river. Fortunately the lone pig found some friends in a herd of cows, which have now adopted her as one of their one.

Bonobos, like humans and other great apes, spend a long time in childhood dependent on their parents. And like humans, when a baby brother or sister bonobo arrives on the scene, there can be friction.

Even Without Thanksgiving, Bonobos Find Family Life Stressful — Manuela Hoelterhoff Bonobos, like humans and other great apes, spend a long time in childhood dependent on their parents. And like humans, when a baby brother or sister bonobo arrives on the scene, there can be friction.

As Florida continues assessing the damage wrought by Hurricane Ian, there’s one bit of good news: Ernest Hemingway’s Key West home has weathered the storm unscathed and, more importantly, so have the 59 cats that live there.

Hemingway’s Fat-Footed Cats Weather the Storm — Manuela Hoelterhoff As Florida continues assessing the damage wrought by Hurricane Ian, there’s one bit of good news: Ernest Hemingway’s Key West home has weathered the storm unscathed and, more importantly, so have the 59 cats that live there.

Dallas-based biotech company Colossal Biosciences says it is “combining the science of genetics [as they] endeavor to jumpstart nature’s ancestral heartbeat.” In other words, they want to resurrect the extinct wooly mammoth.

CIA, Paris Hilton, Peter Thiel Invest In Wooly Mammoth Resurrection — Manuela Hoelterhoff Dallas-based biotech company Colossal Biosciences says it is “combining the science of genetics [as they] endeavor to jumpstart nature’s ancestral heartbeat.” In other words, they want to resurrect the extinct wooly mammoth.

This week Sinogene Biotechnology of Beijing showed off its latest creation, a clone of a Canadian Arctic wolf born to a surrogate beagle mom. The cub, named Maya, was born (if that’s the right term) on June 10. The surrogate mom remains nameless. (Why?)

Beagle Gives Birth to Cloned Arctic Wolf — Manuela Hoelterhoff This week Sinogene Biotechnology of Beijing showed off its latest creation, a clone of a Canadian Arctic wolf born to a surrogate beagle mom. The cub, named Maya, was born (if that’s the right term) on June 10. The surrogate mom remains nameless. (Why?)

A gigantic and ancient stand of aspen known as Pando is at risk of fragmentation and decline, researchers say. Located in central Utah on the Fishlake National Forest, Pando’s size might be no match for the insects, disease, and grazing animals that have been nipping at the trees and slowing its regeneration.

Pando, World’s Largest Organism Is Breaking Up — Manuela Hoelterhoff A gigantic and ancient stand of aspen known as Pando is at risk of fragmentation and decline, researchers say. Located in central Utah on the Fishlake National Forest, Pando’s size might be no match for the insects, disease, and grazing animals that have been nipping at the trees and slowing its r...

It’s that time of year when residents of Iceland’s Westman Islands gather thousands of baby puffins and heave them off a cliff. The chicks not only survive the strange annual intervention, it’s crucial to their survival.

Bird-Tossing Season In Iceland — Manuela Hoelterhoff It’s that time of year when residents of Iceland’s Westman Islands gather thousands of baby puffins and heave them off a cliff. The chicks not only survive the strange annual intervention, it’s crucial to their survival.

Alameda County has banned the rodeo spectacle of “wild cow milking,” in which lactating beef cows are separated from their calves, chased around an arena until roped and tackled into submission, then forcibly milked. The Mercury News calls this barbarism “one of the sport’s more popular local events.”

A Ban on Wild Cow Milking Annoys Rodeo Oldtimers — Manuela Hoelterhoff Alameda County has banned the rodeo spectacle of “wild cow milking,” in which lactating beef cows are separated from their calves, chased around an arena until roped and tackled into submission, then forcibly milked. The Mercury News calls this barbarism “one of the sport’s more popular loca...

A grey seal emerged from the sea off the Massachusetts coast and flopped into the seaside town of Beverly. The seal took up residence in the inland Shoe Pond where local authorities failed repeatedly to capture the wayward mammal.

Traveling Seal Seeks Direction At Police Station — Manuela Hoelterhoff A grey seal emerged from the sea off the Massachusetts coast and flopped into the seaside town of Beverly. The seal took up residence in the inland Shoe Pond where local authorities failed repeatedly to capture the wayward mammal.

The world’s largest pelicans have survived many threats, but in Albania a planned airport construction could finally do them in. The Dalmatian pelican (Pelecanus crispus) is listed as ‘near threatened’ by the IUCN.

Turkish Conglomerate Threatens Albanian Pelicans (!) — Manuela Hoelterhoff The world’s largest pelicans have survived many threats, but in Albania a planned airport construction could finally do them in. The Dalmatian pelican ( Pelecanus crispus ) is listed as ‘near threatened’ by the IUCN.

Researchers at the Universities of Hong Kong and Würzburg, Germany have addressed a question that no one asked, “How many ants are there on Earth?” The answer: 20 quadrillion.

The Ants, They’re Everywhere — Manuela Hoelterhoff Researchers at the Universities of Hong Kong and Würzburg, Germany have addressed a question that no one asked, “How many ants are there on Earth?” The answer: 20 quadrillion. It’s difficult to grasp the enormity of such a number. The authors of the study that painstakingly added up the ants ...

Certain small mammal species – shrews, voles, stoats, weasels – shrink their brains and other organs in wintertime, a strategy that helps them conserve energy when food is scarce. Now the European mole (Talpa europaea) has been found to deploy this same weird adaptation.

Unusual Mole Shrinks Its Brain Every Winter  — Manuela Hoelterhoff Certain small mammal species – shrews, voles, stoats, weasels – shrink their brains and other organs in wintertime, a strategy that helps them conserve energy when food is scarce. Now the European mole ( Talpa europaea ) has been found to deploy this same weird adaptation.