#Animals16

9 Jun 2026

Biological signals that predict lifespan appear in dogs

New research from the Dog Aging Project finds that the same biological signals linked to human lifespan also appear in dogs. The study, published in The Journals of Gerontology, compared dog data with large human studies.

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Photo by Jamie Street, Unsplash

30 May 2026

Nightjars use wing snaps in courtship

Researchers in northern Argentina found that male scissor-tailed nightjars make a snapping sound by striking their wing joints during courtship. The behavior was filmed with high-speed infrared cameras in predawn darkness.

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15 May 2026

Many US Dogs Show Fear in Daily Life

A large owner‑reported analysis found that most dogs in the United States show at least mild signs of fear or anxiety in everyday situations. The data come from owners and cover many places and types of dogs.

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13 May 2026

Dog owners' ethics and their training methods

A study links dog owners' training choices to their ethical views of animals. Researchers from the University of Copenhagen and the University of Edinburgh surveyed 500 US dog owners and found clear connections to welfare and rights.

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15 Apr 2026

Ants learn and change colony scent

A study shows ants can learn a colony scent and stop attacking foster nestmates after prolonged contact. The effect fades if contact stops, but short encounters can keep tolerance alive.

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28 Mar 2026

How horses make a two‑tone whinny

Researchers discovered that a horse’s whinny has a low tone from vocal‑fold vibration and a high tone from a laryngeal whistle. Experiments with air and helium helped prove the two different sound sources.

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13 Feb 2026

Bonobo Kanzi Shows Apes Can Pretend

Researchers report that a bonobo named Kanzi can imagine and play pretend. Three controlled experiments, reported in Science, show he understood pretend objects and suggest this ability may go back millions of years.

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3 Feb 2026

A Week in Foster Care Lowers Shelter Dog Stress

A study led by Virginia Tech found that a one-week foster stay reduced stress in shelter dogs. Researchers measured cortisol and activity and saw more rest and lower stress while dogs were in homes.

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26 Dec 2025

Climate shifts shaped carnivoran bodies

New research finds that ancient climate changes helped shape the bodies of carnivorans, which evolved from mongoose-like ancestors. Two major transitions — about 34 million and 15–13 million years ago — influenced body-shape diversification.

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22 Dec 2025

Wombats use square feces to send messages

A new study finds that wombats leave square-shaped feces at shared latrines. The droppings contain distinct chemical smells, and wombats spend more time investigating non-local scat, suggesting feces may carry social information.

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20 Dec 2025

Woodrats' genes protect them from rattlesnake venom

New research finds a genetic change that helps woodrats survive rattlesnake bites. Scientists studied a family of genes and found extra copies that can bind and block snake venom components.

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25 Nov 2025

Pet care at One Health Clinic helps youth get medical care

A study found that youth experiencing homelessness were more likely to receive medical care when clinics also offered veterinary care for their pets. The research looked at clients of the One Health Clinic in downtown Seattle and records from 2019–2022.

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25 Nov 2025

Green Hermit Hummingbird Bills for Fighting and Feeding

New research shows male green hermit hummingbird bills are shaped for fighting and for feeding. Scientists used 3D models and scans and found male bills are straighter and sharper than female bills.

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