Exploding ants: The ultimate sacrifice
Some ants have a remarkable way of defending their colony from invaders. They explode themselves, releasing a toxic yellow goo that kills or repels the enemy. This behavior is called autothysis and it is found in a new species of ant named Colobopsis explodens. These ants live in the treetops of Borneo and face threats from aggressive weaver ants. By sacrificing themselves, they protect their nest and their kin.
Octopuses: The underwater boxers
Octopuses are amazing creatures that can do many things. One of their abilities is to punch their prey and predators with their arms. They do this by contracting their muscles and releasing them quickly, creating a powerful force. This behavior helps them hunt, defend themselves, and compete with other octopuses. Sometimes, they even punch fish for no apparent reason, just to show who is the boss. Octopuses are truly the underwater boxers of the animal kingdom.
Dolphins and pufferfish: A match made in heaven?
Dolphins are known for their intelligence and curiosity. They often interact with other animals in the ocean, such as pufferfish. Pufferfish are fish that can inflate their bodies and release a toxin when threatened. Some researchers have observed dolphins playing with pufferfish and gently passing them around. They speculate that dolphins may be getting a mild intoxication from the pufferfish toxin, which could explain their playful behavior. However, this hypothesis has not been confirmed by scientific evidence. Therefore, the question remains: are dolphins and pufferfish a match made in heaven or just a coincidence?
Crows: The mourners of the animal kingdom
Did you know that some crows hold funerals for their dead? Researchers have observed that when a crow dies, other crows gather around the body and make loud calls. This behavior is not only a way of mourning, but also a way of learning from the death. By inspecting the corpse and the surroundings, the crows can figure out what killed their fellow bird and avoid the same fate in the future. Therefore, crows’ funerals are both emotional and educational events.
Bees: The dance of life
Bees are amazing creatures that have many ways of communicating. One of the most fascinating methods is the dance language. Some bees use this language to tell other bees where to find food sources. They perform different types of dances depending on the distance and direction of the food. For example, the waggle dance is used for distant food sources, while the round dance is used for nearby ones. The bees also vary the speed and duration of their dances to convey more information. By doing so, they help their colony survive and thrive.
Spiders: The masters of deception
Some spiders have a clever way of fooling their predators. They create decoys of themselves using insect corpses, plant parts and other debris . These decoys look like exact replicas of the spiders sitting in the middle of their webs. Some spiders even shake their webs to make the decoys appear to move. By building these fake models, the spiders hope to divert the attention of wasps and other enemies that might attack them.
Birds: The fur thieves
Some birds have a clever way of building their nests. They steal fur from sleeping animals to make their nests soft and warm. For example, hummingbirds pluck fur from the backs of deer and elk. Similarly, chickadees snatch fur from the tails of squirrels and dogs. However, not all animals are happy to share their fur. Sometimes, they wake up and chase away the birds. Therefore, the birds have to be quick and quiet when they steal fur.
Lizards: The blood-squirting warriors
Some lizards have a remarkable defense mechanism: they squirt blood from their eyes. This behavior is called ocular autohemorrhaging and it is used to deter predators or parasites. The blood is not harmful to the lizards, but it may startle or disgust their attackers. Moreover, the blood contains chemicals that are unpleasant to some animals, such as canids. Ocular autohemorrhaging is found in several species of horned lizards and a few other groups of lizards.
Monkeys: The hair flossers
Some monkeys have a surprising habit: they floss their teeth with hair. This behavior is not only observed in captivity, but also in the wild. Researchers believe that flossing helps monkeys to remove food particles and parasites from their teeth. Moreover, flossing may also serve a social function, as monkeys often floss in front of each other or share their flossing materials.
Frogs: The masters of cryogenics
Some frogs have a remarkable ability to survive freezing temperatures. They can enter a state of suspended animation, where their heart stops beating and their blood stops flowing. When the temperature rises, they thaw out and resume their normal activities. This process allows them to cope with harsh winter conditions.
