Cats like to play fetch, as long as it's on their terms – new research

There hasn’t been a lot of research into adult cat play, but a new study shows it’s not just dogs who like to play fetch.

Jemma Forman, PhD Candidate in Psychology, University of Sussex • conversation
Dec. 21, 2023 ~6 min

Stones inside fish ears mark time like tree rings – and now they're helping us learn about climate change

My team studied bluefin tuna otoliths to learn why some populations are recovering faster than others.

Clive Trueman, Professor of Marine Biology, University of Southampton • conversation
Nov. 27, 2023 ~7 min


What the world's oldest dog can tell us about ageing

There’s a surprising amount of crossover in what things help human and dog longevity.

Jacqueline Boyd, Senior Lecturer in Animal Science, Nottingham Trent University • conversation
Nov. 13, 2023 ~6 min

How animal traits have shaped the journey of species across the globe

New research looks at how different species have managed to cross geographic barriers throughout history and whether their individual traits played a crucial role in these journeys.

Sarah-Sophie Weil, PhD candidate, Swansea University • conversation
Oct. 17, 2023 ~7 min

Scientists can't agree on when the first animals evolved – our research hopes to end the debate

Charles Darwin knew the evidence from fossils contradicted evolution. Researchers are still trying to work out the problem today.

Ross Anderson, Research Fellow in Palaeobiology, University of Oxford • conversation
Oct. 13, 2023 ~6 min

Female animals teach each other to choose unusual males – new research

A new study modelled how a game of snog, marry, avoid, may play out in the animal kingdom.

Louise Gentle, Principal Lecturer in Wildlife Conservation, Nottingham Trent University • conversation
Oct. 3, 2023 ~7 min

What's the carbon footprint of owning pet fish? An expert explains

New research reveals the environmental impact of keeping tropical fish as household pets – but there are ways to reduce it.

William Perry, Postdoctoral Research Associate at the School of Biosciences, Cardiff University • conversation
Sept. 26, 2023 ~7 min

Why invasive ants are a silent threat to our ecosystems

Invasive ants are a major threat to biodiversity, according to a study.

Maximillian Tercel, PhD candidate, Cardiff University • conversation
Sept. 19, 2023 ~6 min


Can animals give birth to twins?

Animals often give birth to litters of more than one offspring at a time. But are those babies twins?

Tracy Jaffe, Assistant Clinical Professor of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University • conversation
Sept. 11, 2023 ~7 min

Memes about animal resistance are everywhere — here’s why you shouldn’t laugh off rebellious orcas and sea otters too quickly

A few marine mammals in apparent revolt pushed meme-makers into overdrive. But a scholar who thinks about justice and human-animal relations suggests something deeper is behind the schadenfreude.

Alexandra Isfahani-Hammond, Associate Professor Emerita of Comparative Literature, University of California, San Diego • conversation
Aug. 18, 2023 ~10 min

/

8