Can I Eat My Christmas Tree? The Savory Science of Conifers
Do you hear it yet? The vexing voice inside your head? It starts as a whisper, quiet enough for you to ignore as you bask in the post-holiday haze. But you can’t silence the...
Tagged: Biology
Why Eating Like a Bird Might Get You Banned From Holiday Dinners
Some birds have terrible table manners. While many dinner guests are guilty of ignoring etiquette — especially around the holidays — some feathered friends have habits far more egregious than monopolizing the mashed potatoes...
Does Size Matter? It Depends Whether You’re a Pigeon or a Parakeet
Pugnacious pigeons. Cantankerous canaries. Sparring starlings. When birds flock together, feathers often fly. Even though knock-down-drag-out fights are rare, birds frequently squabble to establish their place in the pecking order. The biggest bullies usually...
Growling Ghosts and Beatboxing Behemoths! The Surprising Percussive Prowess of Crabs
In a list of noisy animals, crabs wouldn’t crack the top 20—maybe even the top 50. Lions? Check. Wolves? Sure. Parrots? Gotcha. Howler monkeys? Of course. But crabs? We usually think of them as...
Is it Time to Replace Toucan Sam? How Elephants Follow Their Noses to the Fruitiest Flavors
He’s rapped with rhinos, outwitted pirates, and escaped the clutches of carnivorous flowers—all in the name of breakfast cereal. In his 60+ years as the Froot Loops mascot, Toucan Sam has starred in hundreds...
Zoo Biologist Insists Storks are Cooler Than Pandas
Tom Jensen doesn’t hate pandas. He just thinks they are overrated. Although these charismatic bears attracted record crowds during their time at the San Diego Zoo, Jensen insists there are “cooler and prettier” black...
4 Things About Bananas That Will Make You Feel a Whole Bunch Smarter!
Bananas are the MVP of the fruit world. The average American eats 26 pounds (12 kilograms) per year, which is only a fraction of the 100 billion bananas consumed worldwide. Whether you slice them over
