Animal news, with the source on every story
The latest animal news from around the world: wildlife, pets, oceans and conservation, in full, with the source named and a link to the original.
Habitats and conservation
Southwestern Germany's biodiversity hotspots are declining
Long-term study finds plant diversity loss in key regions like Swabian Alb and Black Forest due to climate and land use changes.
Phys.org · · 1 min read
Insects and pollinators
Rare mining bee discovered at Somerset wetland reserve
A restored saltmarsh in the West Country has attracted sea aster mining bees, marking a surprising westward expansion for the distinctive coastal pollinator.
BBC News · · 1 min read
Insects and pollinators
Jumping spiders experience two distinct sleep stages
A study of Australian jumping spiders revealed resting behaviors similar to REM sleep, marking the first experimental proof of true sleep cycles in arachnids.
Phys.org · · 2 min read
Habitats and conservation
Partners pledge $500m to help rescue threatened species
A coalition led by the Bezos Earth Fund will fund targeted recovery projects to reverse severe vertebrate wildlife declines and prevent extinctions.
Mongabay · · 2 min read
Ocean life
Offshore gas plan threatens Australian turtles and whales
An environmental regulator warned that drilling in the Browse basin could cause irreversible destruction to Scott Reef habitats.
The Guardian · · 1 min read
Birds
Crows outpace humans and monkeys in decision-making speed
Study finds crows make visual choices in under a quarter second while maintaining high accuracy, revealing unique neural mechanisms
Phys.org · · 1 min read
Wild mammals
Koalas face chlamydia threat as vaccine debate continues
Researchers question the efficacy of a newly approved koala chlamydia vaccine while antibiotic treatments also pose risks to the endangered marsupials.
The Guardian · · 1 min read
Reptiles and amphibians
Study suggests Spinosaurus lived mostly underwater
Researchers used machine learning and wartime statistical models to evaluate ancient skeletal data, revealing highly aquatic habits in the predatory dinosaur.
ScienceDaily · · 1 min read
Birds
Azores island dims lights to protect young seabirds
Residents of Corvo turn off street illumination every autumn to prevent fledgling Cory's shearwaters from crashing into village roads.
The Guardian · · 1 min read
Habitats and conservation
Habitat more important than climate for Finnish wildlife
Researchers find habitat composition explains species distribution better than climate across Finland's regions and species groups.
Phys.org · · 1 min read
Wild mammals
Climate change threatens Australia's kangaroo species
Scientists warn that worsening droughts, fires and heatwaves are pushing kangaroos toward extinction, especially smaller species.
Mongabay · · 2 min read
Wild mammals
Iconic Sri Lankan elephant's death spurs protection measures
Kavantissa, a beloved wild elephant known for never harming humans, was killed by a gunshot wound, prompting urgent conservation measures in Sri Lanka.
Mongabay · · 1 min read
Birds
Visual deterrents lower seabird bycatch in gillnets
Rotating buoys and bird-shaped kites significantly cut down accidental drownings of diving seabirds off the English coast.
Mongabay · · 2 min read
Ocean life
Rainbow sea slug spreads to Cornwall with warming seas
A flashy nudibranch normally found off Spain and Portugal is turning up in southern England as seas warm, delighting rockpoolers.
The Guardian · · 1 min read
Wild mammals
Mother bats' hearts race at sound of their own pups
New research shows Japanese house bat mothers experience immediate physiological arousal when hearing isolation calls from their biological offspring.
Phys.org · · 2 min read
Insects and pollinators
Wasp nest removed from wildlife trust office
A nature reserve manager allowed insects to shelter inside her workspace for months before dismantling the structure once the colony moved away.
BBC News · · 1 min read
Habitats and conservation
English estate records over 5,000 wildlife species
Surveys at Cambridgeshire's Wimpole Estate reveal rare bats and insects thriving despite severe regional drought and ongoing habitat pressures.
BBC News · · 1 min read
Birds
Migrating waders gather in Poole harbour for winter
Thousands of traveling shorebirds, including dunlins from eastern breeding grounds, are flocking to Dorset mudflats along the East Atlantic Flyway.
The Guardian · · 1 min read