Animal behavior is the scientific study of the observable actions, interactions, and behavioral patterns of animals, typically investigated within ethology, behavioral ecology, and comparative psychology. It encompasses mechanisms (proximate causes such as neural, hormonal, and genetic control), development (ontogeny and learning), function (adaptive value in survival and reproductive success), and evolution (phylogenetic history and divergence among taxa). Research on animal behavior quantifies activities such as foraging, mating systems, parental care, communication, social organization, and antipredator strategies, often integrating experimental, observational, and modeling approaches to understand how behavior emerges from organism–environment interactions and contributes to fitness and ecological dynamics.
Walking through the savanna-woodland landscape of Boé National Park, Guinea-Bissau, you might encounter a tree covered in gnarled scars, with an accumulation of rocks surrounding its base.
Plants & Animals
Jun 3, 2026
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A new study published in the Journal of Raptor Research, titled "Factors Influencing Nestling Sex Ratios of Suburban and Rural Red-Shouldered Hawks, 2004–2016," finds that hawk parents prioritize producing female offspring ...
Plants & Animals
Jun 2, 2026
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New research from the University of St Andrews has discovered that insects who conceal themselves as leaves also use their leafy camouflage to amplify mating calls, making themselves more attractive to the opposite sex. The ...
Plants & Animals
Jun 2, 2026
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11
When a bee crashes into water, it may still be able to swim to safety. New research from Michigan State University confirms that honeybees can propel themselves across the water's surface, and their movement is purposeful ...
Plants & Animals
Jun 2, 2026
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39
Tracks left by some of the earliest complex animals are giving new insights into how they experienced the world. New research reveals how these creatures started to understand their surroundings, paving the way for animal ...
Evolution
Jun 2, 2026
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Falcons are lauded for their speed and agility. The Eurasian Hobby (Falco subbuteo), skilled at snagging birds and insects out of the air, is no exception. However, during twilight on one day in October, researcher Apostolos ...
Plants & Animals
Jun 2, 2026
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New research has found that masturbation among bird species, including parrots, is natural, despite prevailing assumptions that it is a harmful behavior in response to environmental factors.
Plants & Animals
Jun 2, 2026
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Research led by Professor Michelle LaRue from the School of Earth and Environment at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) published in Remote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation shows that high-resolution ...
Plants & Animals
Jun 2, 2026
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A new study examining harbor and gray seal pups undergoing rehabilitation in the U.K. has identified important steps that could improve animal welfare during their recovery. Researchers from the University of Chester and ...
Plants & Animals
Jun 1, 2026
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9
Bright colors in animals are beautiful but often considered risky because they are more obvious to predators. However, conspicuous colors can also serve defensively, signaling toxicity or even luring predators away from more ...
Plants & Animals
May 29, 2026
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