Behavior
Bathing
25 Oct 2015 12:00 am
50
files
When it's time to clean off or cool down these critters show us how it's done. Penguins get a clean shower from cascading ice run off, elephants protect their skin with dust baths and bears take a nice long soak in this gallery of 'bath time' images.
Cannibalism
15 Jun 2016 12:00 am
41
files
Cannibalism is the act of one individual of a species consuming all or part of another individual of the same species as food. To consume the same species or show cannibalism is a common ecological interaction in the animal kingdom and has been recorded for more than 1,500 species. It does not, as once believed, occur only as a result of extreme food shortages or artificial conditions, but commonly occurs under natural conditions in a variety of species. This gallery includes leopards consuming rivals, mother birds eating their dead offspring and insect females dining on their jilted suitors!
Chillaxin'
18 Sep 2019 11:53 am
50
files
As summer comes to a close everyone's taking their last few moments to unwind. Check out this gallery of lazy lions, mellow marmots and lounging lemurs and get into the chillaxin' spirit yourself...
Communicating
25 Oct 2015 12:00 am
50
files
Courting
25 Oct 2015 12:00 am
49
files
Defending
25 Oct 2015 12:00 am
50
files
Creatures use a variety of techniques to protect themselves from predators or territorial intruders. Frilled Lizards flare their neck flaps to express themselves, Pillbugs roll up into a tight ball and Leopard Sea Slugs actually eject their sticky innards when disturbed. A fascinating example of 'suicide bomber' defense comes from a Bornean Carpenter Ant when pitted against a larger Weaver Ant. The smaller ant explodes. These ants have enlarged glands full of a very sticky and poisonous yellow glue. When they feel they are in danger they rupture their glands spraying glue all over the attacker which binds to the two ants in a death tableau.
Eating What?
25 Jul 2017 12:00 am
50
files
What's for lunch? You might be surprised at what animals dine upon. Elephants feed on soil to gain important minerals, Galapagos Ground Finches peck into the feathers of boobies and drink their blood, water-holding frogs eat their own skin! Other items on the menu include honeydew excreted from Leaf-footed bugs that ants crave, deer dining on their own antler velvet and Rhinoceroses eating their own dung! No all unusual menu items are safe - when unnatural ingredients are available like plastic bags that sea turtles mistake for jellies or potato chips that monkeys steal from tourists the animals' digestion suffers, sometimes fatally.
Feeding
25 Oct 2015 12:00 am
50
files
Fighting
25 Oct 2015 12:00 am
49
files
Flying
25 Oct 2015 12:00 am
50
files
Gifting
13 Dec 2017 12:00 am
30
files
What gifts do you anticipate this season? A feather, a fish or perhaps a dead bee? If you were a bird you would be thrilled with these presents. During courtship many species of birds exchange gifts of food or nesting material including pebbles and seaweed. Check out this gallery so see more examples of romantic avian offerings!
Grooming
25 Oct 2015 12:00 am
50
files
Hugging
9 Feb 2022 12:00 am
24
files
In humans a hug provides a bounty of benefits with the release of feel-good hormones - reduced blood pressure and anxiety along with increased empathy and immunity to name a few. Research suggests that in the animal kingdom an embrace has its utility as well. Improving social bonds, resolving conflicts and offering comfort to members of a family or pack. Regardless of the outcome, everyone needs a hug from time to time. Check out this gallery of embracing creatures for your boost of virtual oxytocin...
Hunting
25 Oct 2015 12:00 am
49
files
In a Rut
24 May 2023 12:00 am
31
files
The changing light and temperature of autumn along with increasing hormone levels trigger the breeding season for many animals including deer. In this gallery we feature white-tailed deer and elk. During rut animals become more aggressive, territorial, and vocal. They may also engage in a variety of behaviors to attract mates, such as displaying their physical strength in battle. In addition to sparring, bucks also engage in rubbing and scraping behaviors during the rut. These behaviors are used to mark territory, attract mates, and establish dominance.
Inflating
16 Nov 2021 12:00 am
55
files
Inflation is not always a bad thing especially if you are a creature trying to scare off predators, attract mates or protect your territory. Check out this gallery of puffed up animals including frigatebirds courting by expanding their bright red gular pouches, frogs advertising using their vocal sacs and porcupinefish expanding their whole spiky bodies to warn off predators. Did you know that walruses puff up two air pouches in their necks to stay buoyant while floating, male prairie chickens can be heard a mile away when using their sacs to boom and hooded seals expand a balloon-like sac from their nostril during courtship and territorial disputes?
Jumping
25 Oct 2015 12:00 am
49
files
Migrating
25 Oct 2015 12:00 am
49
files
Mimicking
4 Oct 2017 12:00 am
60
files
Copycats sometimes to finish ahead! In the wild some animals find it helpful to mimic their surroundings or other animals to survive. Check out these stunning examples - moths whose wing markings look like unappetizing flies, caterpillars that look like snake heads and spiders that look just like their ant prey - perfect for ambush! See if you can detect the moths pretending to be hornets and camouflaged frogs with pointy horns to mimic the points on leaves.
Nesting
25 Oct 2015 12:00 am
40
files
Springtime is the season for birds to begin building nests in anticipation for the eggs to come. Nests made of grasses and sticks are typical but have you seen a cormorant using seastars, blue tits collecting horsehair from a barbed wire fence or penguins on nests made completely of stones? From woodpeckers excavating nest holes in tree trunks to albatrosses constructing a platform out of sand - this gallery includes some unexpected nests.
Parenting
25 Oct 2015 12:00 am
47
files
Playing
25 Oct 2015 12:00 am
49
files
Pollinating
22 Oct 2015 12:00 am
50
files
Running
25 Oct 2015 12:00 am
50
files
Scratching
25 Oct 2015 12:00 am
50
files
A study published in the journal PLOS One delves in December of 2013 into the nature of itching. Scratching an itch triggers brain centers that focus on motivation, reward, pleasure and even addiction. Humans are not the only ones who enjoy the satisfying relief of scratching so take a look at this gallery of images featuring animals using sticks, trees and even their own horns to reach an aggravating spot.
Sea Lions Cooperatively Hunting
11 Jun 2021 12:00 am
30
files
Tui De Roy is the lead author in a paper published in the scientific journal Ecology & Evolution which is dedicated to a rare behavior she witnessed off Santiago Island in the Galapagos. From out at sea groups of Galapagos sea lion cooperatively herd schools of Amberstripe scad fish into shallow coves and then flush them on to the shore. By corralling then beaching the fish the pinnipeds can easily trap and feed on their prey. You see in this gallery that Pelicans benefit as well, opportunistically feeding on the confused and landlocked scad.
Sleeping
25 Oct 2015 12:00 am
50
files
Stretching
13 Jan 2016 12:00 am
49
files
Waking from a nap prompts jaguars and jackals alike to enjoy a nice stretch. Not only does a good 'downward dog' pose loosen up the spine but it gets the animals limber and ready for action. Take inspiration from these creatures and steal a moment to release muscle tension with a nice long stretch...
Thermoregulating
25 Oct 2015 12:00 am
49
files
Tool Using
25 Oct 2015 12:00 am
49
files
Scroll down to load more items...
