The manchineel tree (Hippomane mancinella), which may be seen on laid-back, tourist-friendly beaches, seems hell-bent on its vengeance against people. The Caribbean, the Bahamas, the Gulf of Mexico, some of northern South America, the Galápagos Islands, and even certain areas of Florida are home to this tree. The tree was given the Spanish moniker "arbol de la muerte," which … [Read more...] about It’s Really as Terrifying as it Sounds, The “Tree of Death”
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What Species Would Take Over the Earth If Humans Died Out?
What would happen to life if humans left the scene in a post-apocalyptic future? After all, humans are quite likely to go extinct long before the sun swells into a red giant and exterminates all life on Earth. Assuming that we do not eliminate all other life as we disappear (an improbable achievement given our special proclivity for causing extinction), history tells us that … [Read more...] about What Species Would Take Over the Earth If Humans Died Out?
Captive Gorillas Have Created A Special Call To Communicate With Human Zookeepers
Vocal learning is extremely rare in animals, but gorillas appear to have cracked it. “Snough!” That's apparently gorilla slang meaning "I say, old buddy, toss us a couple grapes, would you?" What's most surprising about this unusual vocalization is that it appears to have been developed by caged gorillas specifically for the purpose of communicating with human zookeepers, … [Read more...] about Captive Gorillas Have Created A Special Call To Communicate With Human Zookeepers
The Arctic is Warming Far Faster Than Previously Thought
What happens in the Arctic doesn’t stay in the Arctic. It's no secret that the Arctic is rising faster than the rest of the world, but new study suggests that the problem may have been overstated. According to a recent study, the Arctic has been rising at least four times faster than the world average, and maybe twice as fast as some prior projections. The new study was … [Read more...] about The Arctic is Warming Far Faster Than Previously Thought
Japan’s Cat Islands: Where Cats Outnumber Humans, Forcing The Majority of Them to Leave
Cats have taken over several of Japan's "Cat Islands" from humans. At least, that's how it appears. To offer you (two) examples, below are the most well-known ones (s). Japan is a country that appreciates charming "kawaii" items. What could be cuter than an island full with cats? The Japanese have coined the phrase Nekojima to describe these exceptional locales, which serve … [Read more...] about Japan’s Cat Islands: Where Cats Outnumber Humans, Forcing The Majority of Them to Leave