A Formica ant suspends a drop of aphid honeydew between her mandibles (which bristle with 7 or more teeth), as she drinks it. 
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Petroglyphs from Bushmen of South Africa illustrating an early hunt with dogs. Picture used with permission from Pietermaritzberg: University of Natal Press.

Did humans and dogs become domesticated together?

There’s conjecture of how man and man’s best friend have influenced each other’s development


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Why do birds sitting on a power line all face the same direction?

Deadline is 1 July. We will publish the best answers on 12 July.

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Birds huddle under leaves when it rains

[Corel]  A ruffled grouse and her chick stay dry under tree leaves.Q: Where are all the birds when it rains? Barry S., Los Angeles, California

A: They huddle under the leaves of shrubs, vines, and trees. Grassland birds nest within thick grasses.

[Corel] A ruffled grouse and her chick stay dry under tree leaves.

Many places, though, provide no shelter. Consequently, birds have evolved rain-shedding feathers.

They stay relatively warm and dry under their feathers, says John Bianchi of the Audubon Society. "Still birds get wet. ...most birds don't seem to mind. If they can't find a place to hide, they'll simply stand in the rain. After the rain--and during--they fluff up their feathers to warm up and help themselves dry off."

After a dry spell, even with shrubs and trees galore, they sit sometimes out in the rain and take showers.

(Answered by April Holladay, science correspondent, December 19, 2001)

Further Surfing:

Audubon: birds and science, what's new

Peterson: bird identification

 

 

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