All about horses
Horses and their relatives, known collectively as equids, are beautiful, captivating mammals. They posess grace, speed, and endurance. How many whales were there before whaling?
The International Whaling Commission (IWC) recently widened its conservation role by voting to take a greater role in the protection of all cetaceans. The chemistry of animal life
Animals, like all lifeforms, are composed of and dependent upon the chemicals of life. To understand the chemistry of life, we need to first understand the basics of general chemistry. Find out more about the chemistry of animal life in this Zoology 101 topic. Animal cells, tissues, organs and organ systems
The buildling blocks of matter (elements and molecules) form the basis for increasingly complex substances that make up living organisms. A zoology primer
Zoology is the study of animals (Gr. zoon, animal + logos, to study). This sounds like a simple definition, but upon further clarification, the "study of animals" turns out to be a broad and complex subject matter. Eruption scars genes of Galapagos tortoises
One-hundred-thousand years ago, the Volcano Alcedo on the Galapagos island of Isabela erupted leaving a lasting mark on the genetic make-up of the local tortoise population. Whaling returns to Iceland
Iceland is now joining Japan and Norway in the killing of whales. After thirteen years of not hunting whales, Iceland has announced it will now resume whaling in the name of research. Snow leopard populations in sharp decline
A recent study by TRAFFIC, the World Wildlife Fund and the International Snow Leopard Trust revealed a sharp decline in the snow leopard population. Everyday is Earth Day
Each April, conservationists work overtime spreading the word about issues facing the environment, animals, and wildlife. Their efforts culminate on April 22nd, Earth Day. Find out how you can carry their efforts and message through the rest of the year. Indian authorities confiscate wool of rare antelope
The wool of the Tibetan antelope, also known as the chiru, is prized as a luxury textile and sold worldwide. But the endangered status of the antelope has outlawed the collecting of the wool. The working zoologist
Do you ever wonder how to employ your love of animals and wildlife? Here are some professions to consider. Defining zoology
Zoology is the study of animals; yet this definition implies a simplicity that does not exist; instead, zoology is a complex discipline, drawing upon a diverse body of scientific observation and theory. A festival of field guides
Field guides have always fascinated me. These compact texts--often light enough to slip unnoticed into a backpack or shoulder bag--hold photos, illustrations, maps, and data of encyclopedic proportion. Of dolphins and dinoflagellates
A clever technique that exploits glow-in-the-dark marine microorganisms now enables scientists to visualize how water flows over the surfaces of dolphins as they swim. The evolutionary lessons of marsupials
By 110 million years ago, mammals had diverged into two distinct groups: the placental mammals--a group that includes humans and most modern mammals--and the marsupial mammals--a group that includes koalas, kangaroos, wombats, and pouched mice. The wild side of animal senses
Radar, compasses, and infrared detectors are all man-made contraptions that enable humans to stretch beyond our natural senses. Snakes' skins adapated to deter water loss
Snakes, like all animals that live in arid climates, have evolved ways to conserve water and prevent dehydration. Now, scientists can explain how snakes' waterproof skins serve as effective moisture barriers. Animals on the edge
Across the globe, human development now fragments a once-continuous landscape into isolated patches of natural habitats. Roads, towns, fences, canals, reservoirs, agricultural development: these are all examples of human constructs that alter the pattern of the landscape. Mammalian temperature regulation
Does it surprise you that reindeer, who spend much time standing in snow, don't get cold feet? Likewise, dolphins, whose thin flippers glide constantly through cool water, seem to be just fine. Grim outlook for wading birds
The outlook for populations of wading birds is cause for concern, as scientists estimate that half of all wading bird species are in decline All about birds
All about birds | 