Paw Mane Fin
Axolotls are a fascinating creature that are crucial for multiple disciplines of scientific research. And scientists continue to learn more about them. However, in the wild, their numbers are crashing. I delved into the major threats to their survival and what is being done to save them and their natural habitat.
The latest finding of a nationwide Swedish study has parents (and children) breathing a little easier. It appears that exposure to dogs or a variety of animals during the first year of a baby's life reduces the risk of developing asthma later on.
Since Halloween is tonight, I decided to share the most popular pet costume trends and some incredible statistics. All veterinarians stress that you should only dress up pets that truly enjoy being in costume. And be prepared to remove it after you snap that cute photo.
A new study explains why cats can be picky eaters. They can detect more bitter flavors. And since veterinary medicines and enriched cat foods contain bitter-tasting ingredients, this research might help create new palatable formulas. I was surprised to learn that bitter receptors are found in other cells, not just the tongue.
Cassidy survived in a Canadian forest for nine weeks (without his hind feet), starving, and seriously infected before being rescued by Shelly Roche who runs TinyKittens (a non-profit cat sanctuary). To help Cassidy, two Canadian teens designed and created a 3D-printed wheelchair for him. And even more offers have rolled in to help this brave kitten.
The USFWS has determined (based on seven years of monitoring) that threats to the Sonoran desert tortoise "are not serious enough" to classify them as endangered or threatened for the next 10 years. But endangered species advocates and environmentalists are concerned. I delved into the deciding factors behind this decision and what is being done to protect them.
Stanford engineers and researchers in China have made a groundbreaking discovery: common mealworms can safely eat, digest, and excrete Styrofoam plastic. And that's not all, waxworms can biodegrade polyethylene. This has the potential to solve the world's global plastic pollution crisis.
This weekend marks the end of Sea Otter Awareness Week. In an effort to understand their plight, I delved into what scientists believe is killing them. Some of the numbers shocked me. And sea otters are crucial to countless species who rely on kelp forests (including us).
Any studies carried out on wild animals must be extremely challenging to design and execute. And over the years, studies are proving that animals are more highly evolved than we previously thought. Dr. Rachael Shaw is in the midst of a 3-year study on New Zealand's North Island robins.
I've heard media reports that "cats don't care about you" and similar things. And yet, when I perused the latest PLOS ONE study, the researchers didn't state this at all. I walk you through the latest study and point out what I believe is the intended message.