We’ve all been there. You’re at the beach, you’ve opened up a steaming hot bag of fish and chippies, and before you know it a hungry pack of seagulls is crowding around you watching with malicious intent. In this episode, Shannon asks the pertinent question: why is it only seagulls, and not other birds, that behave this […]
Springtails, somersaults, and sneaky seagulls Read More »
The cleaner wrasse has recently made waves by joining the exclusive club of animals that passed the mirror self-recognition (MSR) test. This humble fish—better known for playing Will Smith in Shark Tale—might actually be self-aware. But what does that really mean? Shannon dives into the world of the cleaner wrasse to uncover why it deserves
Democracy, mirrors, and cleaner wrasses Read More »
Nudibranch Superpowers This piece was originally developed in conjunction with the Nudibranch Night performance for the SALT festival in Port Lincoln. Nudibranchs can be found in every reach of Earth’s oceans, from the intertidal zones to the pressure-crushing depth of 2500m. In Port Lincoln, we find them under the jetty. Coming from the class
Nudibranch superpowers Read More »
Are webs part of a spider’s mind? Orb weavers and their webs Spiders are the masters of weaving silk. But spiderwebs haven’t only been catching spider food; they have also captured the attention of humans. All thanks to a question – Are spider webs part of the spider’s mind? This notion, rooted in cognitive
Are webs part of a spider’s mind? Read More »
In this episode, we delve into the extraordinary evolutionary adaptions of Monarch butterflies, which travel each year in their thousands to avoid harsh winters and cuddle together on a special tree. It’s a perilous journey, and one that transcends multiple generations. It’s pretty hardcore… But maybe not as hardcore as defecating on yourself. Yeah, you
Monarchs, heat, and vomit bubbles Read More »
If Walt Disney’s “Nemo” was true to fact, we’re not sure how many kids would be watching. Clownfish have a complex social hierarchy. At the top of the ladder is a dominant female, who is larger and more aggressive than the rest. Just below her is the second-in-charge male, with whom she mates. Below that,
Queens, clownfish and clicking plants Read More »
We are asking a big question this week: How the heck do migratory birds know where they are going? Tiny robins travel thousands of kilometres over open oceans (with no landmarks), being pushed completely off track, and returning to the same nest every. single. year. On our journey to the answer of how they navigate, we
Culture, migration and silly history Read More »
As climate change roars, an albatross returns home to find his lover in the wings of another. Albatrosses have the largest wingspan on modern Earth and the lowest divorce rates. Birds couple up for life, all 70 years of it, regularly practising long-distance to come home and rest their heads lovingly on the breast of
In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it’s easy to overlook the vibrant tapestry of life that unfolds right in our backyards. Yet, each bird that flits through the trees, sings from the rooftops, or wags its dances in the air carries with it a story—a tale of survival, evolution, adaptation, and the
Adelaide’s birds in the ‘burbs Read More »
Whether you are an ant, frog, or elephant, you are connected by the same problem. You need to find shelter and food for your young. Despite the common problem, animals have evolved a huge array of solutions, some give birth to live young and carry them in flesh pockets while feeding the hairless babies white
Wasps, wasps, and wasps Read More »
