Flora & Fauna

Orangutans, polar bears make a splash as Europe swelters

Authorities warned that temperatures could top 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in some parts of the continent over the coming days, the effect of hot air moving northward from Africa.

Tortoise species new to India discovered in Arunachal jungle

Plants transmitting superbugs to humans?

Over 28,000 incidents of forest fire since January this year: Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar

Responding to a query, Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand suffered losses to the tune of Rs 80 lakh and Rs 55 lakh, respectively, due to incidents of forest fire.

Those black and white zebra stripes? They keep them cool

Scientists have found that zebras can manipulate their black stripes to control their body temperature. The latest research shows that it is the special way zebras sweat to cool down and the small scale convection currents created between the stripes which aid evaporation. They also found that zebras can erect their black stripes — further aiding heat loss.

This fish turns gloomy when separated from its true lover

Researchers in France found that tropical fish 'convict cichlid', known to be a loyal and monogamous partner, suffers from heartache when separated from its lover. Scientists believe that over the course of evolution, fish species such as the convict cichlid have developed loyal partnerships as a way to better protect their young, which are extremely vulnerable to predators.

Polar bears inspire novel heat insulating material

For polar bears, the insulation provided by their fat, skin, and fur is a matter of survival in the frigid Arctic. For engineers, polar bear hair is a dream template for synthetic materials that might lock in heat just as well as the natural version.

Scientists solve the mystery of the dragon with transparent teeth

The nature of these see-through teeth had been a mystery, until now. Scientists on Wednesday described what makes these teeth so clear, saying they are made of the same basic material as human teeth but that it has been dramatically reorganized.

US biologists probe deaths of 70 emaciated gray whales

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) declared the whale die-off an “unusual mortality event,” a designation that triggers greater scrutiny and allocation of more resources to determine the cause.

Light pollution may harm amphibians: Study

Exposure to light at night has the potential to make amphibians more susceptible to the effects of additional stressors, like road salt and parasites. The light at night on itself might not have too much negative effect, however, since wildlife rarely encounter just one stressor in their natural habitat, its combination with additional stressors may have negative impacts.

300 yaks starve to death in North Sikkim

The North Sikkim District Magistrate Raj Yadav confirmed the death of around 300 yaks due to starvation during heavy snow fall in Mukuthang and Yumthang regions since December 2018. While carcasses of around 250 yaks were found in Mukuthang region, 50 yak carcasses were found in Yumthang recently, Yadav said.

300 yaks starve to death in North Sikkim

Mysterious snakehead fish from Kerala found

1/8th of flora & fauna face extinction due to degradation of biodiversity

Nature is declining globally at rates unprecedented in human history and its impact will see extinction of one million of the eight million estimated number of animal and plant species, many of them within decades, unless their habitats are restored, said the UN-backed inter-governmental body in a report released in Paris on Monday.

Humans driving 1 million animal and plant species to extinction: Report

Retired judges write to govt, seeking rules to end practice of keeping hens in battery cages