ENVIRONMENT & CLIMATESloths are an underappreciated animal. Let's welcome the new year by appreciating mostly unknown species on our planet like the adorable sloth.
Until recently, Paleontologist Tyler Lyson started focusing his search on nodules of rock or concretions back in 2016. He found out that there are more fossils inside of rocks and not on the surface.
Poaching has become a greater threat than previously thought. The study surveyed 30,000 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians, and found out that the percentage of the illegally traded animals are 40-60% higher and will continue to rise unless stopped.
Fauna crisis in Australia could be the inevitable end of some indigenous species. More than 40 extinct species in the next 20 years is a very troubling thought.
Fossil of two mammal species unearthed from Beijing, China that was suggested as the oldest winged mammals. Lead researcher Dr. Zhe-Xi Luo found out that those specimens were from Jurassic period and gymnosperm plants were their main diet.
Remains of an unknown mammal were discovered by Russian scientists. Later on, the mammal was given the name, Baidabatyr, based on the structures of its tooth.
Mammal species of the Jurassic period has been found from the excavation site of Skye. Scientists found the evidence of milk teeth from 165 million years old Wareolestes rex fossil.
For years the accepted theory was that dinosaurs were cold blooded, much like modern reptiles today. However, a study then showed that they were neither cold blooded or warm blooded like animals today. However, a paleontologist revisited that study focusing on the metabolism and growth of the dinosaurs. The re-analysis then provided evidence that dinosaurs were actually warm blooded like many of today's modern animals.
An island nation, entirely secluded from the spread of traditional species found worldwide, Australia is home to a unique form of mammals known for their maternal instincts, classified as “marsupials”. The term may encompass many species, however, when the notable pouches of marsupials are often thought of, the species most easily recognized is the jumping species of kangaroos. But new research published this week in the journal PLOS ONE reveals that kangaroo species may not have always had that famous skip in their step.