DARK SECRETS: 20 - The Real Truth

Crocodile head found in luggage at Italian airport

Man, who had arrived in Turin from Miami via Istanbul, under investigation for smuggling and faces fine or prison

The Guardian - UK · Sep 8

In Cumbria, freshwater pearl mussels in the River Kent can filter up to 50 litres of water each day; their filtration can help improve river water for fish, eels and otters

In a groundbreaking initiative, a conservation project in the UK seeks to rehabilitate the endangered freshwater pearl mussels along the River Kent. Renowned for their ability to filter vast quantities of water, these mussels support both aquatic ecosystems and biodiversity. Recent studies illustrate their role in essential services like water…

The Economic Times · Sep 8

26 Wild Frog Photos Shared By The ‘Herping The Globe’ Community

Frogs might be small, but when it comes to colors, patterns, and unusual appearances, they can be pretty hard to beat. Some look like tiny jewels, others are almost transparent, and a few are so strangely patterned that they hardly seem real.

Bored Panda · Sep 8

6 Mosquito Breeding Spots Inside Indian Homes That Spike Dengue Cases During Monsoon

The Desert Cooler TrayThe desert cooler is the single most productive mosquito breeding site in north Indian homes between June and September. The water tray sits undisturbed for days, sometimes weeks, at exactly the temperature Aedes aegypti prefers for laying eggs. A 2019 entomological survey published in the Journal of…

Times Life · Sep 8

In 2011, Swedish and Danish researchers fenced muskoxen out of test areas in Greenland. 3 years later, plants there absorbed only half as much carbon in summer

Muskoxen, ancient Arctic survivors, maintain healthy grasslands which store vital carbon. These large herbivores face threats from climate change and increased predation. Historically, overhunting pushed muskoxen populations toward extinction in many regions. International efforts have aided recovery, but enforcement remains a serious concern.

The Economic Times · Sep 7

Science says flamingos don’t start out pink: Here’s how their food changes the color of their feathers

Canthaxanthin is one of the major carotenoids associated with flamingo coloration. Astaxanthin and other carotenoid derivatives can also contribute to their red, pink and orange hues.

The Economic Times · Sep 7

Why do shrews lose brain size in winter but grow bigger noses? Scientists uncover a bizarre seasonal adaptation in tiny mammals

Long-clawed shrews exhibit unusual winter adaptations, shrinking their brains and skulls. However, their snouts grow noticeably larger during the coldest months. This expansion may help warm inhaled air or enhance their sense of smell. Researchers are exploring the environmental triggers for this seasonal nasal growth. These findings reveal a more…

The Economic Times · Sep 7

An Australian woman bought cleared sugarcane land and planted trees; 10 years later, 119,000 trees transformed it into a rainforest home to flying-foxes

Annie Schoenberger bought cleared land near Wonga Beach in Queensland with a simple goal: bring rainforest back to a former sugarcane property. Over the following decade, her NightWings Rainforest Centre became the focus of a major restoration effort, supported by Rainforest Rescue, volunteers and local supporters. More than 119,000 native…

The Times of India · Sep 7

Argentina planted eucalyptus across grassland; scientists found the trees were pulling groundwater down by more than half a metre

A stand of eucalyptus trees planted in Argentina’s vast ‘Pampas grasslands’ was found to be reshaping the water beneath its roots. A study titled ‘ Hydrological consequences of Eucalyptus afforestation in the Argentine Pampas ’ examined how a 40-hectare plantation of ‘Eucalyptus camaldulensis’ affected local groundwater compared with the surrounding…

The Times of India · Sep 7

Tour guides make remarkable discovery about Great Barrier Reef whales: ‘Not even scientists knew what it meant’

Discovery helps strengthen laws for how people interact with whales in the area

The Independent UK · Sep 7