Animals

April 27, 2025

New ‘Little Beasts’ Exhibition Explores the Intersections of Natural History and Art

Back in Europe during the 16th and 17th centuries, animals conjured a remarkable sense of wonder. It was an era of unprecedented exploration, where scientific technology, trade, and colonial expansion led to the study of previously unknown or overlooked species. Integral to cataloging these beestjes, or “little beasts,” were artists. An upcoming exhibition at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.

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April 22, 2025

Study Finds That Dogs Can Tell if Someone Is Untrustworthy

Fool a dog once, shame on you. Fool them twice? A study says you may not get away with that. Scientists from Kyoto University found that dogs can determine if you're trustworthy based on your actions, and even act according to that. More so, they may only follow commands from people that they believe in. The study, published in the journal Animal Cognition in 2015, was led by researcher Akiko Takaoka.

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April 18, 2025

Study Finds Crows Understand Basic Geometry, a Skill Thought to Be Unique to Humans Up Until Now

Alongside creatures like chimpanzees, dolphins, and dogs, crows are widely considered to be one of the world’s smartest animals. In fact, past research has proven that these birds can distinguish between human faces and voices, vocally count up to four, create and use tools, and even grasp the concept of water displacement better than an average 5- to 7-year-old child.

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April 16, 2025

Watch How Zoo Elephants Protect Their Herd During a Recent Earthquake in Southern California

Earthquakes are frightening experiences for anyone, but for elephants, who “hear” with their feet, they can be particularly terrifying. A video from the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido shows how their elephants came together when a 5.2-magnitude earthquake shook Southern California on Monday, April 14. The video, published by the San Diego Wildlife Alliance, shows the elephants coming together in an “alert circle” as the camera shakes.

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My Modern Met

Celebrating creativity and promoting a positive culture by spotlighting the best sides of humanity—from the lighthearted and fun to the thought-provoking and enlightening.