The double-fanged adolescence of saber-toothed cats
How did North America's saber-toothed cats hunt without breaking their unwieldy saber-like canines, which are vulnerable to sideways bending stresses? A paleontologist provides mechanical evidence that during adolescence, when young cats were learning to hunt, their baby teeth remained in place Read more
Dog attacks on mountain tapirs highlight a growing threat to endangered wildlife
Researchers who captured footage of dog attacks on endangered mountain tapirs in Colombia are calling for action to protect threatened wildlife. Read more
Canada lynx historic range in US likely wider than previously thought
A broader past could mean a brighter future for Canada lynx in the U.S., according to recent research. The study indicates that lynx might do well in the future in parts of Utah, central Idaho and the Yellowstone National Park region, even considering climate change and the lack of lynx in those are Read more
Meow or rooaaar: Exotic cats' ability to recognize familiar caregivers' voices
Biologists present compelling evidence that exotic cats possess the remarkable ability to discriminate between familiar and unfamiliar human voices. Read more
A tiny tattoo for a tabby
Researchers have developed an alternative labeling method called 'bio-tagging', which is a microneedle array system that can safely deliver ink in the form of unique number or letter sequences for the identification of animals, which can be used for pets or livestock. This method may be us Read more
Strong connections found between vaccine hesitancy and support for vaccinating pets
Study findings raise the stakes for public health efforts to improve attitudes about vaccination rates across the board. Read more
Scientist discovers potential brain link between stress, emotional eating
Scientists describe how they identified a molecule that may trigger over-consumption of comfort foods after a threatening event. Read more
More than meows: How bacteria help cats communicate
Many mammals, from domestic cats and dogs to giant pandas, use scent to communicate with each other. A new study shows how domestic cats send signals to each other using odors derived from families of bacteria living in their anal glands. Read more
Infection with common cat-borne parasite associated with frailty in older adults
A new study of 601 older adults found that those with higher serointensity -- or a higher concentration of antibiodies -- to the cat-borne parasite Toxoplasma gondii are more likely to show signs of frailty, including exhaustion, loss of muscle mass and other indications of declining health. T. Gond Read more
City and highway lights threaten mountain lion habitats
Artificial light pollution at night threatens mountain lion habitat, making it a factor to consider for wildlife crossings and land use, finds a new study. Read more
New secrets about cat evolution revealed
By comparing genomes of several cat species, the project has helped researchers understand why cat genomes tend to have fewer complex genetic variations (such as rearrangements of DNA segments) than other mammal groups, like primates. It also revealed new insights into which parts of cat DNA are mos Read more
What happens when cats get fat? Scientists weigh in
Cat owners want Kitty to be happy, but providing an abundance of food and snacks can have unintended consequences. Feline obesity is on the rise, impacting the health, longevity, and wellbeing of cats. A new study looks at what happens in the digestive system and gut microbiota when cats eat too muc Read more
Cat-ching criminals with DNA from pet hairs
Cat hair could be the purr-fect way to catch criminals, according to researchers. Read more
New mollusk and crustacean species in symbiosis with worms in dead coral rocks
The symbiotic communities of invertebrates in dead coral gravel on the shallow, warm-temperate coast of the Kii Peninsula in western Japan. New bivalve species and sideswimmer have been found to live communally with the greenish Bonellia spoonworm. Live-in symbionts share the burrows of other organi Read more
New discovery may 'unlock' the future of infectious disease and cancer treatment
Researchers have identified a 'guard mechanism' for a protein which attacks microbes in infected cells, opening the possibility of new treatments for Toxoplasma, Chlamydia, Tuberculosis and even cancer. Read more
Fear of humans pervades the South African savanna
Mammals living in South Africa's Greater Kruger National Park, home to one of the world's largest remaining lion populations, are far more afraid of hearing human voices than lion vocalizations or hunting sounds such as dogs barking or gunshots. Read more
Adoption of vegan dog and cat diets could have environmental benefits
A new analysis estimates a variety of potential benefits for environmental sustainability -- for instance, reduced freshwater consumption and greenhouse gas emissions -- that could result from switching all pet dogs and cats in the US or around the world to nutritionally sound, vegan diets. Read more