Latest news with #DiscoverWildlife
Time of India
02-06-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Frogs face life-threatening heat stress from global warming, scientists warn
Source: Wikipedia Scientists are sounding urgent warnings as rising temperatures cause frogs to overheat that is putting many species at serious risk. Frogs are highly sensitive to environmental changes and the increasing heat is making it difficult for them to survive. Their struggle is a clear sign of the broader impact of climate change on ecosystems worldwide. If temperatures continue to rise unchecked then we could see dramatic declines in frog populations which would disrupt food chains and harm biodiversity. Experts stress that reducing global warming is essential for not only to save frogs but to protect the health of our planet and all its inhabitants. Frogs are facing life risk due to increase of atmospheric heat According to Discover Wildlife, a recent study how rising global temperatures have affected amphibians so far and what could happen if temperature keeps increasing. The research revealed that more than 100 of the 5,203 amphibian species studied are already experiencing dangerous overheating events. Furthermore, if global temperatures rise by 4°C, at least 400 species will face extreme stress that will push them to their survival limits. This estimate takes into account access to shade and water by recognizing that habitat loss, drought and disease will make it increasingly difficult for amphibians to manage heat. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Best website creation site | Build your store in minutes Shopify Shop Now Undo As ectotherms, amphibians rely on external sources to regulate their body temperature for warming themselves by basking in the sun or cooling off through water, shade or cool underground spaces. If they cannot lower their body temperature, they may reach their critical thermal maximum which is the point at which their bodies stop functioning properly. Scientists warn heat threatens amphibians Scientists determined this threshold by observing when amphibians begin to have muscle twitching or lose the ability to right themselves when turned over, both of which prevent them from escaping lethal heat. Until now, heat tolerance has been measured in over 600 amphibian species. To expand on this, the scientists in the study developed statistical models to estimate heat tolerance for more than 5,000 species which is about 60% of all known amphibians that currently number just under 8, compared each species' heat tolerance with temperature data from the past decade and projected it against various future climate scenarios. They warn that local extinctions could occur because amphibians generally cannot move to new areas, and habitat loss or rising temperatures can make their current environments uninhabitable. Patrice Pottier, a postdoctoral researcher at The Australian National University and lead author of the study, explains that 'With ongoing deforestation, habitat disruption, and droughts, amphibians are losing their ability to withstand heat.' He adds that 'urgent efforts to protect, restore, and connect forests and wetlands are crucial to improve their survival chances.' Environmental consequences of frog decline due to heat Frogs help control insect populations, including pests and disease carriers. Declining frog numbers can lead to insect overpopulation, disrupting ecosystems. Frogs are a key food source for many predators like birds, snakes, and mammals. A drop in frog populations can cause food shortages and affect predator survival. Frogs are indicators of environmental health; their decline signals broader ecosystem problems. Their loss often reflects issues like water pollution, habitat destruction, and climate change. Disruption in frog populations can negatively affect ecosystem services such as clean water and soil fertility. Overall, harming frogs threatens the balance and health of entire ecosystems. Conservation strategies to help frogs beat the heat Habitat protection and restoration Preserving and restoring wetlands, forests, and shaded areas where frogs live helps provide them with cooler environments and access to water. Creating wildlife corridors Connecting fragmented habitats allows frogs to move to safer, cooler areas when their current homes become too hot. Captive breeding programs Breeding frogs in controlled environments helps maintain populations and can support reintroduction efforts in safer habitats. Monitoring and research Scientists track frog populations, health, and heat tolerance to better understand their needs and threats, guiding conservation efforts. Reducing pollution and disease Efforts to limit water pollution and combat diseases like chytrid fungus improve frogs' resilience against heat stress. Climate action Global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions aim to slow global warming and limit temperature rises, reducing heat stress on amphibians. Community education and engagement Raising awareness encourages local support for frog conservation and sustainable land use. Also read: Plants that act like animals: Discover the 10 bizarre species on Earth that move, feel and even 'cry'
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Photographer thrilled after trail camera shows elusive apex predator after years of waiting: 'It was such an explosion of joy'
After four years of working and waiting, wildlife photographer Vladimir Cech Jr. caught a rare glimpse of the critically endangered Sumatran tiger in Indonesia. Thrilled to see the fruits of his labors, which involved using trail cameras "triggered by animal movement," Cech described his reaction to BBC's Discover Wildlife in an early-May report. "It was such an explosion of joy," Cech said, "that the guys from rangers thought something had bitten my a** because of how quickly and unexpectedly I jumped into the air while looking at the display." The Sumatran tiger is one of the rarest big cats of all. The International Fund for Animal Welfare has estimated that there are only around 600 left in the wild, though their elusive nature makes an accurate count difficult. They are reportedly the only remaining tigers on Indonesia's Sunda Islands, as the Balinese and Javan tigers, sadly, have already become extinct. The Sumatran tiger's survival is threatened by habitat loss due to deforestation caused by land clearing for palm oil plantations, other agriculture, and logging, per Discover Wildlife. Tigers can also be subject to rampant poaching, sometimes because of the animal's role in traditional Asian medicine. As apex predators in their natural habitats, tigers play an essential role in the ecosystem. They're what's known as an "umbrella species," meaning their presence protects a myriad of other fauna. Tigers regulate the populations of the species they prey upon and limit the habitat destruction that overpopulation can cause. Additionally, with each hunt they succeed in, tigers aren't feeding themselves alone but also other species. As the Wild Cats Conservation Alliance notes, a tiger usually only eats "about 65-75% of the edible portions" of its kills. Cech's years-long photography project shows the critical role that trail cameras can play in conservation efforts. They're not just a great tool for researchers seeking to inform effective strategies to protect rare and elusive animals — they can also be a source of inspiration for the public. As Cech told Discover Wildlife, "These sharp, detailed and colourful pictures can help to raise awareness about this amazing subspecies of tiger and other animals that live in this area." Do you think America is in a housing crisis? Definitely Not sure No way Only in some cities Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists stunned as deep-sea camera captures elusive creature nearly 5,000 meters below the ocean's surface: 'The animal disappears from view'
An amazing creature that lives deep in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean was captured in time-lapse photographs, allowing scientists to learn more about the role it plays on the seafloor. They found the small endomyarian anemone is perhaps the most prevalent animal on the Porcupine Abyssal Plain — making up about half of megafaunal density — and studied its feeding and burrowing habits. It lives 4,850 meters below the surface, and its diet includes a much bigger polychaete, or marine worm. The beings also spent hours creating new burrows. "In each burrow move, the animal disappears from view by retreating into its burrow, then a small mound appears a short distance from the original burrow," the researchers wrote, as Discover Wildlife reported. "This mound grows and is broken along the crest before the animal emerges from the apex of the mound, tentacles first, and establishes itself in the new burrow with its disk flush with the sediment surface and tentacles extended," the study continued. The study was published in Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers. It followed 18 specimens over 20 months at eight-hour intervals and one individual over two weeks at 20-minute intervals. The RRS James Cook and RRS Discovery used towed-vehicle cameras to take 29,016 usable photos. One anemone reached 109 millimeters (4.3 inches), while the average oral disk diameter was 32 mm (1.3 in). They have 24 tentacles. The creatures not only feed on phytodetritus from the seabed but are also predators, which is contrary to previous thought. The researchers said Iosactis vagabunda, which they called "dominant" in the title of the paper, is not a suspension feeder or even an opportunistic omnivore but a "significant" predator. In one instance, a 22-mm anemone spent three-plus days on camera before it ate a 105-mm polychaete over 16 hours. It spent the next 56 hours fully extended above its burrow, stretching to that maximum length of 109 mm. The chaetae, or bristles, of the worm "were visible through the body wall of the anemone," per the study. The anemones observed spent 19 days in their burrows on average, and the scientists tracked one individual for nearly 10 days. In one sequence, it took 22 hours to move to a new burrow. After disappearing from view, it started building a mound from under the sediment nearly 10 hours later. It did that for almost five hours until breaking through, and it took eight more hours to emerge and establish itself. It spent six days there before moving again. Do you worry about air pollution in and around your home? Yes — always Yes — often Yes — sometimes No — never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. "This hemisessile lifestyle, with frequent burrow relocation, may be to allow more effective exploitation of resources and thus be linked to feeding behaviour," they wrote, noting the invertebrates' movement was unique among predatory anemones in the Porcupine Abyssal Plain, as others are immobile. The researchers said the anemones may be "critical" carbon cyclers, as their observations showed an impact two to 20 times greater than another study of sea anemones at the plain. This and similar discoveries, including seagrass' heavy metal sequestering potential, prove the value of scientific exploration of the ocean. Amid rising global temperatures, seawater is absorbing much of the atmosphere's excess heat, revealing the consequences of humans' burning of dirty energy sources — and what can be done to rebalance Earth's ecosystems. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Indian Express
08-05-2025
- Science
- Indian Express
Nature's most bizarre: This lizard can shoot toxic blood from its eyes to avoid being attacked and eaten by predators
When it comes to bizarre defense mechanisms in the animal kingdom, few creatures can match the North American horned lizard. These small reptiles, often called 'horny toads' due to their squat, flat shape and short snouts that give them an amphibian-like appearance, possess an arsenal of peculiar abilities that make them truly extraordinary. While the Komodo dragon might claim fame as the largest and most venomous lizard, the horned lizard proves that 'power isn't always about size,' according to Discover Wildlife. At just 9 centimeters in length, these diminutive creatures have evolved remarkable strategies to ward off predators many times their size. Nature's most unusual defense mechanism Their most spectacular defense is the ability to shoot blood from their eyes — a behaviour known scientifically as autohaemorrhaging. When threatened, these lizards can direct a stream of blood with remarkable precision 'to a distance of up to nine times their body length,' as reported by Discover Wildlife. Live Science elaborates on the mechanics: 'They do this by restricting the blood flow leaving their heads, which increases blood pressure and causes tiny blood vessels to burst around the eyes.' This blood isn't just for show. It contains toxic chemicals that make it particularly effective against certain predators. According to Live Science, 'While it doesn't appear to deter birds, the blood does affect canines like dogs (Canis familiaris), coyotes (Canis latrans) and foxes (Vulpes), which shake their heads to get rid of it. The lizards seem to recognise this and are more likely to use it on dogs than on other predators.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by WW 🪼 (@wildernesswildlifes) How is the blood laced with toxins? The toxicity of their blood appears to be derived from their unusual diet. These lizards primarily feed on venomous harvester ants, seemingly immune to the insects' venom. Live Science explains, 'Short-horned lizards aren't affected by the venom of the harvester ants they feed on because a chemical in their blood plasma neutralises it. They also produce large amounts of mucus to immobilise the insects, enabling the lizards to swallow them without getting hurt by the venom.' Other mechanisms for protection from predators Remarkably, the horned lizard doesn't rely solely on its blood-squirting ability for protection. Its defensive repertoire includes several other adaptations. Their mottled skin provides excellent camouflage, helping them blend into their surroundings and avoid detection. Their bodies are covered in sharp spines, including two prominent head spikes that can deter would-be predators. As Live Science describes, 'If a predator attempts to bite them, the feisty lizards bow their head, exposing the horns to the predator's mouth.' Perhaps most impressive is their ability to dramatically change their size when threatened. 'The lizards can also inflate themselves to twice their normal size when attacked,' notes Live Science. 'Not only does this make them look more intimidating, it can cause predators trying to swallow them to choke.' Around eight species of horned lizards are believed to possess this extraordinary blood-squirting ability, according to Live Science. While it may seem grotesque to human sensibilities, this defense mechanism represents one of nature's most ingenious adaptations, allowing these small reptiles to survive in environments filled with much larger predators.
