Wasps learn their A, Bee, C’s

If A is larger than B, and B is larger than C, which is larger out of A and C? This question tests a kind of logic called transitive inference. It allows you to figure out information you haven’t been told, based on relationships you do know. Only some animals, including humans, monkeys and fish, … Continue reading Wasps learn their A, Bee, C’s →

Meet the world’s newest old trees

A group of bald cypress (SIGH-press) trees in the United States have just been discovered to be among the oldest in the world. One of them is at least 2624 years old, making it the fifth-oldest living tree on the planet. Researchers measured this by taking a small core sample of the tree’s trunk, from … Continue reading Meet the world’s newest old trees →

Rare bear in the DMZ

For over sixty years, no-one has been allowed into the Korean Demilitarised Zone (DMZ), the border between North and South Korea. The Korean War left the 2.5 kilometre-wide area filled with landmines, but since then, nature has taken over. Thousands of species are estimated to live there, and we’ve just discovered that this includes bears. … Continue reading Rare bear in the DMZ →

Three-eyed snake found in the Northern Territory

If you think snakes normally look scary, you may want to turn away now, because this one has its eyes on you. In March, rangers in the Northern Territory found this three-eyed carpet python on the side of a highway, near Humpty Doo. The snake, nicknamed ‘Monty Python’, was quite young, and around 40 centimetres … Continue reading Three-eyed snake found in the Northern Territory →

Under the microscope: My job as a sheep poo analyst

On a farm half an hour from Temora, in the middle of New South Wales, is a lab. Every day before work, Tom Shuttleworth drives to town, collects the mail, and takes it back to be analysed under a microscope. However, this isn’t anything that you’d normally find in a parcel. Instead, Tom looks at … Continue reading Under the microscope: My job as a sheep poo analyst →