SCIENCE The indigenous peoples of northern Australia have long told tales about raptors intentionally starting fires in order to lure their prey into the open. Now, a scientific study has documented these “firehawks.” (International Business Times) It’s the Year of the Bird, and that apparently includes fire-starting raptors. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers Toolkit. Discussion Ideas A … Continue reading Is This Bird an Arsonist?
SCIENCE Assumptions about predator-prey relationships may be really wrong, new research suggests. (Cosmos) Learn more about the “Secret Life of Predators” with our resources. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers Toolkit. Discussion Ideas The Cosmos article describes a new study that upsets the “signal detection theory” used in most predator-prey research. What is signal detection theory? According to … Continue reading The Real Hunger Games: Prey Animals Weigh Their Options Before Fleeing Predators
SCIENCE Even sharks—infamous predator of the sea—risk becoming prey to the American alligator. (Newsweek) Use our activity to help students create an imaginary marine ecosystem—then throw an alligator in there. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers Toolkit. Discussion Ideas Why was it a surprise to find that American alligators are preying on sharks? They’re usually not in the … Continue reading Gator vs. Shark!
SCIENCE It’s Halloween year-round for some wildlife researchers, who don costumes to get closer to the animals they’re working to save. (National Geographic News) Use our resources to see panda researchers in their natural environment. Teachers, scroll all the way down for a short list of key resources in our “Teachers’ Toolkit.” Discussion Ideas Read the delightful Nat Geo News article about scientists who wear … Continue reading Some Scientists Dress Up All Year
ENVIRONMENT Big, fierce animals—lions and tigers and bears, for example—are relatively scarce in nature. That’s normal. But top predators are now so rare that many are in danger of disappearing. That’s creating ripple effects throughout the natural world that scientists are still trying to figure out. (NPR) Use our resources to better understand predators and their role in a region’s ecology. Discussion Ideas Scientists in … Continue reading Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh No!
