Skip to main content

Animal Magnetism

In Focus

Our neighbors in the animal kingdom have always fascinated, confused, and inspired us. Through research and observation, we can better understand them and ourselves.

Anemones and their enemies

A team of researchers from Nicholas Bellono’s lab has discovered how the trigger system of jellyfish and sea anemones stinging works on a molecular level.

Read more about the mechanisms behind stingers

Butterflies

How do these seemingly fragile creatures survive so well?

What more can we learn about their evolutionary process?

Animal mimicry

How do some animals achieve abilities far beyond humans?

How can we copy and gain those abilities?

The evolution of evolution

Why do animals look and act like they do?

Did they look and act differently before?

E.O. Wilson

A modern-day Darwin

Trailblazing biologist and beloved mentor E. O. Wilson passed away in 2021. He was a leading expert on ants, insects, and biodiversity, pioneering the field of sociobiology, which sought to explain the evolutionary basis behind social behavior.

A modern-day Darwin

How did vertebrates go from the water to the land?

An illustration of salamander looking things
How did vertebrates go from the water to the land?

A new wrinkle in the wolf-to-dog evolution

A cute, black dog
A new wrinkle in the wolf-to-dog evolution

New paper suggests the Spinosaurus may have been aquatic

An illustration of a dinosaur
New paper suggests the Spinosaurus may have been aquatic

How flightless birds evolved

researchers standing around a skeleton of a bird
How flightless birds evolved

The evolution of the snake body plan

An illustration of a snake
The evolution of the snake body plan

Art’s long obsession

Why have so many artists taken inspiration from animals?

What can that teach us about history?

Creatures’ comforts

Are we responsible for protecting animals?

What kind of rights should animals have?