From birds repurposing antiavian architecture to jellyfish that can learn, here are dispatches from the animal kingdom that we went wild for in 2023.
Tyrannosaurus rex’s menacing grin may have been less toothy than previously thought. Artistic renderings commonly depict the ravenous reptile as lipless, constantly baring its pearly whites. But T. rex may actually have had a pout that kept rows of pointy teeth covered, similar to Komodo dragons, an analysis of the skulls and teeth of dinosaurs and modern reptile suggests (SN: 4/22/23, p. 6).
City life can be hostile for birds. Municipalities across the world have put up spikes to prevent birds from roosting — and pooping — on streetlights, buildings and other structures. But some Eurasian magpies (Pica pica) and carrion crows (Corvus corone) in parts of Europe found a way to stick it to humans. The birds rip up antibird spikes and build nests with them (SN: 9/9/23, p. 4). Magpies may even use the spikes as humans do, to ward off avian pests.
Pirates on the high seas would be proud of their landlubbing arachnid counterparts. A species of cannibalistic pirate spider in Costa Rica tricks prey into walking the plank, right into its clutches (SN: 10/7/23 & 10/21/23, p. 11). Gelanor siquirres casts a silk thread to intercept that of an unsuspecting orb weaver trying to build a web. When the eight-legged victim scuttles across its own silk thread to secure the other end, the orb weaver finds impending doom rather than harmless vegetation.
2023-12-20 08:00:00
Article from www.sciencenews.org
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