Trees are not silent and solitary organisms, but social and communicative beings that can interact with each other in remarkable ways. Through underground networks of fungi, trees can send and receive signals, share resources, and cooperate for their mutual benefit. These networks can connect many trees of different species and ages, creating a complex and […]
The Giant Groundsels of Mount Kilimanjaro
Giant Groundsels, scientifically known as Dendrosenecio kilimanjari, are remarkable prehistoric plants that inhabit the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. These majestic plants belong to the order Asterales, which also includes daisies and sunflowers, and are part of the family Asteraceae. The Giant Groundsels found on Mount Kilimanjaro are descendants of a common groundsel ancestor, […]
The Banana Plant is not a Tree
Banana plants, with their tall and majestic appearance, often deceive people into believing that they are trees. However, these tropical wonders are not woody plants at all. In fact, they belong to the family Musaceae, which is closely related to the ginger family or Zingiberaceae. The truth is that bananas are large herbaceous plants, exhibiting […]
The lesser mouse-deer (Tragulus kanchil)
The lesser mouse-deer (Tragulus kanchil), also known as the lesser Malay chevrotain or kanchil, is a small even-toed ungulate in the family Tragulidae. It holds the distinction of being one of the smallest hoofed mammals globally, measuring around 45 cm in length and weighing about 2 kg. Sporting a reddish-brown coat with white underparts and […]
The Unlikely Relationship Between Opossums and Snake Venom
Opossums are fascinating creatures that are well-known for their ability to resist the toxic effects of venom from venomous snakes, such as rattlesnakes and coral snakes. While opossums are not completely immune to snake venom, they do possess some unique biological mechanisms that make them more resistant to it than many other animals. One such […]
Meet the Pom Pom Crab
The Pom Pom Crab, also known as the Soft Coral Crab, is a species of small marine crab that belongs to the family Xanthidae. They are found in the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific region, particularly around the coral reefs. One of the most distinctive features of the Pom Pom Crab is the two sea […]
Anise Seeds: The Little Powerhouses with Big Benefits
Star anise have been used for centuries for their aromatic flavor and medicinal properties. Although star anise are often confused with seeds, they are, in fact, small fruits that come from the star anise plant, Illicium verum. This member of the Apiaceae family is native to the eastern Mediterranean region and Southwest Asia but is […]
Echium Wildpretii: The Tower of Jewels of Mount Teide
If you’ve ever visited the Canary Islands, you might have come across a strikingly beautiful plant with a tall, red inflorescence. This is Echium wildpretii, a species of flowering plant endemic to the islands that has become an icon of the subalpine zone of Mount Teide, Tenerife’s volcanic mountain. Echium wildpretii is part of the […]
Why dung beetles are more important than you think
Dung beetles are a group of insects that play a crucial role in many ecosystems around the world. These beetles have adapted to live in habitats ranging from tropical rainforests to arid deserts and can be found on every continent except Antarctica. Despite their small size, dung beetles are incredibly important for maintaining the health […]
Make a Wish Upon the Stars at Japan’s Hoshizuna-no-Hama Beach
Hoshizuna-no-Hama beach is a beautiful natural wonder located on Iriomote Island in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. The beach is known for its unique star-shaped sand, which is made up of the shells of tiny marine organisms called Foraminifera. These organisms have a star-like shape, which gives the sand its distinctive appearance (called Baclogypsina sphaerulata). The beach […]