animal behavior

Raccoons are drawing fresh attention online for their remarkable dexterity, problem-solving skills and bold raids on human spaces. Clips showing the animals opening containers, scaling structures and outsmarting household defenses have sparked widespread commentary, with many viewers joking that raccoons are among nature's most chaotic and intelligent creatures.

A new wildlife documentary examining predator-prey dynamics is drawing a large audience. The film focuses on the 'fatal mistake' animals make when a place that should offer safety instead becomes a hunting ground, showing how instinctive choices about shelter and escape can turn deadly when predators anticipate them.

WFSB's First Alert Weather Extra features a segment on the flying squirrel, exploring how wildlife interacts with and responds to weather conditions. The segment highlights the animal's gliding abilities and behavior, tying it into the station's weather-focused coverage for its audience.

The Florida Department of Health in Marion County has issued a rabies advisory for the Sparr area. The advisory warns residents to avoid contact with wild or stray animals and to keep pets vaccinated. Residents are being urged to report any suspicious animal behavior and seek medical attention promptly if bitten or scratched.

A biologist spoke with Live Science about whether animals are capable of deception, using the playful image of squirrels twirling their mustaches to illustrate how easy it is to over-imagine animal intent. The discussion examines what counts as lying in animals, distinguishing intentional deception from behaviors that merely look misleading, and what current research in animal cognition and behavior suggests about the limits of that ability.

Fstoppers published a guide on keeping wildlife photography edits natural, addressing a common pitfall among photographers. The piece focuses on post-processing techniques that preserve authentic colors, textures and animal behavior rather than pushing edits to the point where images look artificial. It reflects an ongoing debate in the photography community about how much retouching is acceptable in nature and wildlife work.

The question of whether animals experience grief is back in public discussion. Observations of elephants mourning dead kin, dolphins carrying calves, and primates showing distress at loss have long fueled debate among scientists. Some researchers argue such behavior shows genuine mourning, while others caution it may reflect confusion or attachment without an understanding of death. Readers remain divided.

Researchers warn that feeding wildlife, whether deliberate baiting or accidental sources such as unsecured food, increases conflict between people and animals and can spread disease. A study quantified how variation in black bear bait availability within animals' home ranges changed their behavior and population patterns, adding to evidence that human food sources reshape wildlife movement and raise safety risks.

Park rangers are reminding visitors to remain on designated trails and avoid feeding wild animals. Feeding wildlife can make animals dependent on humans, alter their natural behavior, and lead to dangerous encounters, while straying off trails damages fragile habitats and disturbs nesting or grazing species. Rangers stress that simple visitor habits protect both people and animals in parks and natural areas.

A wildlife documentary titled 'Wild Savanna: Great Animal Survival Battles' is drawing significant attention, focusing on predator and prey struggles in African savanna ecosystems. The production showcases dramatic animal survival encounters, and audiences are engaging heavily with its depictions of natural wildlife behavior, making it one of the most popular nature content items at the moment.

New research reported via EurekAlert! finds that global environmental change is affecting the behavior of the ocellated lizard, a reptile native to the western Mediterranean. The study adds to growing evidence that climate and habitat shifts are prompting animals to change how they live, not just where they live. Details of the findings and their long-term implications for the species remain limited.

The Queen Anne's County Department of Health has announced a positive rabies case in Stevensville, Maryland. The alert warns local residents to be cautious around unfamiliar or stray animals and to report any suspicious animal behavior or potential exposures. Health officials typically advise anyone who may have had contact with a rabid animal to seek medical attention promptly, as rabies is fatal once symptoms develop.

The Hoosic River Watershed Association, known as HooRWA, is exploring how wildlife across the Hoosic River watershed in northwestern Massachusetts and nearby states get ready for the cold season. The piece highlights seasonal behaviors of local animals as winter approaches, part of the group's ongoing public education about the river ecosystem and the creatures that depend on it.

New research reported by Science News suggests seabirds can experience a jet lag-like disruption to their internal clocks, and the effect may cause them to stray slightly off course during their movements. The finding highlights how circadian rhythm disruption affects wild animals as well as humans, prompting discussion about navigation and migration behavior in birds.

The Monadnock Ledger-Transcript examines the unsettling noises heard in New Hampshire's forests, explaining which local wildlife produces the screams, screeches and howls that often alarm residents. Common culprits include fisher cats, barred owls, foxes and coyotes, whose vocalizations can sound disturbingly human. The piece reassures readers that the frightening sounds are normal animal behavior.

Vermont Fish and Wildlife reports that acorn crops are uneven across the state this year, while beechnut production has been poor. Variable nut yields can affect food availability for wildlife such as bears, deer, squirrels and turkeys heading into winter, prompting the department to alert hunters, naturalists and residents about what animals may be foraging this season.

Rockstar Games reportedly produced roughly 600,000 animations for non-playable characters in Grand Theft Auto VI, an unprecedented figure that points to the studio's effort to make crowds in Leonida feel lifelike and varied. The number, highlighted by gaming outlets, has fueled discussion about the scale of the development and how much more detailed NPC behavior will be compared with GTA V.

A woman reached over the side of a boat to pet a great white shark and came close to losing her arm in the process. The close call is drawing attention online, with many questioning why anyone would attempt to touch one of the ocean's most dangerous predators. The incident has become a talking point about risky behavior around wildlife.

Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, has recorded its 11th positive rabies case, prompting local health officials to renew calls for residents to keep their pets vaccinated. Officials stress that rabies is fatal once symptoms appear, and vaccinations are the most effective protection for animals and people. Residents are being urged to avoid contact with wild animals and report unusual behavior.