News From Around the Web 2/28/11-3/6/11
Eight Animals Thought to Predict the Weather
Forget that weather forecast app on your smartphone. Just take a look around, and based off of these animals’ behavior, you might be able to predict the next later winter/early spring storm.
Male Monkeys Shower in Their Own Urine
There have been a number of theories as to why male monkeys rub their urine into their fur, from regulating body temperature to communicating aggression. Based off of brain scans of female capuchin monkeys, scientists discovered that the male urine activated the parts of the females’ brains associated with smell and sexual behavior. Could the males’ urine be sending out sex signals? Read more about monkey urine here.
Eastern Cougar Confirmed to be Extinct
The Fish and Wildlife Service have recently closed the book on the Eastern Cougar, concluding that they are, in fact, extinct and should be removed from the endangered species list. They have been on the endangered species list since 1973. Learn more about this North American puma here and here.
