Naked mole rats are unusual creatures – mostly hairless, partially blind, and able to communicate in their underground burrows using high-pitched chirps. But what has recently surprised researchers about the wrinkled rodents is the discovery that the sound of their chirps differs slightly from one colony to the next. In other words, naked mole rats speak in different dialects. Listen to hear about the importance of language to naked mole rat social groups, and learn how dialects help queen mole rats control their colonies.
Story Length: 3:42
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August 26, 2021
3:02
Humans are not the only species that laughs during play. Scientists have identified dozens of other animals, from gorillas to rats, that giggle, chuckle, and guffaw, and they are investigating the meaning of these behaviors. Listen to hear the sounds of animal laughter and find out what researchers hope to learn by studying it.
Read MoreDecember 23, 2020
1:50
An unusual baby possum was dropped off at an animal rehabilitation center in Texas. The tiny creature had no hair! Workers at the center started nursing the undernourished possum back to health, but the hairless critter had trouble keeping warm. When word of the animal’s plight got out, tiny sweaters and other clothing started pouring into the center. Listen to hear more about the stylish possum’s wardrobe and how she may one day help educate visitors about marsupials.
Read MoreJune 10, 2020
3:04
Scientists are stumped by a mystery involving rolling glacial moss. The green, fuzzy balls move slowly across the surface of glaciers and are known as “glacier mice” because they resemble rodents. What amazes scientists is how the unusual rolling plants manage to coordinate the speed and direction of their movement, similar to a herd of animals. Listen to hear more about scientific research on these mysterious moss balls and why one scientist thinks of a “Star Trek” episode when she sees them.
Read MoreMarch 25, 2020
2:11
A famous cat has died. C.C. the cat, sometimes known as Carbon Copy, was the world’s first cloned pet. Texas A&M University scientists cloned C.C. to investigate whether the process could be used by owners to keep their beloved pets alive. C.C. became a celebrity when a photo of her sitting in a lab beaker circulated around the world. Listen to hear the scientist who cloned C.C. explain the cloning process and learn why he does not recommend cloning your cat.
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