turtles

Strange marks on Hawaiian green sea turtles were thought to be graffiti. Scientists actually mark the turtles for tracking. This led to the Honu Count project, where people report sightings. This community effort provides vital data for turtle conservation. Hundreds of reports are now shaping research and strengthening protection for these marine animals.

World Turtle Day

Adventurous rock climbers in Italy's Umbria-Marche Apennines stumbled upon an extraordinary prehistoric discovery: fossilized tracks of ancient sea turtles fleeing an underwater earthquake. These remarkable grooves, preserved for eighty million years within the Scaglia Rossa Formation, were created as the turtles slid across the seabed, later buried by a massive sediment shift.

Skin bones, or osteoderms, have evolved independently multiple times across reptile lineages, a new study reveals. Researchers used fossil data and computational tools to trace 320 million years of evolution. Remarkably, goannas re-evolved these protective skin structures after losing them, challenging long-held evolutionary theories and highlighting nature's surprising adaptability.

At a Paris psychiatric hospital, therapy donkeys are aiding patients in managing mental health conditions as part of France's public healthcare. Patients engage in structured sessions, grooming and caring for the animals, which Nathalie, a patient, described as "animal medicine" bringing relief.

Summer mowing poses a significant threat to backyard wildlife, including rabbits, turtles, ground-nesting birds, toads, frogs, and snakes. These creatures often hide in tall grass, making them vulnerable to mower blades. Simple precautions like walking the yard beforehand, raising mower decks, and adjusting mowing times can protect these animals.

Researchers Find New Reptile Species

Homeowners are increasingly embracing Vastu Shastra decor, with crystal animal figurines like elephants, turtles, and owls believed to usher in positivity, stability, and wisdom. These statues, placed strategically, are thought to balance energies, attract good fortune, and enhance relationships, offering a blend of spiritual significance and aesthetic appeal to modern living spaces.

A tiny jellyfish, Turritopsis dohrnii, possesses an extraordinary ability to reverse its aging process, essentially becoming immortal. When faced with stress or injury, it reverts to its juvenile polyp stage, allowing for a complete life cycle reset. Scientists are intensely studying this unique phenomenon, hoping to unlock secrets that could revolutionize age-related disease treatments for humans.

Actress Kelly Curtis, elder sister of Jamie Lee Curtis, has passed away at 69. Jamie Lee Curtis shared the news emotionally, remembering Kelly as her first friend and confidante. Kelly, daughter of Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh, had a career in film and television, appearing in 'Trading Places' and 'The Devil's Daughter'. She is survived by her husband, Scott Morfee.