One of the four ways that animals communicate is through chemical communication. They do this by using pheromones. A pheromone is a chemical secreted by an animal to trigger a specific reaction from other animals. Invertebrates most commonly use pheromones; however, most animals produce them. Birds are the only animals where pheromones are not used. …

My dog was barking at my cat earlier today, and although the cat was responding with his best impression, it was clear they weren’t speaking the same language. However, the dog knew that the cat was not in the mood to play, so this got me wondering how animals communicate other than just using sound. …

I was watching my dog and cat the other way and noticed that the way they interact is much different than how I interact with other people. Animals, unlike us, do not have hands, so how do they communicate using tactile means to announce their intentions to other animals? Animals use tactile functions to communicate …

Raccoons are charismatic animal species found in North America. You may not have realized you have heard them, but raccoons can make many different noises. Research shows that raccoons make more than 200 sounds, and each sound indicates a different function or activity. Raccoons make various vocal sounds, including a rasping scream, a harsh snarl or …

Being a prey animal means having to navigate the environment in a constant state of alertness. Prey animals must always be on the lookout for danger. Many animals have adapted unique ways of either hiding, escaping from, or intimidating their predators to avoid predators. Animals will use camouflage to hide not only from predators but …

When we feel tired, we take a nap, have some food or drink a caffeinated drink, but how do animals get their energy? They can’t just grab a coffee when they feel tired, so what do they do? Herbivores will get their energy from the nutrients of the plants they eat. Carnivores will get some …

From physical and emotional support to transport, farming, and scientific study, animals help humans in many diverse ways. Animals can help people deal with vision and hearing loss, loss of limbs, as well as illnesses such as diabetes and autism. Animals are a large part of the food industry, with almost all of the animals …

Stories of ocean animals washing up with their stomachs full of plastic are becoming increasingly common with each passing year. It may seem strange that an animal will swallow a plastic bag or a straw, so what makes them do it? Animals eat plastic because it looks similar to their usual prey. As algae grows …

Animals need certain things to survive. Living in the wild is often hard, and animals require things such as a place to live, food, and water to stay healthy and to raise their young. There are four main necessities for animals: Food Water Shelter Space Within these parameters, animals also need to maintain their body …

Reproduction is a normal part of life, but why do animals reproduce, and why have some species evolved different methods of reproduction? Reproduction ensures the continuation of the species. Animals will only reproduce with the fittest of the species and choose not to mate with animals with the disease or in periods of drought or …

Most animals have tails, and it is often something we accept, but why do some have tails, and why do some animals not have tails? Are they simply a crossover due to evolution, or do animals need their tails? Animals have adapted to use their tails for movement, hunting, defense, communication, and aid balance. Every …

Most animals have evolved and adapted over time to survive in harsh environments, and one of the main reasons for adaptation is to conserve energy, especially for prey species. A tired animal is much more likely to be preyed upon than an active, alert animal. The main reasons for movement are: Finding food Searching for …