Jenna: Why did the salamander cross the road? To get to the pond to breed, of course. The Department of Fish and Wildlife in Vermont has encouraged drivers to be extra careful when driving near a wetland area, as salamanders and frogs are literally crossing the roads to get to breeding habitats. If you are lucky to witness one of these small migrations, it has been noted that it is an excellent opportunity to see some of our more rare amphibious friends that stay in hiding for most of the year.
AJ: Here’s another good animal-watching opportunity. The African rainforest is usually shrouded in mystery, and the vast, dense landscape can be a daunting subject to study. This article by The Conversationalist shows how modern technology allows us to take a peek inside this mysterious place through camera traps! These cameras capture insane images of rare and funky animals such as the grey faced sengi.
Jenna: We sure do love to hear about unlikely animal friendships. In this video by ABC News we can see otters and an orangutan playing and keeping each other company. I’m honestly quite jealous of these otters; having an orangutan best friend sounds like a dream. Speaking of dreams, the video also by ABC News shows a panda reaching for the sky as he practices his climbing skills.
AJ: Ever looked at a mouse and wondered, “What are you thinking?” Well, so have these researchers from this article by ScienceDaily! They have found that mice display how they are feeling through their facial expressions. Next time I see a mouse, I’ll definitely be checking to see if it is smiling right back at me.
Jenna: Given that it is #FanimalRescueMonth, I wanted to highlight this article by The Dodo that shows the drastic increase in demand for fostering and adopting animals in one animal shelter in San Antonio, Texas. Even during these crazy times, this community has stepped up to find homes and fosters for hundreds of the animals at the City of San Antonio Animal Care Services shelter.
AJ: Do you have your own animal rescue story? Have a special rescue animal in your life? Join in on #FanimalRescueMonth. All you have to do is share a picture of your rescue animal and your story with the hashtags #BeAFanimal and #FanimalRescueMonth. The more shares and retweets of your post, the more likely you are to win prizes! Find more information about the celebration and contest by clicking here.
Jenna: We can’t wait to hear your stories! See you next week.
Here’s your animal news:
Breaking! The City Of Shenzhen Becomes China’s First To Ban The Dog and Cat Meat Trade In Major Crackdown from World Animal News
Shelter Almost Completely Empty During Pandemic from The Dodo
The facial expressions of mice: The face of a mouse reveals its emotions from ScienceDaily
Coronavirus good news: Animals roam freely around closed aquariums from USA Today
Giant Panda attempts to climb Video from ABC News
Video: Orangutans and otters play in Belgian zoo from ABC News
As pangolin trade heats up, Nigeria urged to do more to crack down from MongaBay
How zoos must change to keep great apes safe from coronavirus from The Conversation
Camera traps completed one of the most thorough surveys of African rainforest yet from The Conversation
House sparrows flocking back to British gardens, survey shows The Guardian
Tiger tests positive for coronavirus at Bronx Zoo, first known case in the world from National Geographic
Coronavirus: Exploiting nature ‘drives outbreaks of new diseases’ from BBC
10 years to save ‘world’s most threatened sea turtle’ from BBC
Why ‘Tiger King’ Is Not ‘Blackfish’ for Big Cats from The New York Times
Myth-Busting Study Says Cats Form Emotional Attachments to Their Owners Just Like Dogs and Babies from Good News Network
Experts urging motorists to watch for migrating salamanders from Alternative Press
This Diligent Dog Has Been Delivering Groceries, Meals, and Mail to Senior Neighbor in Quarantine from Good News Network
Government Councils Around the World Are Ditching Meat, Here’s Why from LiveKindly
9 Vegan Products You Can Still Find at Grocery Stores, Despite Bare Shelves from VegNews
Thank you to Julie Tanner for sending us articles.
Photo credit to Nick Fewings from Unsplash
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