Robosquirrels Versus Rattlesnakes

ScienceDaily (Apr. 3, 2012) — Robot squirrels from the University of California, Davis, are going into rattlesnake country near San Jose, continuing a research project on the interaction between squirrels and rattlesnakes.

In the lab, robot squirrels have shown how squirrels signal to snakes with heat and tail flagging. Through field experiments, researchers from San Diego State University and UC Davis aim to learn more about rattlesnake behavior.

It's not the only use of robots to study animal behavior at UC Davis. Terry Ord, a former postdoctoral researcher now at Harvard University, used robot lizards to study display behavior by anole lizards in the jungles of Puerto Rico. Gail Patricelli, professor of evolution and ecology, has used a camera-equipped robot sage grouse hen to study the mating behavior of these prairie birds.

The collaboration is giving biologists new tools for their work -- and also helping engineers design new and better machines.

Read on:  http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120403140038.htm

Diving with wild crocodiles

By Anna-Louise TaylorReporter, BBC Nature News

As prehistoric predators, crocodiles have a fearsome man-eating reputation, but little is known of their behaviour underwater in the wild. Now scientists are risking their lives to study the reptiles in their natural habitat. But can it ever be safe to dive with a crocodile?

They have been around for more than 100 million years, but much crocodile behaviour remains a mystery, as they spend around 80% of their lives underwater.

Nile crocodiles can grow up to six metres long, live up to 100 years old, and weigh up to half a tonne. Fully-grown crocs have the strongest bite of any animal, and they are indiscriminate about what they eat - wildebeest, fish or humans.

The Nile croc is a protected species in Botswana under wildlife law, and the crocodile population is slowly growing as water levels rise and more habitat becomes available.

But, as the human population also increases, crocodile attacks are on the rise. Figures show 55% of croc attacks are fatal and it is hoped that, by understanding croc behaviour, lives may be saved.

So how can we find out more about wild crocs, when it is so dangerous to get into the water with them?

Zoologist Dr Adam Britton has been studying crocodiles for nearly 18 years, and headed to Botswana's Okavango Delta to run a week-long pilot research project investigating where they hide before attacking, and how they detect prey.

Read on:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/17032648

Looking for benefits in birdsong

Conservation charities and scientists are beginning a research project to find out whether birdsong has any impact on people's mental wellbeing.

Surrey University, in conjunction with the National Trust and Surrey Wildlife Trust, will look for effects on mood, creativity and behaviour.

Though many people say they enjoy birdsong and other natural sounds, there is a lack of academic evidence.

The project will involve laboratory and field research, and questionnaires.

Although there has been a lot of research on responses to nature in vision - for example, showing that hospital patients respond to treatment better if they see images of landscapes rather than urban walls - relatively little has been done on sound.

"There have been a studies showing for example that natural sounds can help people recover physiologically from stress," said Eleanor Ratcliffe, the psychologist from Surrey University in Guildford who will lead the project.


Read more here ...