Lights! Pheromones! Action! (Behind the Scenes with Fireflies)

Some days I just have to ask – do humans live in an insect world, or do insects live in a human world?  This may seem like a dumb question to anyone not familiar with my world, where both insects and humans leave a lot of room for improvement, but at least I don’t go

Pigeons vs City People

In the countryside where I live, people generally have a fleeting but positive view of birds.  We live our lives and they live theirs, or they would if the birdwatchers would ever leave them alone.  We live in our houses and they live in the trees and shrubs, so at least even the non-birdwatchers know

Ferret Legging – You Can Lose More than Your Dignity

If polo is called the sport of kings, then ferret legging should be called the sport of eunuchs.  Should be, but it’s not.  Eunuchs would only take the fun out of this manly sport, much as ferrets could take the manhood out of the man.  As a sport, ferret legging really does not have a

Beavers vs the Army Corps of Engineers

It probably comes as no surprise to anyone that North America was once ruled by giant beavers.  It should also come as no surprise then, given the state of things today, that there are many people who wish for their return.  These peaceful, bear-sized rodents reigned for quite a long time, from 1.4 million years

Have You Hugged a Cow Today?

It’s a truism in the dairy industry that not all cows are created equal.  If it’s not, it should be, especially now that cow hugging is here.  It seems that some cows are born to be great milkers, some are born to be not so great hamburgers, and others, apparently, are born to provide sustenance

It’s Not All Tea and Picnics for Black Bears

Because I am a scientist, I am often asked about things I know little about.  But as knowing little is generally enough for many people, I always attempt an answer.  For instance, I am often asked, “What color is a black bear?”  In this case I can say that black bears are not blue, green,

Animal Liars

Most people believe that animals are noble beasts, living their lives by their instincts, uncorrupted by the moral failings that plague humans.  Those are the people you should target as buyers for that swamp land in Florida.  It’s a good act, but don’t think they wouldn’t sell it to you if they weren’t so preoccupied

Exposed! The Secret Life of Dairy Cows

To me, a green, rolling field of contented looking dairy cows is about the most iconic image of rural America I can imagine, and one that makes me feel pretty darn content as well.  I’m guessing the dairy cows quite possibly know how well they have it too, because new studies reveal that cows are

Release the Beasts!

Caged animals are unhappy animals.  They don’t usually show it of course, because the last thing they want is anyone suspecting that they’re plotting an escape, or figuring out how to put their keepers behind bars.  Or on their dinner menus.  But whether it’s a boa constrictor in a home terrarium that looks at the

Hold the Apocalypse – Pass Me a Scientist Please

Well, the deed is done. I just hit the Amazon “Publish” button and released my first book into the world, to join with the other 2,700 books that are self-published every day. (That’s not a misprint.) Like those others, I know that its chances of survival are not on its side. Ordinarily I’d blame global