When evolution goes haywire: 5 examples of maladaptation in the animal kingdom
Many people perceive evolution as a process that continually creates improvement, making animals ever bigger, faster and stronger. However this is not always the case. During sexual reproduction random genetic mutations can occur—some of these mutations cause changes that adapt the animal for optimal survival in its environment. Some changes may be neutral, but some … Continued
'Wise' elk freed from ice by father-son team in Sweden
One lucky elk, or moose as they’re also known, in the northern Swedish town of Skansnäs owes big thanks to an unlucky pair of local hunters. Klass Persson and his son David spotted the distressed animal trapped in a frozen river and immediately jumped into action. Alerted by their dog’s alarmed barks, Persson told local newspaper Västerbottens-Kuriren … Continued
Killing endangered creatures by mistake is WAY more common than you'd like to believe
It made European headlines when a pair of hunters mistakenly entered the confines of Norway’s Polar Park Zoo and shot two elk, but sadly, people accidentally kill wild and often endangered animals quite a bit. Last week two Norwegian hunters called up officials at the northernmost zoo in the world with some seriously bad news. … Continued