For Burmese pythons, there’s no place like home—and now a new study shows the snakes can navigate from over 20 miles (36 kilometers) away to get there. At up to 18.8 feet (5.7 meters) long, Burmese pythons are among the world’s largest snakes, and they have become notorious in the past decade as one of...
Call it a new twist on catching some rays: One species of dung beetle uses sunlight to steer its balls of poop, a new study says. The dung beetle Scarabaeus lamarcki can roll poo balls in a straight line, which helps the insect move the precious ball away from the larger dung heap more quickly and bury...
By Neal Lineback and Mandy Lineback Gritzner, Geography in the NewsTM Navigational Chokepoints Egypt’s stability and security remain uncertain. Amid calls by opposition supporters for the president’s removal in early 2011, the country erupted into widespread demonstrations against the government and President Hosni Mubarak was removed. General elections brought Muslim Brotherhood candidate Mohamed Morsi into...
By Neal Lineback and Mandy Lineback Gritzner, Geography in the NewsTM Navigational Chokepoints Egypt’s stability and security remain uncertain. Amid calls by opposition supporters for the president’s removal in early 2011, the country erupted into widespread demonstrations against the government and President Hosni Mubarak was removed. General elections brought Muslim Brotherhood candidate Mohamed Morsi into...
The sweltering summer is loosening its grip and pretty soon we’ll be welcoming fall’s foliage. It’s an ideal time to take a hike, but whether you’re a hiking aficionado that ventures out for long distances, or a novice that wants to take a day trip, it’s important to prepare. National Geographic Weekend spoke with hiking...
By Ker Than Tropical leafcutter ants don’t need to stop and ask for directions—they have internal magnetic compasses that help them navigate. Now, scientists have figured out just how the insects get their “sixth sense,” which is also found in an increasing number of animals, including birds, bats, and rodents. (See “5 Amazing Animal Navigators.”)...
By Ker Than Tropical leafcutter ants don’t need to stop and ask for directions—they have internal magnetic compasses that help them navigate. Now, scientists have figured out just how the insects get their “sixth sense,” which is also found in an increasing number of animals, including birds, bats, and rodents. (See “5 Amazing Animal Navigators.”)...