African wild dogs, also known as painted dogs, once roamed much of sub-Saharan Africa. Today, fewer than 6,000 adults survive across Africa. They occupy fragmented areas in countries such as Tanzania, Botswana, and Zimbabwe. Habitat destruction, disease, and conflict with humans threaten…
The reason zebras have stripes have stumped biologists since Darwin’s day. Early guesses included camouflage, cooling, and social signaling. But recent studies point to one function above all others — a defense system against biting flies. Not For Camouflage It’s obvious that…
Zebras may resemble horses, but they sound nothing alike. While horses are relatively quiet animals that rely more on body language, zebras are loud, vocal, and constantly communicating. Their calls are higher-pitched, more urgent, and far more frequent. The sounds they make…
De-extinction, or the process of bringing extinct species back to life, is no longer the stuff of science fiction. Thanks to advances in genetic science, the possibility of reviving extinct species is now possible. Below, we examine the de-extinction process and reveal…
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is a key measure of economic health. It tracks the total value of goods and services produced within a nation. GDP captures the scale of production, investment in infrastructure, and consumer spending habits. Because it is tracked using…
The Global Peace Index (GPI) is a measurement of how peaceful a country is across three primary areas: ongoing conflict, societal safety, and militarization. Analysts study crime levels, political stability, incarceration rates, and military spending to produce a numerical score. Lower scores…
If you’ve ever seen photos of climbers on glaciers or high ridges, you’ve probably noticed the rope. They’re often tied to each other, spaced out across the terrain. To many, this might look strange—even dangerous. So why do mountaineers tie themselves together?…
Why Do Spiders Have Venom? Venom is a biological weapon designed for hunting, defense, and survival. In spiders, its primary purpose is to help kill or paralyze prey. Spiders produce venom in specialized glands located in the spider’s cephalothorax, just behind the…
Chantal Mauduit was a French mountaineer who climbed many of the world’s highest peaks without supplemental oxygen. She was known for her bold solo ascents and her tragic death on Dhaulagiri in 1998. This article explores who she was, what made her…
Mount Kilimanjaro and the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu are two of the most famous hikes in the world. They comprise bucket list treks for many people. Here’s how they compare. Trip Overview Mount Kilimanjaro is located in Tanzania, East Africa. It…
Where is the Inca Trail Located? The Inca Trail is located in Peru, South America, in the Andes Mountains. How Long is the Trail? The classic Inca Trail is 26 miles (42 kilometers) long. The trek begins at a marker known as…
Gorillas and chimpanzees are two of our closest living relatives. But, they differ profoundly in size, behavior, and ecology. Common Ancestry Gorillas and chimpanzees both descended from an ancient African ape. This common ancestor lived around 8 to 10 million years ago….
Where is Snake Island? Ilha da Queimada Grande, better known as Snake Island, is part of Brazil. It is a rocky outcrop in the South Atlantic about 90 miles (145 km) off the coast of São Paulo. It is infamous for its…
Where Are the Caucasus Mountains? The Caucasus Mountains lie between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, spanning southeastern Europe and southwestern Asia. How Long Are the Caucasus Mountains? The Caucasus Mountains run about 750 miles (1,200 kilometers) from west to east….
No, Mount Kilimanjaro does not have a death zone. Kilimanjaro is 19,341 ft (5,895 m) tall, which is far below the 26,000 ft (8,000 m) threshold for the death zone. While the summit is classified as extreme altitude, it is not high…
There are about 3,900 recognized snake species in the world. They all have one thing in common when it comes to their diet. They live solely by eating meat. In other words, snakes are strict carnivores. Their unique biology enables them to…
