Evolution in Action

[VanReal]

I couldn't wrap my head around the wild strawberry information posted earlier in the week, so this one was interesting.  These lizards have actually evolved over the last 30 years and scientists have been able to see it happening.  Pretty neat:

http://www.science.psu.edu/alert/Langkilde1-2009.htm

[Recusant]

Thank you for posting this link.

  Run, lizard, run!  
 
 (I don't really have an apposite comment to make, and apparently no one else did, either, but I agree that it's an interesting example of observable change occurring in a species.  I also appreciated the 'no lizards were harmed' part, which is a refreshing change from the ethics of early researchers in animal behavior.   I'm sure that it's still all too common to be quite willing to hurt animals in the name of science; I suppose sometimes it's even necessary.)

[crocofish]

I keep wondering whether squirrels will evolve to avoid being hit by cars.

[Whitney]

I keep wondering whether squirrels will evolve to avoid being hit by cars.

I've seen a couple look both ways before crossing.  

[Kylyssa]

I keep wondering whether squirrels will evolve to avoid being hit by cars.

Wow!  I just wrote an editorial about this very thing!  I'll link to it once it's published.

[Kylyssa]

Cool, they just put it up today.  It's just my musings about the human impact on evolution and the environment, nothing scientific in nature.

Casual Observations of the 900 Lb Gorilla in the Room

[Loffler]

I keep wondering whether squirrels will evolve to avoid being hit by cars.

I live across the (busy) street from a park full of squirrels. Now that I think about it, in 5 years I've never seen a dead squirrel on that street, though I've seen several deep in the park.

[VanReal]

I keep wondering whether squirrels will evolve to avoid being hit by cars.

I live across the (busy) street from a park full of squirrels. Now that I think about it, in 5 years I've never seen a dead squirrel on that street, though I've seen several deep in the park.

I rarely see one either and it amazes me with the number of them that run out in front of me and somehow make it to the other side.  I don't know what I'd do if I hit one, they are cute little critters and I think about them in my backyard on the squirrel bungees and wish they'd go play when they play chicken with me in the street.

[Loffler]

Crows in Japan were observed placing nuts under car wheels when stopped at red lights. Then the car would drive over the nut, crushing it for them.

[Ihateyoumike]

Crows in Japan were observed placing nuts under car wheels when stopped at red lights. Then the car would drive over the nut, crushing it for them.

Is this for real? I certainly wouldn't doubt it because crows (and birds in general) are extremely smart and adapt well.
If you have a link to this story, I'd be really interested to check it out.

[Loffler]

Crows in Japan were observed placing nuts under car wheels when stopped at red lights. Then the car would drive over the nut, crushing it for them.

Is this for real? I certainly wouldn't doubt it because crows (and birds in general) are extremely smart and adapt well.
If you have a link to this story, I'd be really interested to check it out.

Even better: here's the footage.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid ... 5885554944

Not only do they drop the nuts onto busy roads (not "under car wheels" as I stated), but they even station themselves by crosswalks and wait for the light to stop traffic!

[McQ]

Crows in Japan were observed placing nuts under car wheels when stopped at red lights. Then the car would drive over the nut, crushing it for them.

Is this for real? I certainly wouldn't doubt it because crows (and birds in general) are extremely smart and adapt well.
If you have a link to this story, I'd be really interested to check it out.

Even better: here's the footage.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid ... 5885554944

Not only do they drop the nuts onto busy roads (not "under car wheels" as I stated), but they even station themselves by crosswalks and wait for the light to stop traffic!

Now, that is just damn cool!

[Ihateyoumike]

Now, that is just damn cool!

Just watched the video. That is simply incredible. Animals never cease to amaze me.
Loffler, do you know what program that clip was from? I didn't expect it to be narrated by David Attenborough, but he does tend to be involved with all of the best nature documentaries.

[Loffler]

Now, that is just damn cool!

Just watched the video. That is simply incredible. Animals never cease to amaze me.
Loffler, do you know what program that clip was from? I didn't expect it to be narrated by David Attenborough, but he does tend to be involved with all of the best nature documentaries.

Not a clue.