Posts

Fade to Black: Melanism in Mammals

By Nature Kids / 14 July 2023

BY RICHARD SCHNEIDER

Black colouration, referred to as melanism, occurs in almost all mammals. This is no surprise when it comes to black bears and skunks. But there are also reports of black Richardson’s ground squirrels, red foxes, white-tailed deer, bobcats, and even snowshoe hares. And of course, wolves. The processes underlying these variations in colouration are quite interesting.

Read More

Deadly Fungus Adds to Bat Conservation Concerns

By Nature Kids / 11 April 2023

BY CORY OLSON

While bats have a remarkable ability to manage energy reserves, only a few can withstand the devastating impacts of white-nose syndrome (WNS), a disease caused by a fungus, Pseudogymnoascus destructans, that grows on bats during hibernation, which will lead to more frequent arousals during the winter, depletion of energy stores, and eventual starvation.

Read More