Orangutans as Engineers

Photo by Adam van Casteren

A study published yesterday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), argues that Orangutans practice technical engineering that is quite complex when building their canopy nests for sleeping. Adam van Casteren and a group of seven other scientists looked at "the architecture of the nests to determine the degree of technical sophistication used in it's construction."

Orangutans build their nests some 60 feet above ground, constructing it very quickly and efficiently, often within ten minutes. The structures are not only sound and safe, but comfortable as well, with a mattress-like lining of live branches atop the thicker structural weave for the main structure. Not only are these nests comfortable, apparently, these great apes are fans of keeping things green, since they often only fracture the branches they use without breaking them. The nests remain green and alive in the trees, and can be used again later. Though, often the orangs only use a nest for one night and move on, it's nice to know they don't go around destroying the trees they build in.

If you don't already have your own subscription to PNAS, which is pricey, you can read a little bit more about this study for free over at The Huffington Post.  

On the entertainment front, don't forget to stop by The Ravens Crossing this week for some fantastic science fiction, fantasy adventuring. My Morgan & Holly story was published today as part of the website's Earth Day, Week 10 celebration. All of the stories by all of the authors this week are at least double the usual 1000 word flash fiction length. There are some big reveals, some new characters, and lots of cameo appearances by all the favorite characters from the entire series. I highly recommend you give all six stories a read this week! One will post each day through Saturday, as always. The site is absolutely free and appropriate for all ages. You might even consider building your very own coach nest and settling in to read the whole series. We've gotten lots of compliments from people of all ages, and in just ten short weeks, we've gathered quite a following of regular readers to whom we are very grateful. Don't miss out on the fun, and happy nest building!

Dolphins Stranding Around the Globe.

From Cape Cod to Brazil, strange and repeated incidents of beached dolphins are happening in frightening numbers. Yesterday, a fantastic group of quick thinking beach goers saved thirty dolphins. The whole thing was caught live on film. I stumbled onto this video on Youtube while looking up the latest information on Cape Cod. After watching in horror for the past month while hundreds of dolphins strand and die off the east coast, this video is uplifting and wonderful to watch!



Researchers are still trying to figure out why so many marine mammals are continuing to strand this year. I think it has to do with global warming, and the rise in temperatures of our oceans. This is causing currents to change, and I would venture to guess food supplies for these animals are either diminishing or changing location, taking the hunters into dangerously foreign territories. Granted this is just my opinion. I can find very little academic discussion published about this, yet. I continue to seek out the latest theories. To find out about The Cape Cod strandings check out The Huffington Post. And thanks to all you fantastic Rio beach goers who helped to save the dolphins. You people made my day!

The Puffin Dog

The Westminster Kennel Club is debuting six new breeds this week at their 2012 show. Among them, the Norwegian Lundehund, better known at The Puffin Dog. Having cared for them at the zoo, I have a soft spot for Puffins. For some strange reason, even though the breed is known for helping to hunt the birds, I have a soft spot for this little Puffin Dog, too.

The Puffin Dog's coolest features: They have six toes so they can walk and grip the rocky shorelines of their homes and they are double jointed, which helps them wiggle out of crevices and get into tight spots in the rocks. They also have a double coat for protection against the cold, so I won't be getting one, since I live in the Southern United States. These dogs are built for cold.

Check out the fantastic video I found over at The Huffington Post. "The Dog of the Gods," another Mexican breed I won't even try to pronounce or type, cracks me up!

Don't forget to stop by The Ravens Crossing for a chance to win a free Kindle.

Thanks to West Thornhill for sharing this information with me.