There’s always something new to discover about the fascinating world around us. In 2023, nearly 1,000 new species were discovered by scientists at London’s Natural History Museum and the California Academy of Sciences. With all the new technology available to us, we are constantly discovering new species, animal behaviors, and insights. Here are 8 amazing wildlife discoveries made recently that we bet you didn’t know about!
1. A New Treatment for Gorilla Arthritis Was Invented
Did you know that gorillas can get arthritis just like humans? Well, just this year scientists at the Budapest Zoo saw that a female gorilla Liesel was struggling to walk due to arthritis in her legs. A global team of stem cell experts was formed to research if the cartilage being broken down by arthritis can be restored. Using mesenchymal stem cells from a younger gorilla, they were able to treat Liesel’s arthritis. Perhaps this treatment will be available to humans in the future.
2. Wrens Teach Their Chicks to Sing While Still in Their Eggs
Wrens are a very small species of bird and are very light. But, despite their size, they have a loud and beautiful song. In a wildlife discovery, scientists in Australia have found a new fact, wrens teach their chicks to sing before they’ve hatched. The chicks will hatch and sing the same song that their mothers taught them from birth.
3. A Legless Lizard Was Discovered
A new species of legless lizard was found slithering along the slopes of Serra da Neve in Angola. The legless lizards resemble a snake. According to the Virginia Zoo, these lizards differ from snakes in that they have moveable eyelids and external ear openings. The lizards independently evolved to be limbless since they served no use to them.
4. New Species of Wasps Discovered
A team led by Penn State researchers identified 22 new species of gall wasps. The researchers named them after legendary thieves, mythology, and pop culture like Han Solo and Prometheus. These tiny wasps live in structures called galls that they steal from other wasps. This discovery nearly doubles the known number of species of wasps.
5. Pythons Can Swallow Even Bigger Prey Than Scientists Thought
Burmese pythons can swallow large prey whole. However, a new study found that in the Florida Everglades, many snakes have a larger gape than their models predicted. A snake’s gape is what scientists call their stretchy flexible jaw. Scientists observed these pythons swallow a 77-pound deer whole.
6. Animal Behavior During an Eclipse Observed
Remember the total eclipse in April of 2024? Scientists were particularly interested in how wildlife would respond to the event. Some animals treat an eclipse like it were night, while other animals like lions are unfazed. Hippos actually get nervous and squirrels go nuts and act totally bewildered.
7. New Species of Tarantula Discovered
Scientists discovered a new species of tarantula in Arizona this year. This new species calls the Chiricahua Mountains home and predominately lives in high-elevation forests. These forests are increasingly at risk because of climate change. So, this new tarantula may be in trouble as well.
8. Human Actions Cause Insect Color Change
New research shows that New Zealand’s native stoneflies have changed color in response to human-driven environmental changes. Insects usually change their colors to trick predators into thinking that they are poisonous. A study posted in the Journal of Science found that stoneflies are actually changing color due to the destruction of forests. This is the most clear-cut wildlife discovery that shows a reaction to human actions.
Learning about Our World
Wildlife always has us full of awe. While there is so much we know about animals, there is still so much to learn. These 8 incredible discoveries are just the beginning of all that is to come. What was your favorite wildlife discovery from this year?