Music Keeps The Mind Sharp â Even If You're An Animal In A Zoo
Smithsonian's National Zoo let its mammalian maestros play some musical instruments; it's a sensory experience they'd never get in the wild.
LEARN MOREThese Percussive Cockatoos March To The Beat Of Their Own Drum
Palm cockatoos are the only animals besides humans to use self-made tools to drum.
These Percussive Cockatoos March To The Beat Of Their Own Drum
Laura Wolf / CC BY 2.0
July 5, 2017
The animal kingdom is full of great singers, but when it comes to drummers, it's a bit short-staffed.
Luckily, the sole percussionist in its ranks is still pretty impressive. The palm cockatoo is the only animal besides humans to drum with self-made tools.
The birds fashion sticks and pods into devices that they strike against hollow tree limbs.
And according to a new study, the beats are pretty unique. Eighteen cockatoos produced a total of 131 different drumming sequences.
It's probably used for mating. Male cockatoos did nearly 70 percent of their drumming when females were nearby.
But if you want to catch a live performance, you'll need good timing. Researchers observed the birds drumming only about once every four days.
2:55
Animal rescues see fewer adoptions, more surrenders due to inflation
Rising economic costs have made it difficult for pet owners to keep animals they adopted during the pandemic, and for rescues to pay for their care.
By Scripps NewsDid you know that moose shed their antlers?
Before they drop their antlers for the season, moose can experience up to a pound of antler growth per day.
By Demy Becker/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images2:24
Should Congress force the USDA to do more to protect dogs?
The ASPCA wants Congress to compel the Department of Agriculture to investigate and fine breeders more for violations.
By Scripps NewsTop Stories
0:45
Protests erupt following release of video of Tyre Nichols' beating
The protesters said they intend to remain peaceful, but they wanted to express their support for Nichols and their disgust for the police.
By Gerald Herbert / APMinnesota man builds impressive 30-foot-tall snowman in his yard
It's so big that his nose is a traffic cone!
By Scripps NewsTyre Nichols remembered as beautiful soul with creative eye
Tyre Nichols died after an encounter with police in Memphis after they pulled him over on Jan. 7.
By Nichols family / AP