Black Opal - Lightning Ridge, Australia

Incredible footage of the critically endangered Hooded Grebe in a full mating dance. This species was not even discovered until 1974 due to the remoteness of where they live in Argentina. Hopefully as more people learn about this species it can help boost conservation efforts to help them! Knowledge is power and we hope to facilitate these kind of connections to the public in the future! Learn more on our website www.keyconservation.org (link in bio) | Repost @sirovenbird | The seldom seen, full mating display dance of the Hooded Grebe, Podiceps gallardoi. @moomgene and I were luckily enough to see a breeding colony develop out of nothing in a few days, and see the whole social dynamic of displaying to pair formation to nest building and egg laying play out less than 10m from us. #patagonia #argentina #proyectomacátobiano #hoodedgrebe #dance #tango #amazing #dramatic #SouthAmerica #discover #travel #bird #birds #birding #criticallyendangered #endangered #wildlifebiologist #wildlifephotography #wildlifeconservation #wildlife #conservation #conservationoptimism #nature #animal #fieldwork #hope #endextinction #KeyConservation

Dark ocean bacteria discovered to play large role in carbon capture

This study reveals that despite their relatively low abundance, nitrite-oxidizing bacteria capture more than 1.1 gigatons of carbon dioxide in the mesopelagic zone annually. This is comparable to prior estimates of the total carbon captured in the entire dark ocean.

Marine bacteria that live in the dark depths of the ocean play a newly discovered and significant role in the global carbon cycle, according to a new study published in Science.

The “dark ocean” - everything that lies below 200 meters - makes up 90 percent of the ocean. Very little is known about the microscopic life in this realm and its critical role in transforming carbon dioxide to cell material, proteins, carbohydrates and lipids. This freshly produced organic material can then be consumed by other marine organisms enhancing the productivity of the ocean.

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The World’s Parasites Are Going Extinct. Here’s Why That’s a Bad Thing

A parasite, in essence, is any organism that makes its living off another organism (think bed bugs, leeches, vampire fish and even mistletoe). These freeloaders have been rather successful: up to half of Earth’s 7.7 million known species are parasitic, and this lifestyle has evolved independently hundreds of times. But in a study published this week in the journal Science Advances, researchers warn that climate change could drive up to one-third of Earth’s parasite species to extinction by the year 2070.

Tapeworms, like this one imaged using a scanning electron micrograph, weaken their victims but don’t typically kill them. (Mediscan / Alamy)

10 Smartest Living People on Earth

Bird seen becoming new species

A population of finches on the Galapagos is discovered in the process of becoming a new species.

This is the first example of speciation that scientists have been able to observe directly in the field.

Is Poisoned Halloween Candy a Myth? 

Every year around Halloween, we hear the same concern: you gotta check the candy for poison because strangers put laxatives in Tootsie Rolls, Razor Blades in Apples and drugs in Snickers. 

Where did this fear come from?

The truth is out there.