animal news blog – Page 2

亞馬遜蛙類體內含微塑膠

May 12, 2026

研究首次在巴西亞馬遜地區的兩棲動物體內發現微塑膠。一項針對委內瑞拉吻樹蛙的研究表明，蝌蚪體內的污染物含量高於成年個體。這些微塑膠可能來自污水和漁業活動；蝌蚪很可能在攝食藻類和真菌時將其攝入。專家警告，這些微塑膠可能對兩棲動物造成基因和生理損傷，並對該地區的生物多樣性構成威脅。

Microplastics were found in amphibians in the Brazilian Amazon for the first time. A study of Venezuelan snouted treefrogs shows that tadpoles carry higher levels of pollutants than adults. These microplastics likely originate from sewage and fishing activities, and tadpoles probably ingest them while feeding on algae and fungi in their aquatic habitats. Experts warn that these microplastics may cause genetic and physiological damage to amphibians and pose an environmental threat to the region’s biodiversity.

https://news.mongabay.com/short-article/2026/05/study-finds-microplastics-in-tadpoles-in-the-amazon-for-the-first-time/

通緝外來鬣蜥

April 29, 2026

在台灣，入侵物種綠鬣蜥（𝘐𝘨𝘶𝘢𝘯𝘢 𝘪𝘨𝘶𝘢𝘯𝘢）與當地原生物種爭奪資源，破壞生態系統，並影響當地農業。當地政府培訓專業獵人協助捕捉這些鬣蜥，並以獎金作為回報；去年共捕獲26萬隻鬣蜥。綠鬣蜥最初透過寵物交易被引入台灣，相信是因意外逃脫或原主人棄養而被放生。

In Taiwan, the invasive green iguana (𝘐𝘨𝘶𝘢𝘯𝘢 𝘪𝘨𝘶𝘢𝘯𝘢) competes with native species for resources, damaging ecosystems and local agriculture. The local government trains and rewards certified hunters to capture these iguanas; 260,000 were captured last year. Green iguanas were introduced to Taiwan through the pet trade, likely after escaping or being released by former owners.

https://www.earth.com/news/green-iguanas-spreading-so-fast-that-taiwan-is-paying-people-to-catch-it/

雲霧林中的離地公廁

April 28, 2026

研究發現，哥斯達黎加雲霧林中的多種哺乳動物會利用絞殺榕（𝘍𝘪𝘤𝘶𝘴 𝘵𝘶𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘬𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘪）的特定樹枝交界處作為公共廁所。絞殺榕獨特的生長形態形成許多平坦的高空平台；研究人員以紅外線相機記錄到17種不同的哺乳動物會到訪這些平台排便，並透過氣味交換社交訊息。

Researchers found that various cloud-forest mammals in Costa Rica use specific tree junctions of the strangler fig (𝘍𝘪𝘤𝘶𝘴 𝘵𝘶𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘬𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘪) as shared latrines. The strangler fig’s unique growth form creates flat platforms high in the canopy. Using camera traps, researchers recorded 17 different mammal species visiting these sites to defecate and to exchange social information via scent.

https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Graph-A-shows-the-frequency-of-occurrence-of-different-mammal-species-at-the-site_fig4_402162355

全球暖化再讓兩物種列瀕危

April 28, 2026

皇帝企鵝與南極毛皮海獅現已被列為瀕危物種。全球暖化是導致牠們數量下降的主要原因。海水溫度上升與海冰減少影響海獅主要食物來源——南極磷蝦的數量。企鵝的繁殖、孵卵與育雛都依賴海冰，因此海冰減少也使牠們的繁殖成功率下降，進而面臨滅絕風險。

The emperor penguin and the Antarctic fur seal are now listed as endangered. Global warming is a major cause of their population declines. Rising ocean temperatures and reduced sea ice are affecting the availability of the seals’ main food source, Antarctic krill. As sea ice disappears and fewer reliable platforms are available for penguins to breed, incubate eggs, and rear chicks, their breeding success rate declines, putting them at risk of extinction.

https://theconversation.com/the-beloved-emperor-penguin-and-antarctic-fur-seal-are-now-officially-endangered-heres-what-can-be-done-280362

放歸前缺乏研究導致死亡

April 7, 2026

研究發現，將獲救的孟加拉懶猴放歸野外常導致死亡。研究追蹤了被放歸的懶猴，發現9隻中有7隻在放歸後數週內死亡，其中多數是被其他懶猴殺死。這表明目前的放歸方式缺乏對棲息地飽和度與懶猴社會行為的研究。研究建議，相較於試圖修正放歸計畫，打擊非法販運與防止棲息地喪失更為有效。

A study found that releasing rescued Bengal slow lorises into the wild often results in fatalities. The researchers tracked released lorises and found that seven of nine died within weeks of release, most killed by other slow lorises. This indicates that current reintroduction methods lack research on habitat saturation and the species’ social behavior. The study suggests that combating illegal trafficking and preventing habitat loss is more effective than trying to fix the release program.

https://theconversation.com/freeing-poached-wildlife-safely-is-a-dangerous-myth-new-study-275586