Research into new species by zoologists is essential in helping us to protect the animal kingdom and adapt to climate change.
This may come as a surprise, but thereβs a whole lot we donβt know about life on Earth. In fact, new species are being discovered by biologists all the time.
While the last year may have felt uneventful for most, scientists were busy naming and describing over 500 previously unknown species of monkeys, insects, octopus, and more.
Alongside this, investigating how wildlife is managing the changes to their natural environment β caused by human behaviour β has been critical.
Itβs true the climate is changing faster than most animals can adapt. For birds and mammals, biological adaptation such as heat resistance and increased water retention are a long process.
The good news is many animals put up a decent fight β theyβll adapt by changing their behaviours and pass the learned strategies over to their young.
Rare iridescent snake discovered in Vietnam in the Ha Giang province. The species is part of a rare genus of burrowing snakes that branched from the evolutionary tree earlier than most other groups. The researchers named the new species Achalinus zugorum https://t.co/FS9lc1e84b
Scientists have observed songbirds laying their eggs up to two weeks earlier, timing the birth of their chicks with the survival-window of their food, which is mainly made up of caterpillars.
This learned behaviour is necessary as insects evolve quickly. As the caterpillar senses changes in its environment β such as warming temperatures β breeding behaviours will be adjusted to optimise its survival.
Eagles are also migrating earlier and turtles have been seen adjusting their routes for nesting and feeding due to altered ocean currents.
Such changed behaviour isnβt always successful. Continued stress on environments has scientists questioning if weβre headed rapidly towards the loss of over half of global species.
This might sound daunting, but mass extinction events arenβt new. They are part of our planetβs nature; our actions are simply speeding up the process.
There have already been five known mass extinctions. In fact, 98 percent of all life that has ever existed on Earth is now extinct because of them.
Of course, you already know this. Dinosaur fossils are proof of species completely wiped out, biological processes restarting, and the evolution of a new animal kingdom emerging.
If we donβt change our behaviours, we could incite another. Acknowledging the extraordinary evolutionary powers of life on Earth though, thatβs as terrifying as it is intriguing.
Who knows what the next era will look like?
Protecting the future of the animal kingdom
We donβt have to find out. Plenty of conservation efforts are underway to protect wildlife.
Zoologistsβ rich knowledge of the impact animals have on sustaining their ecosystem has helped prioritise the protection of certain species.
The World Wildlife Foundation has spotlighted the protection of ten species based on their importance in the food chain, as well as their crucial role in regulating and sustaining the balance of surrounding biodiversity β as bears, big cats, sharks, and apes do.
By protecting the environments where these top predators live, a knock-on effect is created whereby surrounding animals are also safeguarded.
This list might seem intuitive, however many of these animals became critically endangered through poaching activity before their significance for supporting biodiversity was known.
One landmark success is the restoration of white rhino population. For years it was thought to be extinct, but thanks to the African Wildlife Foundationβs environmental protection efforts, populations are increasing.
Humans have contributed to the decline of species in the past and thanks to zoologists and conservationists, we know itβs possible to restore them.
Read more about the amazing efforts of the worldβs biggest conversation projects here.
Deputy Editor & Content Partnership ManagerLondon, UK
Iβm Jessica (She/Her). Iβm the Deputy Editor & Content Partnership Manager at Thred. Originally from the island of Bermuda, I specialise in writing about ocean health and marine conservation, but you can also find me delving into pop culture, health and wellness, plus sustainability in the beauty and fashion industries. Follow me on Twitter, LinkedIn and drop me some ideas/feedback via email.
Since the start of this year, Israeli settlers have committed a record number of attacks on people and homes in the West Bank. These land grabs, which often violence and arson, continue as Israelβs far-right minister says he will approve more than 3,000 new illegal settlements in the area.
Israeli extremists are carrying out one of the most violent campaigns against Palestinian villages in the West Bank since 2006,...
The One Big Beautiful Bill, passed in early July, has paralysed progress towards making aviation fuel mainstream in the US. What now?
Trumpβs One Big Beautiful Bill has tarnished the Presidentβs relationship with former chum Elon Musk, but thereβs plenty of collateral that hasnβt received nearly as much attention.
The Act, consistent of Trumpβs ideologies packed into one neat and tidy file, has heavily targeted plans for renewable infrastructure. Already,
Last month, the British government banned the group Palestine Action and warned that anyone who continued to show support for it would βfeel the full force of the lawβ. At a peaceful protest this weekend, 500 people were arrested, of which more than half were aged sixty or over.
On Saturday, The London Metropolitan Police arrested 532 people at a Palestine Action protest in Central London.
It said the majority of...
The growing dependency on tech is driving us apart. But there are ways to prevent being swallowed by your phone.
β84% of Americans say they are online either several times a day or βalmost constantly,β writes Christina Caron. I must amidst I didnβt even bat an eyelid at that statistic β which says it all, really.
Iβve used 2025 as a sort of βhealth kickβ year. Newly single and determined to...
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.