Monthly Archives: July 2026

Jellyfish seem like such an enigma. They seem to be gelatinous blobs that float around mindlessly throughout ocean environments. In fact, jellyfish play an intricate role in the ecosystems they inhabit. There are over 2000 known species of jellyfish, and likely many more, since the majority of the ocean organisms are yet to have been discovered. Interestingly, out of the 2000 species we have discovered, roughly only 70 species produce a sting that can hurt humans. Moon jellyfish, which are shown in the image above, are a common species of jellyfish whose sting cannot penetrate human skin.? 

????The stinging cells that jellyfish possess are known as nematocysts, which aid in their ability to capture prey. Jellyfish fall under the phylum Cnidaria, and other organisms in this phylum produce their own nematocysts. However, some organisms like sea slugs consume jellyfish and other Cnidaria to use as their own form of defense. Sea slugs have a tough chitin-lined digestive tract, which helps protect the organism from the stinging cells’ potency. Instead of digesting those cells, they are instead transported to the tips of the projections on their back to then be used for their own defense. The process of taking the Cnidarians’ stinging cells to be used by the organism consuming them is known as kleptocnidy. Two other organisms that practice kleptocnidy include flatworms and comb jellies.? 

???? When jellyfish die, their carcasses sink to the ocean floor relatively fast. Since their bodies consist of a significant amount of carbon deposits and sink at a fast rate, this ensures that it isn’t lost in the upper oceanic layers. The carbon is then stored in the sediments of the ocean floor for a long time. To put that into perspective, roughly 3.7 – 6.8 billion tons of carbon a year are stored in ocean sediment by jellyfish impact alone. The carbon that is stored in the sediments is able to provide nutrients for various bacteria and crustaceans that otherwise wouldn’t be able to get it from the ocean surface.? 

??Anything that jellyfish consume goes out in a usable form for other organisms after they die. During jellyfish blooms, which are when there is a vast amount of a jellyfish population at one time, they consume a large number of plankton and thus continuously store those nutrients in their body. When they pass away or excrete waste, it comes out as nutrients that continuously fuel more phytoplankton growth!? 

????It can be so fascinating to dive into a specific organism and see how they impact their environment.? Jellyfish are fascinating creatures that have a wonderful job in nutrient cycling and carbon sequestration!? 

Resources –>?https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2783962/ 

Spiders are a common encounter among many people worldwide as well as a very common fear. However, if you move beyond their eight legs, multiple eyes and sticky webs, spiders are a wonderfully fascinating species and very beneficial to our natural world.  

One of the biggest benefits is their ability to act as a natural form of pest control, which in turn helps slow down the spread of diseases that insects can spread such as E.coli from flies, malaria from mosquitoes, and Salmonella from roaches which are also known to be carriers of over 30 different types of bacteria, parasitic worms, and viruses. Spiders spin their webs in intricate ways to trap most insects that have the potential to be infectious. In fact, the different web patterns that various spider species spin are extremely important because it’s made to aid in trapping specific insects.? 

Orb webs are the typical circular web that resemble a bicycle wheel and is designed to absorb the shock of flying insects. Funnel webs, which resemble long tubes, are built so the spider can stay out of sight while an unsuspecting insect crawls inside, giving the spider enough time to pounce. Cobwebs are the typical Halloween decor, which resemble messy 3D webs that are designed to knock flying insects to the ground. Thick, zigzag patterns known as stabilimenta, aid in reflecting the light of the sun to warn birds not to ruin the spider’s hard work.? 

????While most spiders are harmless to humans, there are a few exceptions that can be dangerous. In the United States, the female black widow spider with the red hourglass on its abdomen and the brown recluse spider, which has a dark violin-shaped marking on its head pointing towards the abdomen, have an incredibly nasty bite that would require immediate medical intervention.? 

???Although pest control might be helpful if you have an infestation of a dangerous species of spider in your home, most spiders can be removed humanely or left to perform their important ecological job. 

Resource –>?https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12586304/ 

It’s likely you’ve heard the term pheromones used in discussions about both animals and humans. But what exactly are they? Pheromones are chemical signals released by animals to communicate with members of the same species. While they are most commonly associated with reproduction, they also serve many other functions, such as warning of predators, marking territory, and attracting others to a specific location. 

Pheromones were first discovered in moths when scientists investigated how male moths could locate females in complete darkness. Researchers found that female moths release a unique chemical blend that attracts males. Further study revealed that each moth species produces its own distinct pheromone signature, allowing communication only within that species. In some animals, pheromones also help ensure reproductive fitness. For example, male rats produce certain pheromones only when they have adequate testosterone levels. Lower testosterone can be associated with reduced fertility, smaller reproductive organs, and lower energy, making those males less attractive to potential mates. 

Our pets are also expert communicators through pheromones. When dogs or cats urinate around the home, they may be marking territory, signaling to other animals that the area is already claimed. Cats use pheromones in more endearing ways as well. When a cat rubs its head against you, it’s not only showing affection—it’s also marking you as part of its social group. 

But do humans (Homo sapiens) have pheromones? Many perfume companies market products containing “human pheromones” that supposedly increase attraction, but scientific evidence does not support these claims. While our distant ancestors likely used pheromone-based communication, no human pheromone has been conclusively identified. As humans evolved, advanced cognition, language, and social behaviors likely reduced any reliance on chemical communication. 

A useful comparison can be made with skunks, whose scent glands are highly specialized for chemical signaling. Human scent-related glands, by contrast, are far less developed because we communicate information directly through language and social interaction. The odors humans produce are generally influenced by factors such as diet, sweat, hormones, and genetics rather than pheromonal communication. 

Scientists use several criteria when determining whether a chemical signal qualifies as a pheromone, including species specificity, a clearly identified chemical structure, and a demonstrated role in natural behavior. While these criteria are well established in many animal species, humans have yet to meet them. As a result, the current scientific consensus is that humans do not possess confirmed pheromones, relying instead on complex social and verbal forms of communication. 

Resources –>?Pheromone – an overview | ScienceDirect Topics 

Dog Pheromones: Their Role & Importance | Lancaster Puppies 

The long quest to identify human pheromones and the smell of attraction, aggression and fear – Scienceline 

Pure Instinct Lawsuit Alleges Pheromone Product Efficacy Claims Are ‘Scientifically False’?? 

Owls are fascinating little creatures that have adapted to be skilled hunters that get a lot of human attention. From their fuzzy appearance to big doe eyes, and puppy-like demeaner, it’s hard to have disdain for them! In South Florida we have a native species of owl called the Athene Cunicularia otherwise known as the Burrowing Owl! That species of owl is incredibly unique because it is both one of the smallest and the only one that nests underground. They spend a good portion of their time on the surface watching out for predators, and potential prey they might encounter. 

Living in burrows can have its ups and downs. Burrowing Owls find it to be an ideal place to keep their eggs and young at stable temperatures as they grow. They can start laying their eggs as early as February since we have warmer temperatures! However, during the rainy season, their burrows are at risk of flooding which could lead to the loss of their vulnerable young. It takes approximately 40 days from when they are incubated to when they become adults. The Florida rainy season starts in the summer months, sometimes as early as April. Sometimes these little creatures have close encounters with poor weather and have to abandon their nest for their own safety. 

Burrowing owls are one of the few animals’ species that are entirely monogamous, which means they stay loyal to one partner. So, when it’s time for them to have a family, the male would be the one to stand guard and hunt for food while the female stays inside the burrow and incubates their clutch of eggs. It takes approximately 3 weeks for the eggs to finish the incubation period, and then another week of them growing up to as baby chicks entirely dependent on their parents for survival. They have a unique fledgling phase, which is when they are starting to get more comfortable walking around, and they’d stay by the entrance of their burrow to stretch their wings and observe their surroundings. It’s also where they begin practicing their hunting skills which include pouncing on prey! 

They have unique behaviors when it comes down to their burrows which can be differentiated by whether they are northern or southern Burrowing Owls. Northern Burrowing Owls are migratory and evict animals such as prairie dogs from their burrows to reside in them. They also tend to have more feathered legs which are better suited for colder climates! Meanwhile, southern Burrowing Owls are non-migratory, and so they tend to make their own burrows and reside in them longer-term. Some Burrowing Owls have also been known to cover their burrows in cow manure to both mask their scent from predators and attract dung beetles to their residence. They can also imitate rattle snake sounds to deter predators that get too close!

Burrowing Owls are an excellent natural pest control, primarily feeding bugs and small rodents. They are vital to our ecosystems and truly an intriguing organism! 

Resources –> The Very Strange and Unusual Burrowing Owl

47 Fascinating Owl Facts [2025] | FactRetriever.com

Fascinating Facts About Owls | Almanac.com