Communication

Secrets of Skin episode 5 - Defence

Secrets of Skin episode 5 – Defence

Nature / 3 minutes of reading / / By

Secrets of Skin episode 5 – Defence: What is the most toxic animal on earth? How are porcupine quills helping us in medicine? Why is a rhino armour plated, and it is not to protect them from lions? Professor Ben Garrod discovers the complex ways, from camouflage to deadly toxins, in which the skin helps defend animals against threats of all kinds. From the barbed quills of the North American porcupine to the battering ram of a rhino’s horn, the skin has developed an impressive armoury of weapons and warnings to keep predators at bay.     With experiments and […]

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Secrets of Skin episode 4 - Communication

Secrets of Skin episode 4 – Communication

Science / 3 minutes of reading / / By

Secrets of Skin episode 4 – Communication: Why are male mandrill faces (big bold primates from West Africa) red and blue? How are birds’ feathers so colourful? What do ringtail lemurs do to talk to one another? Their skin holds the key. As Professor Ben Garrod explores how animals communicate with one another, he uncovers a myriad more wonderful ways.     Skin has evolved in some remarkable ways to enable animals to communicate with each other, from vibrant displays of colour to skin pouches to amplify sound. Ben shows how animals have evolved to use skin to make themselves

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