22 discoveries this year changed our understanding of how animals communicate, compete, and defend themselves

Aylin WoodwardDec 17, 2020, 19:06 IST

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As scientists researched the evolution and behavior of animal species over the last year, our understanding of how many creatures communicate, compete, and defend themselves has changed.
New discoveries offered eye-raising insights into the behavior of sharks, penguins, dogs, and insects, among other species.
Researchers discovered this year, for example, that platypuses glow in the dark.

Even amid a pandemic, scientists across the globe have continued to make mind-boggling discoveries this year.

When it comes to findings about animals' adaptations and behaviors, one study revealed that dogs age faster than we thought relative to humans. Researchers also discovered that octopuses taste by touching objects, and engineers figured out how the diabolical ironclad beetle can get run over by a car without being crushed.

These findings and others offer unprecedented insight into how a variety of animal species hunt, survive, and thrive in a changing world.

Here are some of the most eye-raising animal discoveries of 2020.

In October, researchers figured out how we can get cats to trust us more.

Getty Images/Misko Dvasia/EyeEm

Don't worry, dog people: It was a watershed year for pup-related research. One study found that we've probably been estimating our dog's human age equivalent incorrectly.

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Don't worry, dog people: It was a watershed year for pup-related research. One study found that we've probably been estimating our dog's human age equivalent incorrectly.

Dogs prefer to look at each other, rather than at their owners, an October study found.

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Researchers did discover some neurological similarities between dogs and humans, though: One study suggests our pets process human speech in a way similar to people.

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Dogs have an uncanny ability to find their way home, and scientists may have finally deduced how it works.

Two wire-haired Fox Terriers. Alicia Nijdam/Wikimedia Commons

Sometimes, though, following the magnetic field can lead migrating animals astray.

Tourists are greeted by a gray whale whilst whale watching in San Ignacio Lagoon, Mexico. Mark Carwardine / Barcroft Media / Getty

One particular species of whale, Cuvier's beaked whale, made headlines this year after scientists observed it stay underwater for 3 hours and 42 minutes.

A Cuvier's beaked whale. Andrew J. Read

Another record-holding swimmer, the Greenland shark, is the longest-living vertebrate on the planet. Genetic analysis revealed new details about these creatures this year.

A Greenland shark seen near the Admiralty Inlet, Nunavut, Canada, 2007. Hemming1952/Wikimedia Commons

Another record-holding swimmer, the Greenland shark, is the longest-living vertebrate on the planet. Genetic analysis revealed new details about these creatures this year.

Waters in the northern Atlantic may be getting more crowded with sharks as waters warm.

A great white shark at Guadalupe Island, Mexico. Gerald Schömbs/Unsplash

Great whites are the biggest carnivorous sharks alive today, but research has shown how small they are in comparison to megalodons.

An illustration of a megalodon. Shutterstock

A jellyfish relative broke a record in 2020, becoming the longest animal ever seen.

Three views of the predatory Siphonophore Rhizophysa, a relative of the Man-o-War jellyfish. Larry Madin/ Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

That wasn't the only rare tentacled creature caught on camera in Australia this year. Researchers also spotted five bigfin squid.

A bigfin squid spotted two miles underwater in southern Australia's Great Bight. Courtesy of Deborah Osterhage/CSIRO

Scientists also discovered that platypus fur glows greenish-blue under ultraviolet light.

An adult male platypus named Millsom is carried by his keeper at an animal sanctuary in Melbourne, Australia, May 8, 2008 Mick Tsikas/Reuters

Hummingbirds, researchers recently discovered, can see ultraviolet light.

Hummingbirds fly up to the flowers in the flower garden at the faculty of Higher Studies Iztacala on the outskirts of Mexico City. Carlos Jasso/Reuters

Another impressive creature, diabolical ironclad beetle, can get squished under 39,000 times its body weight and make it out alive. In October, scientists discovered how its body does that.

A diabolical ironclad beetle, or Phloeodes diabolicus. David Kisailus/University of California, Irvine

Another impressive creature, diabolical ironclad beetle, can get squished under 39,000 times its body weight and make it out alive. In October, scientists discovered how its body does that.

Researchers also figured out why locusts swarm, which could help them stop the insects from destroying crops.

A man takes pictures of a swarm of locusts in Allahabad, India, on June 11, 2020. SANJAY KANOJIA/AFP via Getty Images

Insects can get deadly infections just like other creatures. One parasitic fungus in particular causes male cicadas to lose their minds and go on a mating frenzy.

A male cicada infected by massospora, a parasitic fungus. WVU Photo/Angie Macias

Algae can doom animals, too. That turned out to be the reason more than 300 elephants mysteriously died in Botswana between May and September.

An aerial view of an elephant that has died of mysterious causes in the Okavango Delta in Botswana. National Park Rescue

But octopuses have an adaptation that helps warn them if a potential food source is toxic. Special receptors on their tentacles help the sea creatures taste objects by touching them.

An octopus touching a cup. Lena van Giesen

But octopuses have an adaptation that helps warn them if a potential food source is toxic. Special receptors on their tentacles help the sea creatures taste objects by touching them.

Slow lorises have toxic bites, scientists discovered. But instead of using venom to hunt prey or fight predators, lorises use their bites to defend their territory.

A Javan Slow Loris in Sumedang, West Java on January 20, 2019. Mas Agung Wilis/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Researchers documented white-faced capuchin monkeys in Costa Rica eating a dead infant from their group.

A man with a capuchin monkey. J Pat Carter/AP Images

Not all primate discoveries this year were so grisly. Researchers also found that chimpanzees get choosier about friendships as they age, just like humans.

Triad of Kanyawara chimpanzees grooming: Kakama, the dominant male (on left) grooms with Johnny (on the right), an older male, and a female in the middle. Ronan Donovan

Moving scenes show the first coronavirus vaccine in the US being administered to healthcare workers across the country

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22 discoveries this year changed our understanding of how animals communicate, compete, and defend themselves

In October, researchers figured out how we can get cats to trust us more.

Don't worry, dog people: It was a watershed year for pup-related research. One study found that we've probably been estimating our dog's human age equivalent incorrectly.

Dogs prefer to look at each other, rather than at their owners, an October study found.

Researchers did discover some neurological similarities between dogs and humans, though: One study suggests our pets process human speech in a way similar to people.

Dogs have an uncanny ability to find their way home, and scientists may have finally deduced how it works.

Sometimes, though, following the magnetic field can lead migrating animals astray.

One particular species of whale, Cuvier's beaked whale, made headlines this year after scientists observed it stay underwater for 3 hours and 42 minutes.

Another record-holding swimmer, the Greenland shark, is the longest-living vertebrate on the planet. Genetic analysis revealed new details about these creatures this year.

Waters in the northern Atlantic may be getting more crowded with sharks as waters warm.

Great whites are the biggest carnivorous sharks alive today, but research has shown how small they are in comparison to megalodons.

A jellyfish relative broke a record in 2020, becoming the longest animal ever seen.

That wasn't the only rare tentacled creature caught on camera in Australia this year. Researchers also spotted five bigfin squid.

Scientists also discovered that platypus fur glows greenish-blue under ultraviolet light.

Hummingbirds, researchers recently discovered, can see ultraviolet light.

Another impressive creature, diabolical ironclad beetle, can get squished under 39,000 times its body weight and make it out alive. In October, scientists discovered how its body does that.

Researchers also figured out why locusts swarm, which could help them stop the insects from destroying crops.

Insects can get deadly infections just like other creatures. One parasitic fungus in particular causes male cicadas to lose their minds and go on a mating frenzy.

Algae can doom animals, too. That turned out to be the reason more than 300 elephants mysteriously died in Botswana between May and September.

But octopuses have an adaptation that helps warn them if a potential food source is toxic. Special receptors on their tentacles help the sea creatures taste objects by touching them.

Slow lorises have toxic bites, scientists discovered. But instead of using venom to hunt prey or fight predators, lorises use their bites to defend their territory.

Researchers documented white-faced capuchin monkeys in Costa Rica eating a dead infant from their group.

Not all primate discoveries this year were so grisly. Researchers also found that chimpanzees get choosier about friendships as they age, just like humans.