Constantly Sci-Tracked

Buckle up ladies and gentlemen, it's time for the thrilling sequel to the amazing tale of ' Rock-Paper-Scissors-Lizard-Lizard-...Lizard?'. For those of you who haven't read the original, you may want to start  here . But for those of you who have, let's get started.  Now if you've got a keen eye you may have noticed one fewer Lizard  in this title. That's because the female side-blotched lizards ( Uta stansburiana ) only have two colour morphs. But don't worry, their fight for population dominance is no less intense. So without any further ado, I should introduce our two contestants. The common side-blotched lizard, master of genetic Rock-Paper-Scissors. Image credit: Bryce Bradford ( Flickr ) In the orange corner  These brutal brawlers are the rapid reproducers of the species. When the orange-throated lizards lay their clutch of eggs it's not so much about who can lay the biggest, they just want to be the one to lay the most. This is called ...

If you've ever seen the TV series 'The big bang theory' then you should know about  rock-paper-scissors-lizard-spock , the classic alternative to the game rock-paper-scissors . However, I bet you've never heard about the all lizard variant lizard-lizard-lizard . Rock-Paper-Scissors-Lizard Spock. Image credit: DMacks ( Wikimedia Commons ) Unlike the other versions, lizard-lizard-lizard is actually played in real life between lizards, and involves the competition between different colour morphs of the side-blotched lizard, all differentiated by having different coloured throats. So, without any further ado, I guess it's time to meet our contenders. In the orange corner! The big orange fighting machine. This hulk of a lizard is the 'ultra-dominant' male. These guys keep and defend a pretty large territory for lizards their size (≈100 m²). Their size and power come with some great advantages. Holding this much territory means that they have access to ...

Let's get this straight, it really isn't a dog eat dog world out there. Dog cannibalism just doesn't happen that often. For sharks on the other hand, cannibalism is a bit more of a regular occurrence; in fact, there is one species in which every shark becomes a cannibal before even being born. That species is the sand tiger shark (also known as the grey nurse shark or spotted ragged-tooth shark). Sand tiger sharks definitely look scary enough for that title, but don't worry they're unlikely to attack humans  unprovoked and their mouths are too small for a fatal bite. Image credit: R.A. Killmer ( Flickr ) For their very first meal sand tiger sharks eat their brothers and sisters in what can best be described as a real life Hunger Games. Enter the arena Just like with many other things in life, this story begins in a uterus. What's unusual though, is that this uterus is an arena for one of natures most violent 'games'. The game begins at f...

In the animal kingdom there is one romance so tragic, it puts even Shakespeare ’s finest work to shame. That romance is the life of the antechinus. If you’re not sure wha t an antechinus is, imagine a shrew, but prettier. Actually that’s a picture of an antechinus dow n there, so maybe just look at that. A shrew but prettier. Image credit: Mel Williams ( Wikimedia Commons ) These animals live a cycle of love at first sight(s), followed by a sad and unfortunate death. So keep reading and I will recount to you the tale of two tragic lovers. Act I: Love at first sight… and second, and third, and then a few more The day would start out like almost any other for our dear Romeo, with one exception, his  testosterone  levels are beginning to skyrocket. The breeding season has begun. Romeo goes on the prowl. Heart pumping and mind racing, he searches for a partner. That’s when he sees her, his true love. Romeo dashes to Juliet, fighting off all oppone...