evolution

Why are flamingos red? Why do they stand on one leg? Scientific papers explain everything from the six species classifications to the reasons for their evolution.

The vibrant pink flamingos you see at zoos. In Kenshi Yonezu's song "Flamingo," their unstable, one-legged stance, their curved beaks, and their striking red color all play a central role, depicting the fleeting relationships of unfulfilled men and women, and the emptiness and patheticness of modern people...

2026.10.24

animal

13.28454 Long-nosed pygmy fly, female, adult

Why is the mouth of the beneficial insect, the long-nosed tachinid fly, so long? Its surprising behavior: a parasitic fly that feeds on nectar.

Are you familiar with the fly *Prosena siberita*? As its name suggests, it's characterized by its long, slender proboscis. Because of its extremely long proboscis relative to its body, at first glance it might resemble a blood-sucking stable fly or horsefly....

2026.10.19

animal

Posts 14444 Featured Image Why Do Snails Have Hairs

Why do snails have hair? The latest research explains the role of hair on their shells.

When we think of snails, we generally picture them slowly moving around with their coiled shells on their backs. But did you know that some snail species have their shells covered in a dense layer of fine hairs? At first glance, it almost looks like they're wearing fur. Why...?.

2026.10.19

animal

Posts 25331 Featured Image Why Armpits Sweat When Nervous

Why do we sweat under our arms when we're nervous? This article explains the role of pheromones, which communicate fear and anxiety, based on research papers.

Why do we sweat under our arms when we're nervous? This article explains everything from the physiological mechanisms behind sweating before a presentation to the effects of sweat odor on other people's emotions and brains. Based on research papers, it explores the possibility that human sweat acts as a pheromone to convey fear and anxiety, and its evolutionary significance.

2026.10.18

animal

Posts 25320 Featured Image Loxoblemmus Male Flat Head Evolution

Why are the faces of male cockatiels and three-horned crickets flat? Unraveling the evolutionary mystery through male-male combat.

When observing male Loxoblemmus campestris, Loxoblemmus sylvestris, and Loxoblemmus doenitzi crickets, their faces appear as if they have been severed...

2026.10.18

animal

What are the differences between aloe and agave? An explanation of how to distinguish between similar species.

Aloe and agave (Agave verum) both belong to the Asparagales order and are characterized by their drought tolerance, succulent, thick leaves, and thorns along the leaf margins. As succulents, they are frequently seen being cultivated in urban areas throughout Japan. However, seeing an agave...

2026.07.23

plant

What are the differences between Japanese pokeweed (Phytolacca americana), American pokeweed (Phytolacca americana var. japonica), and round pokeweed (Phytolacca americana var. japonica)? How do they differ from burdock (Phytolacca americana)? We'll explain how to distinguish between similar species! Even though it's highly poisonous to humans, birds are unaffected!?

Japanese pokeweed (Phytolacca americana), American pokeweed (Phytolacca oleracea), and round pokeweed (Phytolacca oleracea) all belong to the Phytolaccaceae family and genus Phytolacca. Their names come from the fact that their fleshy, thick roots resemble those of burdock (Philadelphia arvensis), and they are characterized by their entirely poisonous nature and dark purple berries. However, the three species are often confused...

2026.07.11

plant

Posts 24088 Featured Image Salmon Red Color Evolution Antioxidant

Why are salmon flesh and salmon roe red (pink)? A scientific explanation of the surprising evolutionary reasons and antioxidant properties!

It's common knowledge that salmon sashimi (meat), fillets, and salmon roe are red or salmon pink. Whether you're at a sushi restaurant, playing Salmon Run in the game Splatoon, or seeing Sanrio's KIRIMI-chan, you accept it without question...

2026.06.18

animal

Posts 20230 Featured Image Wordpress Bed Bug Detection And Eradication Guide

[Real-life experience] How to find bed bugs and the complete procedure for eradicating them! A thorough explanation of bite marks, eggs, and their life cycle.

Recently, bed bugs appeared in my apartment. Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) are indoor pests belonging to the genus Cimex in the family Cordycepsidae, order Hemiptera. In Japan, after World War II, effective insecticides were used to combat them...

2026.05.18

animal

07.1157 Akebia trifoliata (female flower)

What are the differences between Akebia, Akebia trifoliata, Akebia quinata, and Stauntonia hexaphylla? We explain how to distinguish between similar species! Are the large female flowers a way to deceive insects? Who eats the fruit in the wild?

Akebia, Akebia trifoliata, Akebia quinata, and Stauntonia hexaphylla all belong to the Akebia family. They are climbing plants with palmately compound leaves, and a key characteristic is that male and female flowers bloom separately. Akebia and Akebia trifoliata, in particular, are famous for the edible white, gelatinous pulp inside their opened fruits. For many, it's a taste of the countryside from their childhood...

2026.03.24

plant