Scott Travers

Contributor|Science

I am an American evolutionary biologist, based at Rutgers University, where I specialize in biodiversity, evolution, and genomics. Drop me a note, here. Thanks for your readership and support.

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6,556 views17 hours ago

This Black Fungus Might Be Healing Chernobyl By Drinking Radiation—A Biologist Explains

Cladosporium sphaerospermum is a remarkable species of radiotrophic fungus that is thriving in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone and which scientists are studying to unlock applications in a wide range of fields.

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11,107 viewsOct 31, 2024

The Tasmanian Tiger Is Close To De-Extinction—But What’s Next?

After the last known Tasmanian tiger died in captivity over 80 years ago, this marsupial predator might be a few steps away from a return to the world of the living.

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1,146 viewsOct 30, 2024

How One Cane Toad Disrupted An Entire Ecosystem—And Ignited A Yearly Purge

Brought in to address a problem, cane toads now represent one of Australia’s biggest ecological conundrums. Here’s what went wrong.

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6,341 viewsOct 27, 2024

This Is The Ugliest Frog Ever, And It Coexisted With Dinosaurs

The extremely rare Indian purple frog doesn’t really look like a frog. It’s also a living fossil that’s been around since before some of the Earth’s continents formed.

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78,896 viewsOct 26, 2024

‘Bigfoot Sightings’ Are Almost Always This Animal In Disguise—A Biologist Explains

While the allure of unmasking the Sasquatch will continue to fascinate many, scientific evidence suggests we already know the identity of this mysterious hominid.

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7,712 viewsOct 24, 2024

Meet The Rare Pescatarian Treat That Can Give You A ‘Bad Trip’ (Hint: It’s Found In The Atlantic Ocean)

Cooking this so-called "dreamfish" won’t necessarily spare you from its hallucinogenic effects. The silver lining? These nightmarish "trips" are as rare as the fish itself.

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387,239 viewsOct 22, 2024

Killer Whales Hunt Moose For Prey In This Region—A Biologist Highlights One Of Nature’s Most Unique Interactions

Under these circumstances, killer whales have been known to hunt and prey on moose.

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9,472 viewsOct 20, 2024

The ‘Mantis Shrimp’ Is A True Scientific Marvel—Here’s Why

The mantis shrimp’s astonishing punch, cancer-detecting vision and remarkable capacity for cellular repair make it an unexpected subject of scientific fascination.

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137,866 viewsOct 19, 2024

Meet The 12mm Fish That’s As Loud As A Jet Engine

Native to Southeast Asia, a tiny freshwater fish packs a surprising punch with its loud calls. Today, ichthyologists have uncovered the secret behind its powerful sound.

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1,287 viewsOct 13, 2024

3 Bizarre Octopus Species You Haven’t Heard Of (Hint: One Can Possibly Kill You)

These octopuses can paralyze humans, use marine trash as tools and have a deadly mating ritual.