Buzzworthy | Tiny Toad | Frog Sauna

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Everyone’s variations of “2025 wrapped” were extremely helpful for me this year! Without them, I may not have realized I’m out of tape for wrapping presents.

—Steve 🎁 

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Buzzworthy

Move over social butterflies, bumble bees are masters of spreading the positivity contagion. Researchers utilized sugar rewards to observe the extroverted buzz.

• Bees displayed optimistic behavior after completing challenges

• Nestmates that observed optimism adopted the mindset

• Spreading it throughout the colony

These findings suggest insect emotional states are more complex than previously assumed. Better understanding bees’ social nature could improve managed colonies and conservation efforts. Unbeelievable.

Literally what the buzz is about — Bee about it

Tiny Toad

New toadlet just dropped. Well, newly discovered. Despite its aposematism, the bright orange amphibian (Bracycephalus lulai) wasn’t seen, but heard.

• Aposematism = warning coloration or sound

• Located by following male mating croaks

• Smol enough to sit comfortably on a pencil tip

B. lulai thrives among leaf litter in a very small section of the Serra do Quiriri mountains in Brazil. An area where conservationists are cataloguing and protecting wildlife from human exploration.

Can we change its name to “B. orangeyougladyoudidnteatme”? — Seeing is believing

Frog Sauna

Saunas are saving lives in Australia. Heat is providing defense for endangered green and golden bell frogs threatened by chytrid fungus.

• Chytrid fungus disrupts amphibian breathing and hydration

• Warm temperatures kill the fungus

• Scientists built mini-greenhouses for winter warming

These “frog saunas” are kept at temps comfy for frogs, but deadly for chytrid fungus. Researchers are working on how to scale distribution of the affordable DIY shelters and encouraging citizen scientists to join.

Imagines Kermit with an Aussie accent — Hop to it!

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st3v on site

Bee’s Knees

Long-time readers may recognize this as the 3rd time they saw st3v! (and 1st time visiting Bee’s Knees Coffee)

I intended to draw a new comic, but Procreate isn’t cooperating. Fortunately, I always enjoy looking back at early drawings!

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