Animals

March 27, 2025

18th-Century Portuguese Library Has Bats That Protect the Priceless Books Housed Inside

Stashed inside the Biblioteca Joanina at the University of Coimbra, Portugal, are more than 60,000 books, many of which are first or historical editions dating back hundreds of years. Preserving such precious volumes demands care, attention, and, in this case, bats. Every night, colonies of bats emerge from behind the towering bookshelves, swooping across the 18th-century library in search of the beetles and moths that would otherwise chew up manuscript pages.

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March 20, 2025

Ocean Census Announces the Discovery of Over 800 New Marine Species

Scientists estimate that about 91% of ocean species have yet to be classified, and that more than 80% of our ocean remains unmapped and unexplored. Jointly launched in 2023 by the Nippon Foundation and Nekton, Ocean Census seeks to accelerate the discovery of ocean life, uniting hundreds of scientists from institutions around the world to lead the process.

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March 3, 2025

Artist Creates Adorable Hamster Illustrations Inspired by Traditional Japanese Art

Traditional Japanese paintings, made with organic pigments on silk or paper, have a dreamy, almost otherworldly quality that draws you right in. This style, called Nihonga, is the inspiration behind Japanese artist Otama-shimai’s work. She captures the ethereal style with a modern twist, making adorable hamsters the stars of her work. Although Otama-shimai’s works are created digitally, she beautifully preserves the charm of traditional Nihonga paintings through her thoughtful use of texture.

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My Modern Met

Celebrating creativity and promoting a positive culture by spotlighting the best sides of humanity—from the lighthearted and fun to the thought-provoking and enlightening.