Animals

July 17, 2025

Photographer Documents Elusive and Majestic Red-Crowned Cranes in Hokkaido

Symbolizing loyalty and longevity in Asian culture, the red-crowned crane (Grus japonensis) is an elusive creature. Tall and majestic, these birds can live up to 30 years in captivity, but their habitat has been severely restricted. To see them, photographer Alex Yazlovsky made the long journey from the United States to the Japanese island of Hokkaido, which is home to a growing non-migratory population.

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June 5, 2025

Research Reveals That Ancient Trade Routes Delivered Domestic Cats to China

With increasing urbanization, countries like China have seen pet ownership skyrocket, and cats have become especially popular. One of the nation’s most well-known native cats is the líhuā māo, or “leopard cat patterned cat,” a breed featured in Chinese folklore and now called the Dragon Li. This breed, developed from a common landrace of cats in China, raises a natural question: how did cats first arrive in the region?

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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.