North York Central Library Blog

Ever wonder why male seahorses get pregnant, Sumatran tigers adore Calvin Klein’s Obsession, and cows listen to music?  If not, then you’re probably wondering now! 

Animals never cease to amaze, and just when you think you’ve heard it all, biologists and zoologists around the world uncover an exciting new facet to their mysteriousness.  For instance, male seahorses harness (no pun intended) the ability to hold the female's egg deposits within their pouches.  It's true!  Although sex role reversal has been debated, it seems that male seahorses assist in the reproduction of offspring by allowing females to rest in between deposits.  In the meantime, the male seahorse attaches itself to a plant using its tail, and waits for the eggs to hatch, after which he no longer maintains any relationship to them.

More recently, a new study conducted by York University’s Professor Suzanne MacDonald, found that Sumatran Tigers lolling about in the Toronto Zoo, went absolutely “ape” when a $90 bottle of Calvin Klein’s Obsession was sprayed into their otherwise inactive enclosure.  Leopards and cheetahs had a similar response.  The result?  The birth of 3 new baby cubs.  However, although the perfume is chock-full of various chemicals, it is still uncertain as to which chemical compound would incite such mating practices.

This study sparked interest for MacDonald when it came to other animals, such as elephants.  Wild elephants in Kenya were continually trampling through farmland and getting in the way of cars when migrating north to mate.  Although perfume was ineffective, they found elephants followed their noses when it came to vanilla food flavouring.  Today, they leave vanilla trails that lead elephants away from areas where they may damage property, harm people, or even harm themselves.

Think that’s all?  For those looking for an audience for musical recitals, try performing for cows. Evidently, cows tend to produce 3% more milk when seduced by seductive, calming music.  According to researcher Dr. Adrian North, smoochy music is a stress relief for cows.  Oddly, loud, booming tunes did not have any effect, despite its potential to alarm or frighten.

Field biologist, Mary Crump in her book Headless Males Make Great Lovers, writes all about the fascinating, and sometimes odd, behavior of animals, as they exercise methods to survive.  Learn why Egyptian vultures throw stones as ostrich eggs and why female praying mantises bite the heads off their mates.

Nasty, Brutish and Short by Pat Senson, not only focuses on the strange reproduction practices of animals and other insects, but, also takes a look at their methods to protect themselves when threatened by danger.  Find out how shrimp explode their prey, and why beetles can shoot out boiling hot toxic liquid. 

For those of you readers who are captivated by all forms of animal behaviour pick up the title, Life: Extraordinary Animals, Extreme Behaviors by Martha Holmes and Michael Gunton which tells the story of animals' curious interaction for survival and the development of their young for future generations. 

Animals my growl, hiss and yelp, but the mysteries behind them continually captivate our interest as we forge forward in our search to learn more and fear less.

Visit the Science & Technology Department at the North York Central Library for more information.