All upcoming Inside Science: Zoology programs

From their intricate social structures to their remarkable hunting techniques, otters captivate observers with their cleverness, charisma, and resilience. Erin Whatley and Paul Bradenburger, animal keepers with Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, reveal fascinating details about the natural history of these furry, semi-aquatic mammals—and reveal secrets of otter care at the zoo.

Over the centuries, wild cat species have been inspirations for art, religion, mythology, and legends. They have also been a source of terror for many humans. Despite this, cats have somehow ingratiated themselves into our homes. Biologist Robert Johnson examines their evolution, highlights some of the most intriguing species, and provides insight into feline behavior, conservation status, and adaptations that make cats such effective predators.

Stories that are told about octopuses involve escaping from aquariums, inventing tools, and holding grudges. But how many of these tales are true? Scientists have indeed documented extraordinary cognitive capacity and behavioral flexibility in octopuses and their close relatives, squids and cuttlefish, who are all members of the cephalopod group of animals. Biologist Danna Staaf sorts fact from fancy and considers what we can learn from them about our definition of intelligence.

It’s all about who you know when you’re an animal. For vampire bats sharing blood meals to survive, macaque monkeys forming grooming pacts after a deadly hurricane, and great tit birds learning the best way to steal milk, it pays to be well-connected. In this tour of the animal kingdom, evolutionary biologist Lee Alan Dugatkin describes social networks that existed long before the dawn of human social media.