Devin Reese

They’re an evolutionary feat all of their own

A midbrain bypass may have unlocked their abilities to speak

Used in mice, it induces fasting, but by an unusual mechanism

Why not get a cocker spaniel or poodle instead?

How males adjust their behavior to keep the beat

Which may help it evade predators

Which may keep them safer from bigger frenemies

It’s a lot more kinetically impressive than slithering

… and their travails as they encountered early humans

Just like our primate cousins can read human expressions

Even a robotic rattle scares off predators

They’re as aggressive as chimps, but with more female bullies