Multi-Species Canopy Latrines in Costa Rican Cloud Forests

The fact that an estimated 50% to 90% of forest terrestrial life exists in the canopy lives rent free in my head. I get bothered when people write off sloths the way they write off pandas. They clearly have an extremely intricate relationship with this barely understood world above our heads

If you learned about the human microbiome and that we (sometimes) have more germs in our bodies than our own cells—you probably got a strong feeling that this must be an extremely important aspect of our biology that has largely gone unconsidered. Well imagine if you literally grew algae, fungi, bacteria, and even MOTHS on your fur

Ecological adaptations that cross the boundary between the macro- and micro- animal world have been a big blindspot for western science and I'm excited to see more attention and effort finally allotted to these parts of nature

We have much to learn from canopy latrines. For example, unlike these noble creatures of the rain forest, my dog struggles to properly use a bidet. Maybe if I put it on the roof it might all finally come together.

In all seriousness though, what a life for these researchers, climbing trees and checking shit.

It has been known for a while that a wide range of land animals use shared latrines. There are signs that they act as a kind of billboard that lets all around rate activity levels, check on big players in the area, and smell the spread of disease. That this pattern is present above the land makes it an extremely common adaptation.

I love this kind of shit