National Geographic | National Geographic

National Geographic

ONE ANIMAL’S TRASH IS ANOTHER ONE’S HOME

Wednesday, July 26, 2023

In today’s newsletter, we discover an entire ecosystem living in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, ask if human empathy is in a deficit, learn more about copperhead snake bites ... and discover how a prehistoric female hunter upended gender role assumptions.

Janthina janthina, also known as the violet snail, constructs rafts of bubble-filled mucus to stay afloat.

PHOTOGRAPH BY DENIS RIEK

A dynamic group of sea life, like above violet snail, has made their home in an area dubbed the Great Pacific Garbage Patch—the biggest cluster of floating marine debris in the world.

Creatures that float near the surface suffuse the rubbish in much greater quantities than ever realized. What other life exists in this garbage island? And what does it say about our use (and disposal) of plastic?

LIFE SUSTAINED BY TRASH?

Unlock this article with Nat Geo Premium! Get access now to exclusive stories, plus a century of archives, photos, and videos. See subscription options starting at just $19/yr.

STORIES WE’RE FOLLOWING

a laughing crowd of teenage boys throws another boy into a pond

PHOTOGRAPH BY KIRN VINTAGE STOCK, CORBIS VIA GETTY IMAGES

If you’ve felt like people are getting crueler, you may be right. (Above, a laughing crowd of teenage boys throws another boy into a pond)

DNA study deepens mystery of lake full of skeletons

Was Napoleon Bonaparte a ‘good’ dictator?

How did Death Valley gets its name? Not from the heat.

Omega-3s are more critical for your health than we thought

What is the Feast of the Seven Fishes?

What you need to know about copperhead snake bites

Iceland has entered a new volcanic era

How did iconic composer Antonio Vivaldi go from superstar musical genius to has-been icon?

Prehistoric female hunter discovery upends gender role assumptions

WHAT IN THE WORLD?

The American bison roaming the National Elk Refuge in Wyoming

PHOTOGRAPH BY CHARLIE HAMILTON JAMES, NAT GEO IMAGE COLLECTION

What’s in a name? Moths or butterflies. Bison (above) or buffalo. Possum or opossum. Do you know the reason behind different names behind similar-looking animals?

A. Climate
B. Creature habits
C. Bad spellers

CLICK FOR THE ANSWER

PHOTO OF THE DAY

red mangroves in Belize

PHOTOGRAPH BY BRIAN J. SKERRY, NAT GEO IMAGE COLLECTION

They can do it all: Mangroves can stabilize coastlines against erosion and cleanse toxins from waters. They act as a nursery for birds, fish, shellfish, and sharks by providing food, shade, and protection from predators, tidal surges, and heat. On this International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem, these protectors need protection. (Above, red mangroves in Belize.)

Related: Can restoring mangroves protect Miami from rising seas?
Understanding the invaluable purpose of mangrove forests
Growing up in Ecuador’s mystical mangroves

WHO’S A GOOD BOY??

Sharon Dippel hugs a retired greyhound that she adopted in Florida. With fewer shelter and rescue dogs available, some dog owners may want to consider buying dogs from responsible breeders who prioritize health and temperament.

PHOTOGRAPH BY ERIKA LARSEN, NAT GEO IMAGE COLLECTION

You're a good boyyyy: One of the main reasons Americans relinquish their dogs to shelters is due to behavior problems—so some dog breeders are looking past coat color and size and focusing on health and friendliness. (Above, a woman hugs a retired greyhound that she adopted in Florida.)

Today’s soundtrack: Closer to Fine, Indigo Girls

This newsletter has been curated and edited by Jen Tse, Hannah Farrow, Nancy San Martín, and David Beard. Want to say hello? We'd love to hear from you: [email protected]. Thanks for reading!

Clicking on the Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and National Geographic Channel links will take you away from our National Geographic Partners site where different terms of use and privacy policy apply.

This email was sent to: [email protected]. Please do not reply to this email as this address is not monitored.

This email contains an advertisement from:
National Geographic | 1145 17th Street, N.W. | Washington, D.C. 20036

Stop all types of future commercial email from National Geographic regarding its products, services, or experiences.

Manage all email preferences with the Walt Disney Family of Companies.

© 2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC, All rights reserved.