Title: Ecology Facts, History & Quizzes | Mental Floss
Open Graph Title: Ecology Facts, History & Quizzes | Mental Floss
X Title: Ecology Facts, History & Quizzes | Mental Floss
Description: Discover fun ecology facts, trivia, and surprising stories on Mental Floss—content that entertains, educates, and satisfies your curiosity.
Open Graph Description: Discover fun ecology facts, trivia, and surprising stories on Mental Floss—content that entertains, educates, and satisfies your curiosity.
X Description: Discover fun ecology facts, trivia, and surprising stories on Mental Floss—content that entertains, educates, and satisfies your curiosity.
Opengraph URL: https://www.mentalfloss.com/science/ecology
Domain: www.mentalfloss.com
{"@context":"http://schema.org","@type":"WebSite","@id":"www.mentalfloss.com","url":"https://www.mentalfloss.com","name":"Mental Floss","description":"Discover fun ecology facts, trivia, and surprising stories on Mental Floss—content that entertains, educates, and satisfies your curiosity.","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Mental Floss","url":"https://www.mentalfloss.com","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/v1541941289/frontier/sites/logos/mental-floss-logo-120px-height.png"}},"inLanguage":"en-US","mainEntity":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/science/ecology","url":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/science/ecology","name":"Ecology Facts, History & Quizzes | Mental Floss","description":"Discover fun ecology facts, trivia, and surprising stories on Mental Floss—content that entertains, educates, and satisfies your curiosity.","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPageElement","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/science/ecology#main-content","name":"Main Content","description":"Discover fun ecology facts, trivia, and surprising stories on Mental Floss—content that entertains, educates, and satisfies your curiosity."}}}
{"@context":"http://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://www.mentalfloss.com"}]}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/science/ecology/how-to-fight-climate-change","headline":"7 Things Everyone Can Do to Help Fight Climate Change","description":"This Earth Day, learn more about how to protect our planet—and the people who live on it.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Eden Gordon"},"datePublished":"2026-04-22T22:00:01Z","dateModified":"2026-04-22T22:00:01Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/science/ecology/how-to-fight-climate-change"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/science/climate-change/climate-change-facts","headline":"6 Facts About Climate Change","description":"Climate change is here—but what does that actually mean?","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Eden Gordon"},"datePublished":"2026-04-20T20:00:01Z","dateModified":"2026-04-20T20:00:01Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/science/climate-change/climate-change-facts"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/ecology/signs-spring-has-arrived","headline":"5 Signs Spring Has Officially Arrived in Nature","description":"From birdsong to bug booms, these are sure signs that spring is here.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Paul Anthony Jones"},"datePublished":"2026-03-27T12:00:05Z","dateModified":"2026-03-27T12:00:05Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/ecology/signs-spring-has-arrived"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/animals/fish/scientists-record-fish-noises","headline":"Fish Can Be Surprisingly Noisy, Eavesdropping Scientists Say","description":"Scientists are finding new ways to listen to fish thanks to technological advancements.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"CaLea Johnson"},"datePublished":"2025-09-22T21:00:02Z","dateModified":"2025-09-22T21:00:02Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/animals/fish/scientists-record-fish-noises"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/animals/yellowstone-wolves-help-aspen-trees","headline":"How the Return of Wolves to Yellowstone Helped Aspen Trees Thrive","description":"A new study shows that reintroducing wolves to Yellowstone sparked a massive comeback for aspen saplings.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"CaLea Johnson"},"datePublished":"2025-08-04T21:32:15Z","dateModified":"2025-08-04T21:32:15Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/animals/yellowstone-wolves-help-aspen-trees"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/animals/marine-animal-body-size-database","headline":"Biologists Launch Most Comprehensive Database of Marine Animal Body Sizes to Date","description":"Scientists have made the first comprehensive marine wildlife size database to help scientists better understand ocean ecosystems.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"CaLea Johnson"},"datePublished":"2025-06-24T16:30:00Z","dateModified":"2025-06-24T16:30:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/animals/marine-animal-body-size-database"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/animals/insects/extinct-monte-gordo-grasshopper-rediscoverd","headline":"‘Extinct’ Monte Gordo Grasshopper Spotted on African Island for First Time in 45 Years","description":"A rare grasshopper once believed to be extinct has been spotted for the first time since 1980—but habitat loss may threaten its future.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"CaLea Johnson"},"datePublished":"2025-05-27T19:01:00Z","dateModified":"2025-05-27T19:01:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/animals/insects/extinct-monte-gordo-grasshopper-rediscoverd"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/science/ecology/why-you-should-not-rake-fall-leaves","headline":"Leave the Leaves: Why Nature Experts Say You Shouldn’t Rake Your Yard This Fall","description":"Good news for anyone who hates raking their lawn: You don’t have to.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Jessica Toomer"},"datePublished":"2024-09-23T18:01:00Z","dateModified":"2024-09-23T18:01:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/science/ecology/why-you-should-not-rake-fall-leaves"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/entertainment/movies/best-eco-horror-movies-1970s","headline":"11 “Eco-Horror” Movies that Shocked the 1970s","description":"Mother Nature can be scary, as these films full of homicidal bunnies, pissed-off piranhas, and one mutated bear prove. ","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Mark Mancini"},"datePublished":"2024-01-09T23:00:00Z","dateModified":"2024-01-09T23:00:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/entertainment/movies/best-eco-horror-movies-1970s"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/science/close-up-photographer-awards-photos","headline":"See 11 Stunning Images From the 4th Annual Close-Up Photographer of the Year Competition","description":"Slime mold definitely had a moment—but it’s hard to beat two dead salamanders floating in a carnivorous plant.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Ellen Gutoskey"},"datePublished":"2023-01-13T23:00:32Z","dateModified":"2023-01-13T23:00:32Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/science/close-up-photographer-awards-photos"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/science/environment/endangered-tree-species-named-after-leonardo-dicaprio","headline":"Meet Leo—A Critically Endangered Tree Species Named After Leonardo DiCaprio","description":"Thanks to Leonardo DiCaprio’s environmental activism, there’s now a critically endangered species named in his honor.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Ellen Gutoskey"},"datePublished":"2022-01-08T11:00:00Z","dateModified":"2022-01-08T11:00:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/science/environment/endangered-tree-species-named-after-leonardo-dicaprio"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/651051/ice-age-facts-the-list-show","headline":"20 Cool Facts About the Ice Age","description":"How many ice ages have there been so far? The same number of ‘Ice Age’ movies that have been released. (Five.)","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Ellen Gutoskey"},"datePublished":"2021-10-07T17:30:00Z","dateModified":"2021-10-07T17:30:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/651051/ice-age-facts-the-list-show"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/geography/maps/interactive-map-shows-important-climate-change-areas","headline":"Which Places Should We Protect First to Stop Climate Change? This Interactive Map Tells You","description":"Certain lands can store large quantities of carbon (though we also need to cut carbon emissions in the first place).","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Ellen Gutoskey"},"datePublished":"2020-10-02T13:30:00Z","dateModified":"2020-10-02T13:30:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/geography/maps/interactive-map-shows-important-climate-change-areas"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/animals/reptiles/report-invasive-tegu-lizards-in-georgia","headline":"Have You Seen This Tegu? These 4-Foot-Long Lizards Are Invading Georgia and Eating Everything in Their Path","description":"Georgia needs your help to prevent the Argentine black and white tegu from becoming a devastating invasive species.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Ellen Gutoskey"},"datePublished":"2020-05-19T11:00:00Z","dateModified":"2020-05-19T11:00:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/animals/reptiles/report-invasive-tegu-lizards-in-georgia"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/science/ecology/forests-vs-woods-vs-jungles-what-is-difference","headline":"What’s the Difference Between Forests, Woods, and Jungles?","description":"The differences between forests, woods, and jungles aren't exactly an apple trees to orange trees kind of comparison.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Ellen Gutoskey"},"datePublished":"2019-11-06T15:00:00Z","dateModified":"2019-11-06T15:00:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/science/ecology/forests-vs-woods-vs-jungles-what-is-difference"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/food/beer/carlsberg-beer-replacing-plastic-rings-with-eco-friendly-glue","headline":"Carlsberg Is Ditching Plastic Rings by Gluing Its Six-Packs Together","description":"The move will save more than 1300 tons of plastic every year.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Shaunacy Ferro"},"datePublished":"2018-09-07T12:30:00Z","dateModified":"2018-09-07T12:30:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/food/beer/carlsberg-beer-replacing-plastic-rings-with-eco-friendly-glue"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/animals/surprising-role-bats-play-making-your-margarita","headline":"The Surprising Role Bats Play in Making Your Margarita","description":"The winged mammals play a vital—albeit little-appreciated—role in agave production.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Shaunacy Ferro"},"datePublished":"2018-05-04T13:30:00Z","dateModified":"2018-05-04T13:30:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/animals/surprising-role-bats-play-making-your-margarita"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/science/ecology/poop-visible-space-helped-scientists-find-remote-supercolony-penguins","headline":"Poop Visible From Space Helped Scientists Find a Remote 'Supercolony' of Penguins","description":"Scientists just discovered 1.5 million penguins living on a chain of remote Antarctic islands, thanks to satellite images of their telltale poop.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Shaunacy Ferro"},"datePublished":"2018-03-02T14:30:00Z","dateModified":"2018-03-02T14:30:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/science/ecology/poop-visible-space-helped-scientists-find-remote-supercolony-penguins"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/science/climate-change/troubling-consequences-vanishing-ice-glacier-national-park","headline":"The Troubling Consequences of the Vanishing Ice at Glacier National Park","description":"The formations that give the park its name could vanish as soon as 13 years from now.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Melissa Gaskill"},"datePublished":"2018-01-26T15:30:00Z","dateModified":"2018-01-26T15:30:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/science/climate-change/troubling-consequences-vanishing-ice-glacier-national-park"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/art/man-made-mountain-finland-serves-11000-tree-time-capsule","headline":"A Man-Made Mountain in Finland Serves as an 11,000-Tree Time Capsule","description":"Between 1992 and 1996, artist Agnes Denes built a mountain.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Shaunacy Ferro"},"datePublished":"2018-01-06T06:00:00Z","dateModified":"2018-01-06T06:00:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/art/man-made-mountain-finland-serves-11000-tree-time-capsule"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/science/biology/what-gmo","headline":"What Is a GMO?","description":"You hear the term tossed about, but what does it really mean?","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Jenny Splitter"},"datePublished":"2017-11-13T13:00:00Z","dateModified":"2017-11-13T13:00:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/science/biology/what-gmo"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/geography/cities/virtual-reality-project-imagines-what-manhattan-sounded-1609","headline":"Virtual Reality Project Imagines What Manhattan Sounded Like in 1609","description":"Calling Thunder juxtaposes the sounds of modern New York City with the sounds of the species that once roamed there.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Shaunacy Ferro"},"datePublished":"2017-04-27T15:30:00Z","dateModified":"2017-04-27T15:30:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/geography/cities/virtual-reality-project-imagines-what-manhattan-sounded-1609"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/science/ecology/arctic-plankton-use-moon-navigate-dark-winters","headline":"Arctic Plankton Use the Moon to Navigate in Dark Winters","description":"During the winter, they switch from a 24-hour day governed by sunlight to a 24.8-hour lunar day governed by the phases of the moon.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Shaunacy Ferro"},"datePublished":"2016-01-11T18:30:00Z","dateModified":"2016-01-11T18:30:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/science/ecology/arctic-plankton-use-moon-navigate-dark-winters"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/animals/cats/cats-invaded-australia-19th-century-study-finds","headline":"Cats Invaded Australia in the 19th Century, Study Finds","description":"A genetic analysis of Australia’s feral cats suggest that cats probably made their way to the continent during the period of European exploration.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Shaunacy Ferro"},"datePublished":"2015-12-07T16:30:00Z","dateModified":"2015-12-07T16:30:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/animals/cats/cats-invaded-australia-19th-century-study-finds"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/technology/robots/why-creepy-things-called-uncanny-valley","headline":"Why Are Creepy Things Called 'Uncanny Valley'?","description":"It might look almost human, but something about it just feels eerie.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Paul Anthony Jones"},"datePublished":"2026-11-09T17:00:01Z","dateModified":"2026-11-09T17:00:01Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/technology/robots/why-creepy-things-called-uncanny-valley"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/science/weather/thanksgiving-weather-forecast-2026-map","headline":"Snow Showers or Sun? The 2026 Thanksgiving Weather Forecast, Mapped","description":"Will snow delay your Thanksgiving travel? Check out the 2026 Farmers' Almanac weather forecast map breakdown for every region in the U.S.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Jenny Cohen"},"datePublished":"2026-11-04T17:00:00Z","dateModified":"2026-11-04T17:00:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/science/weather/thanksgiving-weather-forecast-2026-map"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/science/plants/why-do-leaves-change-color","headline":"Why Do Leaves Change Color?","description":"Leave it to nature to cushion the onset of cold weather with a literal golden lining. In exchange for red ears and runny noses, come fall, we get a sight for so","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Nitya Rao"},"datePublished":"2026-10-29T20:13:49Z","dateModified":"2026-10-29T20:13:49Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/science/plants/why-do-leaves-change-color"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/food/ancient-miracle-wheat-discovery-italian-farmer","headline":"Ancient Italian \"Miracle Wheat\" Found in Attic Could Help Farmers Withstand Drought","description":"An Italian farmer named Claudio Grossi found a mysterious variety of wheat in his attic, and recognized it in a passage in the Bible. His discovery could help farmers build resilience against climate change.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Eden Gordon"},"datePublished":"2026-10-28T19:00:00Z","dateModified":"2026-10-28T19:00:01Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/food/ancient-miracle-wheat-discovery-italian-farmer"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/geography/u-s-locations-biggest-temperature-swings","headline":"The U.S. Locations With the Biggest Recorded Temperature Swings, Ranked","description":"The changes in temperature in a short period of time are truly hard to believe, with Montana having spots in the top three.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Jenny Cohen"},"datePublished":"2026-10-26T18:00:02Z","dateModified":"2026-10-26T18:00:02Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/geography/u-s-locations-biggest-temperature-swings"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/random-facts/why-we-scream-when-scared","headline":"Why Do We Scream When We’re Scared?","description":"A scream is built to cut through every other sound around it, but plenty of people scream when they aren’t scared at all.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Matt Hoffman"},"datePublished":"2026-10-18T16:00:00Z","dateModified":"2026-10-18T16:00:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/random-facts/why-we-scream-when-scared"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/geography/states/how-likely-your-state-have-white-christmas-2026","headline":"How Likely Is Your State to Have a White Christmas in 2026?","description":"And which major city in each state has the best chance of seeing snow on Christmas Day. ","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Logan DeLoye"},"datePublished":"2026-10-15T12:00:00Z","dateModified":"2026-10-15T12:00:01Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/geography/states/how-likely-your-state-have-white-christmas-2026"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/science/weather/snowiest-month-by-state-2026-map","headline":"The Snowiest Month in Every State for 2026, Mapped","description":"Discover the snowiest month in every state, from New Mexico’s December peak to March storms in the West.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Nitya Rao"},"datePublished":"2026-10-14T20:00:01Z","dateModified":"2026-10-14T20:00:01Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/science/weather/snowiest-month-by-state-2026-map"}}
| fb:app_id | 350309542584520 |
| fb:pages | 10974002364 |
| og:site_name | Mental Floss |
| og:image:width | 1440 |
| og:image:height | 810 |
| twitter:url | https://www.mentalfloss.com/science/ecology |
| twitter:card | summary_large_image |
| twitter:image:width | 1440 |
| twitter:image:height | 810 |
| theme-color | #000000 |
| og:type | website |
| og:image | https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/v1541941289/frontier/sites/logos/mental-floss-logo-120px-height.png |
| twitter:image | https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/v1541941289/frontier/sites/logos/mental-floss-logo-120px-height.png |
Links:
Viewport: width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0
Robots: max-image-preview:large