Wild Things: Life as We Know It
Orchids, Baboons, Ancient Reptiles and More…
![Hammerhead shark](https://th-thumbnailer.cdn-si-edu.com/EllX0qMBg8bYGjcwRAD_Bh8VbLs=/1000x750/filters:no_upscale()/https://tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer/WildThings-hammerhead-shark-631.jpg)
Hot-Blooded Reptiles
![Stenopterygius quadriscissus](https://th-thumbnailer.cdn-si-edu.com/j4cJHMxTo0v9kFsF1UWsfbukqAo=/800x0/filters:no_upscale()/https://tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer/WildThings-Stenopterygius-quadriscissus-1.jpg)
Orchid Betrayal
![The Dracula orchid](https://th-thumbnailer.cdn-si-edu.com/CeOZ24CWKJ5q7agT8IkchhNV_Ec=/800x0/filters:no_upscale()/https://tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer/WildThings-The-Dracula-orchid-2.jpg)
Learn more about dracula orchids at the Encyclopedia of Life.
Gals With Pals Live Longer
![Chacma baboons](https://th-thumbnailer.cdn-si-edu.com/HVI3a8nFzHOUE8AjKIMdvREDJVc=/800x0/filters:no_upscale()/https://tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer/WildThings-chacma-baboons-3.jpg)
Learn more about baboons at the Encyclopedia of Life.
Sharks Smell In Stereo
![Hammerhead shark](https://th-thumbnailer.cdn-si-edu.com/rFzE4w9XVwsJIbuegT7LAN7_cag=/800x0/filters:no_upscale()/https://tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer/WildThings-hammerhead-shark-4.jpg)
Learn more about hammerhead sharks at the Encyclopedia of Life.
Learn more about dogfish at the Encyclopedia of Life.
Observed
![House finches](https://th-thumbnailer.cdn-si-edu.com/Hh0UACWDYI4gNrEU9TRwO4UycR8=/800x0/filters:no_upscale()/https://tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer/WildThings-house-finch-5.jpg)
Color Counts: Males’ plumage ranges from pale yellow to deep red, and females find males at the red end of the spectrum most attractive.
But Context Matters: Yellowish males try to make themselves look better by hanging out with males that are even yellower, according to a study from the University of Arizona.
And Sometimes Wins: Yellowish or orangish males that changed their social context “had nearly the same success in attracting females as did the most colorful males,” says co-author Kevin Oh. In other words, an individual male’s social networking can overcome a physical disadvantage.
Learn more about house finches at the Encyclopedia of Life.