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Twisteddoodles on distribution graphs (with added cats)

This week's cartoon from Twisteddoodles

Title: Polar Bear on Sperm Whale Credit: ?? Roie Galitz Caption: A female polar bear feeds on a sperm whale carcass in the polar pack ice north of the Norwegian archipelago, Svalbard. 82?? North, International Waters, 8 July 2025. Story: Polar bears are primarily seal predators, but as ice retreats in the summer and hunting becomes harder, they increasingly rely on opportunistic scavenging. Near Svalbard, the ice-free season has lengthened by 20 weeks in the last 30 years. Sperm whales typically avoid ice-covered polar waters, so this carcass was a rare sight. Scientists speculate that after dying, the male sperm whale drifted north, carried by winds and currents. The photographer spent two days observing the scene from a small boat, capturing it by drone to reveal a scale difficult to grasp from sea level.

Stunning image of a polar bear with an outsized snack wins major award

Expedition member Chris Blakeley in the entrance to the northernmost known cave on the Wulff Land Peninsula

Earth

Exploring the world’s northernmost caves – in pictures

What is the optimal way to ice a cocktail?

e Harvest Moon due to its association with autumn harvests in the Northern Hemisphere. Credit: nidpor/Alamy Live News

What changes will occur on Earth as the moon moves further away? part 2

At what point does my family tree stop doubling and start decreasing? part 2

Lola the cat

This week’s new questions

Comment

Does shapewear make us less prone to taking risks? Weirdly, maybe yes

Tom Gauld on failed science clip art

Twisteddoodles on how to handle memes featuring medical symptoms

This week's cartoon from Twisteddoodles

Environment

Prize-winning image highlights precarious position of mangrove forests

Comment

The mathematics of balloon animals

At what point does my family tree stop doubling and start decreasing?

How does my energy use differ if I walk, jog or run for 1 kilometre?