Welcome to the first edition of Nature Unseen exploring tiny wildlife wonders up close!

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Hello Deep Look and Science Fans, Welcome to the first edition of our new Nature Unseen newsletter! Growing up in California, I always loved redwood trees. But as a kid I had no idea there were fern mats up in those tall treetops that supported all kinds of life. And I certainly didn’t know that an intrepid little creature, the wandering salamander (Aneides vagrans) could spend its entire life up in a redwood tree, skydiving (yes, you read that right) as needed! When I found out about new research into wandering salamanders a couple of years back, I knew I HAD to make this story. Now it’s your turn to take a dive – into this week’s newsletter – to learn about these masters of skydiving. You’ll never look at a redwood tree the same way again! Mimi Schiffman, Deep Look Producer IN THIS ISSUE Wandering Salamanders Video | Cool Salamander Facts | Play: Name That Critter | Science Stories You'll Love | Join Us on Patreon DEEP LOOK VIDEO Watch Salamanders Skydive! Photo: Will Goldenberg When a hungry bird comes near them, wandering salamanders can jump off the tallest trees in the world, California's coast redwoods, skydiving to a safe branch. Researchers decided to put them in a wind tunnel to investigate their daring moves in slow motion. Photo: Will Goldenberg The researchers found out how salamanders use their tails to navigate, and that their toes help them stick their landing. Watch Now SPONSORED BY Stanford Law School This year marks the 12th anniversary of the Bright Award, Stanford’s highest environmental prize given to individuals all around the world who are dedicating their careers to increasing sustainability and conservation. Learn about this year’s Bright Award recipient Rodrigo Botero Garcia, environmental activist in Colombia, here. DEEP FACTS Wandering Salamander Wonders Photo: Will Goldenberg 🌲It can live approximately 20 years, high up in redwood trees. ✈️Its specialty is “skydiving” from branch to branch to evade predators. 🧭After it leaps, this salamander controls its direction in the air with its tail. 🛶 It can dip its foot into the airstream, like a paddle in a canoe, to change course in flight. 👣To stick its landing, it uses its flexible feet which turn into grippy claws after impact. PLAY Name That Critter What amazing animal is known for having feet that seem to stick to any surface? Find out the answer at the bottom of this newsletter. Photo: Josh Cassidy/KQED DEEP LINKS Science Stories You'll Love Photo: Courtesy of Schmidt Ocean Institute KQED SCIENCE Take a Look at New Species of Marine Life Discovered by Bay Area Scientists Schmidt Ocean Institute oceanographers have discovered 20 possible new species of ocean life, including flying spaghetti monsters, a rare squid, and a ghostly white Casper octopus. KQED SCIENCE Whale Sightings Surge Around the Bay Area, Stirring Up a Frenzy on Facebook Social media groups like Pacifica Whalespotting have blown up in recent weeks as an increasing number of whales are showing off close to shore. KQED SCIENCE Glittering Tides: Where to Spot Bioluminescence in the Bay Area Here's the science behind bioluminescence, and where you can see it for yourself in the Bay Area. NPR A Photographer Captures Life in America’s Last Remaining Old-Growth Forests From salamanders and salmon to bears and mountain lions, David Herasimtschuk's images illustrate not only the beauty of the forests and their creatures but the symbiotic relationships that are vital to the forests’ health and the planet’s welfare. JOIN US ON PATREON Get More Exclusive Content Become a DEEP LOOK Patreon Member today to help us with our mission to give everyone a deeper understanding of science and nature - especially about the living organisms too small to easily see with the naked eye. Just like out in the wild, everyone has a role to play. Support Deep Look on Patreon We hope you enjoyed this week’s newsletter. Thank you for your support! Until next week! - The Deep Look Team Deep Look is KQED’s award-winning wildlife video series that reveals the tiny dramas playing out in the natural world. We’re a member-supported YouTube series from KQED and PBS Digital Studios. Learn more. Did you enjoy this newsletter? ★︎ ★︎ ★︎ ★︎ ★︎ ★︎ ★︎ ★︎ ★︎ ★︎ ★︎ ★︎ ★︎ ★︎ ★︎ ★︎ ★︎ ★︎ ★︎ ★︎ Submit What do you think about the new look of our newsletter? Let us know by replying directly to this email. Interactive Email Form Submit ANSWER TO NAME THAT CRITTER A gecko! No suction cups, no Velcro, no glue. Geckos navigate nearly any surface with something far cooler: an electron dance at the atomic scale. Find out more in our video Gecko Grip: It’s Atomic (Really). GIF: A close-up of the foot of a Sikora’s leaf-tailed gecko (Uroplatus sikorae) is shown walking on a branch at the California Academy of Sciences.

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