This morning, during my daily graze of news and commentary, I’ve come across some fairly excellent science-themed April Fool’s jokes. But it will take an exceptional hoax to mount a serious challenge to what is arguably the finest science-themed April Fool’s joke of all time, which today celebrates its fifteenth anniversary: the tale of the hotheaded naked ice borer.
Then-Discover-senior-editor, now-contributing-editor, and forever-all-around-good-guy Tim Folger concocted an article detailing the mystery of penguins vanishing from sight, and the discovery of a thermally endowed rodent that melted the ice under their feet and dragged them into their frozen tunnels.
Despite naming the scientist April Pazzo (I mean, come on, people), Tim fooled many a reader, as reflected in the flood of letters we received. You can read the story and some letters here. The beast even has its own Wikipedia page!
In fairness to the fooled, science is often so bizarre, it’s not always easy to distinguish the reality from the hoax. (And fortunately, this morning’s good news about science writer’s Simon Singh’s victory against chiropractors and the ridiculous libel laws of England is no joke.) So far, here the ones I’ve encountered that have made me smile…add you own in the comment thread.
The IUCN’s species of the day: the lion finch.
Catalogue of Organisms describes a new paper recognizing a new group of reptiles–the Gryphi.
The two leading journals, Nature and Science, will merge to form a journal called either Natural Science or Scientific NatureThe two leading journals, Nature and Science, will merge to form a journal called either Natural Science or Scientific NatureThe two leading journals, Nature and Science, will merge to form a journal called either Natural Science or Scientific NatureThe two leading journals, Nature and Science, will merge to form a journal called either Natural Science or Scientific NatureThe two leading journals, Nature and Science, will merge to form a journal called either Natural Science or Scientific NatureThe two leading journals, Nature and Science, will merge to form a journal called either Natural Science or Scientific NatureThe two leading journals, Nature and Science, will merge to form a journal called either Natural Science or Scientific NatureThe two leading journals, Nature and Science, will merge to form a journal called either Natural Science or Scientific Nature.
Go Further
Animals
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- What La Palma's 'lava tubes' tell us about life on other planetsWhat La Palma's 'lava tubes' tell us about life on other planets
- This fungus turns cicadas into zombies who procreate—then dieThis fungus turns cicadas into zombies who procreate—then die
Environment
- The northernmost flower living at the top of the worldThe northernmost flower living at the top of the world
- This floating flower is beautiful—but it's wreaking havoc on NigeriaThis floating flower is beautiful—but it's wreaking havoc on Nigeria
- What the Aral Sea might teach us about life after disasterWhat the Aral Sea might teach us about life after disaster
- What La Palma's 'lava tubes' tell us about life on other planetsWhat La Palma's 'lava tubes' tell us about life on other planets
- How fungi form ‘fairy rings’ and inspire superstitionsHow fungi form ‘fairy rings’ and inspire superstitions
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History & Culture
- These were the real rules of courtship in the ‘Bridgerton’ eraThese were the real rules of courtship in the ‘Bridgerton’ era
- A short history of the Met Gala and its iconic looksA short history of the Met Gala and its iconic looks
Science
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- Why ovaries are so crucial to women’s health and longevityWhy ovaries are so crucial to women’s health and longevity
Travel
- What it's like trekking with the Bedouin on Egypt's Sinai TrailWhat it's like trekking with the Bedouin on Egypt's Sinai Trail