WILDLIFE
The weird world of
slime mould
Strange organisms are thriving on the floors of Australia’s wet temperate forests…and they’re a lot smarter than they look.
Slime moulds are primitive, single-celled organisms that
live mostly in moist terrestrial habitats.
They feed on bacteria, fungi and decaying organic matter.
The behaviour of slime moulds can be as odd as their appearance.
Time-lapse photography has shown it pulsating in the direction of food.
Slime moulds also appear to get ‘smarter’ as they get bigger.
In 2016 scientists discovered that slime moulds are able to pass on learnt behaviour.
This allows them to speed up the journey to find food.
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