Nature | smithsonianmag.comhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/rss/tag/nature/RSS feed for NatureenThu, 24 Jul 2025 19:44:24 +0000Scientists Feared the World's Smallest Snake Had Gone Extinct. They Just Found It Againhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/scientists-feared-the-worlds-smallest-snake-had-gone-extinct-they-just-found-it-again-180987044/When fully grown, the Barbados threadsnake is only three to four inches long—shorter than many earthwormsThu, 24 Jul 2025 19:44:24 +0000Why Fire Island Has Seen an Explosion of Feral Catshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/why-fire-island-has-seen-an-explosion-in-feral-cats-180986973/In New York’s only federal wilderness area, the loss of a key predator has led to the rise of a new one—with dire consequences for the island’s native birdsWed, 23 Jul 2025 12:00:00 +0000See 15 Photos of Sensational, Slithering Snakeshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/see-15-images-of-sensational-slithering-snakes-180986993/These reptiles often get a bad rap, but there are plenty of reasons to celebrate snakesFri, 18 Jul 2025 16:33:57 +0000As Interest in Deep-Sea Mining Grows, Scientists Raise Alarms About the Possible Ecological Consequenceshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/as-interest-in-deep-sea-mining-grows-scientists-raise-alarms-about-the-possible-ecological-consequences-180987009/Gathering minerals such as nickel, cobalt, manganese and lithium from the seabed could affect everything from sponges to whales. The long-term effects of these extractions remain uncertainFri, 18 Jul 2025 14:09:14 +0000New York City Loft Filled With 280,000 Pounds of Dirt Lives on After Death of Beloved Caretakerhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/new-york-city-loft-filled-with-280000-pounds-of-dirt-lives-on-after-death-of-beloved-caretaker-180986985/Bill Dilworth, who died at age 70, had carefully maintained the curious art installation—known as "The New York City Earth Room"—and charmed visitors since 1989Wed, 16 Jul 2025 14:03:19 +0000The Largest Section of the Beloved Sycamore Gap Tree Is Going on Display in Englandhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/the-largest-section-of-the-beloved-sycamore-gap-tree-is-going-on-display-in-england-180986969/The iconic tree was illegally chopped down in September 2023, but its memory will live on in the form of a new art installation that invites visitors to touch—and even embrace—a piece of its trunkMon, 14 Jul 2025 17:25:12 +0000Why Did a Large Harpy Eagle Attack an Adult Woman?https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/why-did-a-large-harpy-eagle-attack-an-adult-woman-180986932/The incident, which took place in the forest in French Guiana, was an extremely rare occurrenceMon, 14 Jul 2025 12:00:00 +0000Giant Sloths and Many Other Massive Creatures Were Once Common on Our Planet. With Environmental Changes, Such Giants Could Thrive Againhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/giant-sloths-and-many-other-massive-creatures-were-once-common-on-our-planet-with-environmental-changes-such-giants-could-thrive-again-180986941/If large creatures like elephants, giraffes and bison are allowed to thrive, they could alter habitats that allow for the rise of other giantsFri, 11 Jul 2025 12:00:00 +0000See Ten Stunning Images From the International Aerial Photographer of the Year Awardshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/see-15-stunning-images-from-the-international-aerial-photographer-of-the-year-awards-180986952/Breathtaking views of glaciers, volcanoes and animals were celebrated in the competition’s inaugural yearThu, 10 Jul 2025 15:28:30 +0000A Closer Look at the Kestrels, Hedgehogs and Other Wild Animals That Inhabit Romehttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/from-kestrels-to-hedgehogs-a-closer-look-at-all-the-wild-animals-that-inhabit-rome-180986889/From antiquity to modern times, the city has been rife with creatures that creep, slither, scurry and nest among its pillars and palacesMon, 07 Jul 2025 12:00:00 +0000Southern Hemisphere Gull Seen in Wisconsin for the First Time, Drawing Tourists for a Rare Glimpse of the Out-of-Place Birdhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/southern-hemisphere-gull-seen-in-wisconsin-for-the-first-time-drawing-tourists-for-a-rare-glimpse-of-the-out-of-place-bird-180986918/The vagrant kelp gull mated with a local herring gull, though the chick did not survive. Experts say it's a "complete mystery" how the bird came to nest so far north in the first placeWed, 02 Jul 2025 15:40:32 +0000In a Milestone for Manhattan, a Pair of Coyotes Has Made Central Park Their Homehttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/in-a-milestone-for-manhattan-a-pair-of-coyotes-has-made-central-park-their-home-180986892/For six years, two photographers have carefully followed the canines and documented their secret livesMon, 30 Jun 2025 12:00:00 +0000Ten Stunning Nature Photos From the BigPicture 2025https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/ten-stunning-nature-photos-from-the-big-picture-2025-180986835/From the beautiful to the bizarre, this annual photographic showcase shines a light on some of our planet’s most breathtaking species and placesFri, 27 Jun 2025 12:00:00 +0000After Crocs and Lemurs Went Extinct on the Mainland, Many Survived on Islands for Millions of Yearshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/after-crocs-and-lemurs-went-extinct-on-the-mainland-many-survived-on-islands-for-millions-of-years-180986875/Isolation allows creatures to thrive as their relatives perish due to the threats present on much larger landmassesWed, 25 Jun 2025 14:24:27 +0000Explore the History of the Planet With David Attenborough at This New Immersive Experience in Londonhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/explore-the-history-of-the-planet-with-david-attenborough-at-this-new-immersive-experience-in-london-180986836/"Our Story With David Attenborough" at the Natural History Museum is a 50-minute program that explores humankind's role in the planet's ongoing storyFri, 20 Jun 2025 20:52:36 +0000These Sandhill Cranes Have Adopted a Canada Gosling, and Birders Have Flocked to Watch the Strange Familyhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/these-sandhill-cranes-have-adopted-a-canadian-gosling-and-birders-have-flocked-to-watch-the-strange-family-180986828/Ornithologists and locals wonder what the future holds for this chick being raised by much taller, but still doting parentsWed, 18 Jun 2025 12:00:00 +0000Why Has This North Carolina Town Embraced a Strange Salamander?https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/why-has-this-north-carolina-town-embraced-a-strange-salamander-180986824/The city of Boone has put a giant mural of the eastern hellbender downtown and its residents often imbibe a local Hazy IPA named after the amphibianMon, 16 Jun 2025 19:43:09 +0000Carnivorous Plants Have Been Trapping Animals for Millions of Years. So Why Have They Never Grown Larger?https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/carnivorous-plants-have-been-trapping-animals-for-millions-of-years-so-why-have-they-never-grown-larger-180986708/Plants that feed on meat and animal droppings have evolved at least ten times through evolutionary historyFri, 06 Jun 2025 12:00:00 +0000These Tiny, Beautiful Fossils Detail the History of the Oceanhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/these-tiny-beautiful-fossils-detail-the-history-of-the-ocean-180986718/Bountiful remains of foraminifera reveal how organisms responded to climate disturbances of the pastThu, 05 Jun 2025 12:00:00 +0000These Asian Bears Were Cut Open for Their Bile. Here's What's Being Done to Rehabilitate Themhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/inside-the-formidable-effort-to-rehabilitate-bears-harmed-by-bile-farming-in-asia-180986688/Veterinarians in Vietnam perform surgeries, prepare special diets and craft recovery routines for moon bears to give them a better lifeWed, 04 Jun 2025 18:03:14 +0000See Soaring Sunflowers and Radiant Roses That Bring Vincent van Gogh's Paintings to Lifehttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/see-soaring-sunflowers-and-radiant-roses-that-bring-vincent-van-goghs-paintings-to-life-180986672/Featuring 18,000 plants and works by three contemporary artists, a new exhibition at the New York Botanical Garden celebrates the Dutch painter's love of natureTue, 03 Jun 2025 15:09:30 +0000