Why Have Birds Never Gotten as Big as T. Rex?
Even the most massive birds have never reached the sizes of their dinosaur relatives
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Why Fire Island Has Seen an Explosion of Feral Cats
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 birds
Meet Ten Tyrannosaurs That Came Before T. Rex, From Small, Feathery Creatures to 30-Foot-Long Bone-Crushers
Everyone knows the famous tyrant lizard king, but its relatives amaze, too
A New Generation of Tiny Tracking Tags Offers a Fresh Look at the Lives of Little Fish
Researchers at the Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have developed a tag the size of a grain of rice that can also work underwater
Smithsonian Photo Contest Galleries
See 15 Photos of Sensational, Slithering Snakes
These reptiles often get a bad rap, but there are plenty of reasons to celebrate snakes
As Interest in Deep-Sea Mining Grows, Scientists Raise Alarms About the Possible Ecological Consequences
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 uncertain
How Cancer Research for Dogs Is Helping Improve Treatment for Pets and Humans Alike
Canine and human cancers bear many similarities, and studies on dogs are helping advance care for our furry friends and for us
Why Did a Large Harpy Eagle Attack an Adult Woman?
The incident, which took place in the forest in French Guiana, was an extremely rare occurrence
Giant Sloths and Many Other Massive Creatures Were Once Common on Our Planet. With Environmental Changes, Such Giants Could Thrive Again
If large creatures like elephants, giraffes and bison are allowed to thrive, they could alter habitats that allow for the rise of other giants
Seven Mysteries You Can Explore in America’s National Parks
From unexplained phenomena to baffling disappearances, follow the clues while discovering our country’s treasured protected areas
How Underwater Archaeology Brings Secrets to the Surface, From Lost Shipwrecks to Submerged Cities
An immersive new exhibition at the Intrepid Museum in New York City spotlights the science and technology behind the discipline
Why Are So Many More Women Being Diagnosed With ADHD?
Experts once thought ADHD was something only boys experienced. The research is finally starting to catch up with reality
A Closer Look at the Kestrels, Hedgehogs and Other Wild Animals That Inhabit Rome
From antiquity to modern times, the city has been rife with creatures that creep, slither, scurry and nest among its pillars and palaces
With Space Junk on the Rise, Is a Catastrophic Event Inevitable?
Debris from rockets and satellites can fall back to Earth or collide with other objects, and wreckage that burns up can harm the ozone layer
Can a Medical Device Restore Your Balance?
Nearly two million people worldwide have lost the simple ability to feel steady. Now researchers have developed an experimental medical implant that promises to restore the sensory machinery responsible for balance
In a Milestone for Manhattan, a Pair of Coyotes Has Made Central Park Their Home
For six years, two photographers have carefully followed the canines and documented their secret lives
Smithsonian Photo Contest Galleries
Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of ‘Jaws’ With 15 Shark Snapshots
The classic thriller might discourage you from getting in the water, so check out these sensational shark images from the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest instead
Ten Stunning Nature Photos From the BigPicture 2025
From the beautiful to the bizarre, this annual photographic showcase shines a light on some of our planet’s most breathtaking species and places
Scientists Are Tracking Worrying Declines in Insects—and the Birds That Feast on Them. Here’s What’s Being Done to Save Them Both
In Vermont, researchers have investigated the types of creepy, crawly bugs that their avian predators consume and may have found the answers to keeping them both alive
Scientists Are Just Beginning to Understand How Life Makes Clouds, and Their Discoveries May Drastically Improve Climate Science
Plants, plankton and sea spray all release elements that help the atmospheric blankets form
Can the Redfish, That Gulf Coast Culinary Icon, Be Brought Back From the Brink?
The Cajun cooking craze nearly wiped out the species native to Louisiana, but conservation stemmed the tide. Now the fish faces new threats
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