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
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
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
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
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
After Crocs and Lemurs Went Extinct on the Mainland, Many Survived on Islands for Millions of Years
Isolation allows creatures to thrive as their relatives perish due to the threats present on much larger landmasses
In South Africa, a Smart Gate Could Help Connect Elephants’ Fragmented Habitat
An unlikely quartet’s clever contraption may allow the pachyderms to make better use of their range
How Do I Research Ancestors Who Sailed to America in the 1600s? And More Questions From Our Readers
You’ve got questions. We’ve got experts
This Majestic Monkey Has Become a Beloved Neighbor for Millions in Vietnam
For the critically endangered red-shanked douc, proximity to an urban center has had surprising benefits
These Sandhill Cranes Have Adopted a Canada Gosling, and Birders Have Flocked to Watch the Strange Family
Ornithologists and locals wonder what the future holds for this chick being raised by much taller, but still doting parents
Why Has This North Carolina Town Embraced a Strange Salamander?
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 amphibian
How Worm-Inspired Treatments Are Inching Their Way Toward the Clinic
Infection by certain wrigglers may reduce inflammation and fight obesity and diabetes. Scientists are working to turn the findings into therapies
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