Richard Conniff

Wanted, Dead or Alive

When scientists go scavenging at a bioblitz, anything they can find that's organic is considered fair game

April 2000

Class Dismissed

Being a member of the British aristocracy these days isn't exactly a dog's life, but it's no bed of roses

December 1, 1999

Relax, It's Only a Piranha

Never mind its savage reputation. The piranha is a pussycat— most of the time

June 30, 1999

Crash, Slam, Boom!

The demolition derby is an American institution— or something like that

January 1, 1999

Christmas Laundry

Deck the halls with sheets and folly

December 1, 1998

The Enemy Within

Termites are covert destroyers. You don't hear them or see them until they come swarming out of the woodwork on their spectacular mating flight

September 30, 1998

Fire Deportment

July 1997

You Can Call Him 'Cute' or You Can Call Him 'Hungry'

The much-maligned weasel is always on the lookout for something to eat, and the rest of us should be grateful he usually finds it

February 1, 1997

How I Stuck My 'Hand' In a Fire Ant Mound For Television and Glory

January 1997

What's in a Name? Sometimes More Than Meets the Eye

Jokes, puns, even insults — when it comes to deciding what to call newly discovered species, scientists don't always go by the book

December 1, 1996

You're Buying It, You Better Make Sure It's What You Want'

If that 'treasure' you acquire at one of Uncle Sam's auctions turns out to be a pig in a poke, you'll have only yourself to blame

October 1996

Dragonflies Are an Odd Combination of Beautiful Things

Don't be misled by their dainty appearance. These ornaments of summer are aggressive predators, amazing fliers and bizarre suitors

July 1996

Clyde Roper Can't Wait to Be Attacked by a Giant Squid

After studying (and eating) smaller squid for years, the Smithsonian's cephalopod man is now ready to face the biggest calamari of all

May 1996

When it comes to moths, nature pulls out all the stops

Cross-dressing, sucking blood, spitting poison: moths do such crazy things, it's no wonder researchers stay up all night studying them

February 1996

It Comes Out Only Once a Week, But the Sun Never Sets

Can a weekly paper in rural New Mexico raise enough hell to keep its readers hungry for more, issue after issue? Don't ask

October 1995

My Dog Has Fleas, Also My Cat, My Bird, My...

These tiny prehistoric parasites have evolved a bold array of weapons, the better to torture their hosts

July 1995

Frederick Douglass Always Knew He Was Meant to Be Free

Taking to the podium throughout his life,the former slave fought with tireless eloquenceto "secure the Blessings of Liberty" for all

February 1995