Why Have European Wolves Recovered So Much in the Past Decade?
The predators have increased by almost 60 percent on the continent
As Norway Considers Deep-Sea Mining, a Rich History of Ocean Conservation Decisions May Inform How the Country Acts
In the past, scientists, industry and government have worked together in surprising, tense and fruitful ways
Why Does This Endangered Butterfly Thrive After Hurricanes?
For Schaus’ swallowtail butterflies, the powerful storms mean clear skies and bright futures
From Massive Eyes to Shark-Like Tails, Seven Amazing Adaptations That Helped Prehistoric Reptiles Thrive at Sea
The creatures cruised the world’s oceans with features we often associate with marine mammals, such as coats of blubber and the ability to birth live young
Thousands of Giant Tortoises Anchor a Thriving Ecosystem on Aldabra, a Remote Atoll in the Indian Ocean
The animals graze the vegetation into a picturesque turf, fertilize the soil with their dung and disperse seeds over large distances
A Revealing Look Into the Surprisingly Tricky Sex Lives of Birds
Even among the most durable migratory bird pairings, sexual exclusivity is rarely part of their relationship
You Might Think of Shrimp as Bugs of the Sea. But a Remarkable Discovery Shows the Opposite: Bugs Are Actually Shrimp of the Land
A recent study suggests that insects branched out from crustaceans on the tree of life
Ten Exceptional Ancient Elephants, From Small Swimming Creatures to Shovel-Tusked Beasts
A wide variety of the exotic animals evolved on Earth over the past 60 million years
Smithsonian Photo Contest Galleries
See Fantastic Frogs in 15 Fun Photographs
Hop through these images from the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest
The Swarm of People Intent on Saving Our Bees
An army of experts and citizen scientists devoted to documenting and protecting the country’s native bees is telling us a lot about the hidden lives of these insects
This Intrepid Team of Bee Lovers Are Doing Everything They Can to Save Rare Native Species From Extinction
Iridescent sweat bees, hairy-faced mining bees, tiny Perdita minima the size of a gnat. Thanks to swarms of apiary enthusiasts, native species are finally getting the buzz they deserve
Nine New Tardigrade Species Discovered Thanks to the Efforts of Danish Schoolchildren
The budding scientists collected the tiny water bears in a massive citizen science project that involved almost 30,000 participants
Tiny Antarctic Krill Benefit the Planet in Big Ways, but Face a Barrage of Threats
The bountiful creatures sequester carbon and are a vital food source for marine predators, but their future is uncertain
Smithsonian Photo Contest Galleries
See Magnificent Monkeys From Around the World in These Shots From the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest
You don’t have to swing from treetops to get a close-up look at these curious creatures
Inside the Herculean Effort to Study and Save the World’s Smallest Sea Turtle
After years of steady gains, a decades-long conservation program dedicated to the Kemp’s ridley hits rough seas
See Stunning Illustrations of Prehistoric Life From One of the Most Renowned Paleoartists in the World
A new book highlights the beautiful work of Jay Matternes, an accomplished artist who drew everything from mammoths to early humans
How a Fragile Insect Living 100 Million Years Ago Becomes a Fossil
A bug, a dinosaur and a tree intersect, creating the perfect conditions for resin to capture a moment in time
Will the Traditional Chinese Medicine Industry End the Pangolin?
The creature is being trafficked across Africa and Asia to fuel a steady demand for their scales, an ingredient in unproven remedies
Can a Small Town’s Protections for Albino Squirrels Inspire Other Cities to Guard Wildlife Against Cats?
Olney, Illinois, has taken steps to protect an iconic mammal from domesticated felines, setting a possible model for other places to follow
14 Fun Facts About Lovebirds, From Their Lifelong Devotion to Surprising Aggression
The cuddly, colorful parrots have become a symbol of Valentine’s Day. Here’s what to know about the famously affectionate birds
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