Animals

New Research

Today’s Smooth-Running Horses May Owe Their Genetics to the Vikings

Scientists have determined the likely origin for the “gaitkeeper” gene, which controls gaitedness in horses

August 8, 2016

Future of Conservation

How Climate Change Will Transform the National Parks’ Iconic Animals and Plants

Dramatic changes may force park managers to choose which species will live, and which will die

August 8, 2016

New Research

The Indochinese Leopard Is Down to Just a Few Lives

These threatened cats now occupy just 8 percent of their historic range in Cambodia, new population estimate finds

August 4, 2016

Trending Today

EU Releases Its First Invasive Species Blacklist

Gray squirrels, raccoons and crayfish were among the prohibited species

August 3, 2016

Rare Wolf or Common Coyote? It Shouldn’t Matter, But It Does

The concept of species is flawed, but it still has a huge bearing on conservation policy

August 3, 2016

New Research

Solving a Mystery of Mammoth Proportions

Dwindling freshwater sealed the demise of the St. Paul woolly mammoths, and could still pose a threat today

August 2, 2016

When Frogs Pull the Curtain: The Benefits of Mating in Secret

Smithsonian’s new curator of frogs explains why some frogs seek privacy when they mate

August 1, 2016

These Sleek, Sexy Cars Were All Inspired By Fish

You’ve heard about the Stingray, but what about the Bionic Boxfish?

July 29, 2016

Trending Today

Protesters Prevent Chinese Museum From Evicting a Family of Cats

The furry family is famous on the internet

July 29, 2016

New Research

Bulldogs Are Dangerously Unhealthy, But There May Not Be Enough Diversity in Their Genes to Save Them

How we loved this dog into a genetic bind

July 29, 2016

Cool Finds

Track the Whereabouts of This Rare White Whale on Twitter

These beautiful creatures have long delighted those lucky enough to catch a glimpse

July 28, 2016

Trending Today

Watch the Chincoteague Ponies Complete Their 91st Annual Swim

For nine decades, the local fire department has herded the horses from Assateague to Chincoteague Island to auction off the foals

July 27, 2016

Meet SwagBot, the Robot Cowboy That Can Herd and Monitor Cattle On Its Own

University of Sydney engineers have developed a four-wheeled robot to keep tabs on massive farms in Australia’s outback

July 26, 2016

Forced Closer to Humans, Crocodiles Face Their Greatest Existential Threat

These armored reptiles have long been considered indestructible, but new threats are shifting the equation

July 26, 2016

Trending Today

For Kiwis’ Sake New Zealand Declares War on Rats

The country unveils an ambitious plan to protect its national bird

July 25, 2016

New Research

Why the Turtle Grew a Shell—It’s More Than Safety

Its armor may have developed for more than safety

July 22, 2016

New Research

Forget Bees: This Bird Has the Sweetest Deal With Honey-Seeking Humans

The effectiveness of the honeyguide call sheds light on why this golden relationship has stuck around so long

July 21, 2016

Chew on This: Powerful Jaws Fueled a Jurassic Herbivore Boom

Teeth, not flowers, might be the key to the duckbills’ success

July 21, 2016

New Research

Study Shows Primates Prefer a Little Booze With Their Nectar

Two prosimian primates, the aye-aye and slow loris, show a preference for sugar-water with a higher alcohol content

July 20, 2016

Move Over, Madagascar: This Island Has the World’s Greatest Concentration of Unique Mammals

The majority of them are found nowhere else on Earth, making Luzon a biological treasure trove

July 15, 2016