Magma Rise Sparked Life as We Know It?
May 23, 2012
Oxygen-breathing life exists on Earth today because of changes in the planet's magma 2.5 billion years ago, a new study says.
Photos: Volcanic Vents, Crawling With Creatures, Found in Mexico Sea
May 23, 2012
Crawling with tube worms and crabs, the hydrothermal vents are the first found in the Gulf of California, scientists report.
Can Sugar Make You Stupid? "High Concern" in Wake of Rat Study
May 22, 2012
Bingeing on fructose stunted memory and learning in rats, prompting "high concern" over unhealthy humans.
Fossil Ink Sacs Yield Jurassic Pigment—A First
May 21, 2012
Still soft ink sacs from 160-million-year-old squidlike animals have yielded pigment matching that of modern cuttlefish.
Giant Killer Mice Decimating Rare Seabirds
May 21, 2012
Oversize house mice are consuming millions of endangered Atlantic petrels on the bird's only known breeding area, a new study says.
Slow-Mo Microbes Still Living off Dino-era "Lunch Box"
May 17, 2012
Buried for 86 million years, a bacterial community lives so slugglishly it's still surviving on a "lunch box" from dino days, a new study says.
Pictures: Elephant Underpass Reuniting Kenya Herds
May 16, 2012
A corridor beneath a busy highway in northern Kenya is helping isolated elephant populations reunite, conservationists say.
Prehistoric "Panda" Found in Spain—Giant Panda Has European Roots?
May 14, 2012
A small fossil bear recently identified in Spain suggests China's giant panda has European roots, a new study says.
Runner's High Hardwired in People—And Dogs
May 10, 2012
The pleasurable sensation known as "runner's high" may have motivated human and canine ancestors to build endurance, a new study says.
Biggest Crocodile Found—Fossil Species Ate Humans Whole?
May 8, 2012
The 27-foot-long predator may have ambushed early humans in what's now Kenya, a new study says.
Pictures: Ancient Pygmy Pipehorse Species Found
May 8, 2012
Fossils of a new species of pygmy pipehorse, a tiny relative of the seahorse, have been unearthed in Slovenia.
"Zombie Ant" Fungus Under Attack—By Another Fungus
May 4, 2012
Besieged by a fungus that takes over their brains then erupts from their heads, rain forest ants have an unlikely ally—another fungus.
Pictures We Love: Best of April
May 4, 2012
From hippo dental care to hammer time—see National Geographic photo editors' favorite news pictures from last month.
Pictures: 24 New Caribbean Lizards Found
May 3, 2012
The unexpectedly large crop of Caribbean skinks is already at risk of extinction, a new study says.
Pictures: New "Rebel" Coelacanth Found
May 2, 2012
The unusual predator was built to do "everything a coelacanth should not do," its discoverers say.
Glowing Pygmy Shark Lights Up to Fade Away
April 30, 2012
In what may sound like soggy logic, the smalleye pygmy shark hides in the dark by lighting up, a new study says.
Best Underwater Pictures: Winners of 2012 Amateur Contest
April 27, 2012
From the ocean's biggest fish to tiny sea slugs with big color, the stars of an annual contest help reveal "the ocean through other eyes."
White Killer Whale Spotted—Only One in the World?
April 25, 2012
Iceberg the Orca may be the only known all-white adult killer whale, and his strange skin color remains a mystery.
New Species: Bumblebee Gecko Strikingly Striped
April 23, 2012
The latest buzz in reptiledom—a strikingly striped lizard—comes from a little-explored Pacific island.
Fish Glow Green After Genetic Engineering
April 23, 2012
A genetically engineered fish that glows green from the inside out is helping illuminate what pollutants do inside the body.
Photos: Oldest Reptile Embryos Discovered
April 17, 2012
New reptile fossils may show both the earliest evidence of live birth and of parental care, a new study says.
Emperor Penguins Counted From Space—A First
April 13, 2012
New satellite images show the population of emperor penguins in Antarctica has doubled since 1992, scientists report.
"Strawberry" Leopard Discovered—A First
April 12, 2012
The rare South Africa leopard probably has erythrism, a condition that causes a pinkish coat, experts say.
Drug-Resistant Bacteria Found in 4-Million-Year-Old Cave
April 11, 2012
Deep in an ancient New Mexico cave, scientists have discovered nearly a hundred types of bacteria that can fight modern antibiotics.
Pictures: New Suckermouth Armored Catfish Discovered
April 10, 2012
An "unusual" species of catfish likely uses its "suckermouth" to scrape algae off rocks, a new study says.
One-Ton Feathered Dinosaur Found: Fluffy and Fierce
April 4, 2012
About as long as a bus but downy soft in chicklike plumage, Yutyrannus is by far the biggest feathered dinosaur yet, a new study says.
"Lost" Long-Fingered Frog Found in Africa
April 3, 2012
In a handy stroke of luck, scientists have rediscovered a "lost" African species: the Bururi long-fingered frog.
Bizarre "King of Wasps" Found in Indonesia
March 27, 2012
Males of the venomous wasps have large, spiked jaws, perhaps to protect young, a new study says.
Whales Have Sonar "Beam" for Targeting Prey
March 23, 2012
Precision sound "beams" let whales focus on fast prey in the dark ocean, a new study says.
Viking Invaders Brought Armies of Mice
March 21, 2012
Vikings who conquered new lands unwittingly brought with them another sort of invader: mice, a new study says.
Pictures: Glowing Blue Waves Explained
March 19, 2012
Glittering or flashing seas have long been linked to marine microbes—and now scientists think they know how the life-forms create light.
"Hot Bee Balls" Cook Enemy Hornets—But How Do Bees Endure the Heat?
March 16, 2012
Japanese honeybees swarm to cook enemy hornets, but how do they survive the heat themselves? A new brain study may have the answer.
Giant Squid's Basketball-Size Eyes Have Sperm Whale Vision
March 15, 2012
Colossal and giant squid eyes—the world's biggest—seem to have a "superpower" Captain Ahab might have killed for: sperm whale vision.
Crocodiles Have Strongest Bite Ever Measured, Hands-on Tests Show
March 15, 2012
An "extraordinary" new study—based on treacherous hands-on measurements—suggests crocs are "force-generating machines" rivaling T. rex.
New Horned Dinosaurs Found—Among Littlest Known
March 13, 2012
The mini plant-eaters—including one with a neck frill and a hatchet-shaped jaw—roamed then balmy Alberta, Canada, a new study says.
Spiderwebs Blanket Countryside After Australian Floods (Pictures)
March 7, 2012
Spiders trying to ride out floods in Wagga Wagga, Australia, are coating the town in thick webs.
"Cute" Tropical Camels: Prehistoric Species Found in Panama
March 6, 2012
Two new species of tiny, tropical camels with croc-like snouts have been found in Panama, a new study says.
Photos: Pictures of the Year Announced
March 5, 2012
See this year's winners of the global photo contest that aims to "empower the world's best documentary photography."
Spiny, Venomous New Sea Snake Discovered—"Something Special"
March 2, 2012
Mysteriously covered in spiny scales, the snake was hauled from risky seas: "The only question is which animal would kill us."
Pictures We Love: Best of February
March 1, 2012
See the pictures we love, as chosen by National Geographic photo editors—from gravity-defying fighters to a "flaming" caterpillar.
T. Rex Bite Strongest Ever on Land—Ten Times Greater Than Gator's
February 28, 2012
The dinosaur chomped with ten times the force of an alligator, a new study says—but something in the sea was even stronger.
Giant Prehistoric Penguins Revealed: Big but Skinny
February 27, 2012
Scientists finally have the skinny on two extinct species of tall, "svelte" penguins that lived in New Zealand, a new study says.
Strange New Leaf-Nosed Bat Found in Vietnam
February 24, 2012
Despite an onslaught of leeches, scientists have uncovered a new bat species whose face bristles with leaf-like protrusions.
Huge Swarm of Gelatinous Sea Creatures Imaged in 3-D
February 23, 2012
Scientists have created a new 3-D picture of a giant swarm of tiny gelatinous sea creatures off Australia.
Pictures: New Amphibians Without Arms or Legs Discovered
February 21, 2012
They aren't worms or even snakes. They're burrowing, limbless amphibians, and they're completely new to science, a new study suggests.
Why Some Poison Frogs Taste Bittersweet When Licked
February 17, 2012
It's a discovery perhaps only a frog-licking scientist could make: Toxic frogs secrete sugars and bile acids in addition to their poisons.
Pictures: Miniature Chameleons Discovered—Fit on Match Tip
February 15, 2012
Four new chameleon species found in Madagascar—some tiny enough to fit on a match tip—are among the smallest known reptiles.
Best News Pictures of 2011: World Press Winners
February 15, 2012
See the painterly picture that won this year's World Press Photo Contest—plus a cliff-climbing polar bear, a record-breaking cave, and more.
Pictures: Shark Swallows Another Shark Whole
February 13, 2012
Divers on Australia's Great Barrier Reef recently snapped rare pictures of a wobbegong, or carpet shark, swallowing a bamboo shark whole.
Life on Earth Began on Land, Not in Sea?
February 13, 2012
The first cellular life on Earth probably arose in vats of volcanic mud akin to Darwin's idea of a "warm little pond," a new study says.
Shark-Attack Deaths Highest in 19 Years—Travel Trends to Blame?
February 13, 2012
U.S. fatalities down, possibly due to economic downturn.
"Vampire" Parasite Found Entombed in Amber
February 10, 2012
The first known fossil of a rare bloodsucker called the bat fly has been found in 20-million-year-old amber, a new study reports.
Zebra Stripes Evolved to Repel Bloodsuckers?
February 9, 2012
Stripes may do more than help zebras hide in tall grass—the pattern may scramble the vision of bloodsucking horseflies.
Pictures: Bird Mummies "Fed" After Death, Stuffed With Snails
February 7, 2012
Some of the millions of ancient Egyptian ibis mummies were "fed" after death, scans reveal—the better to live the afterlife.
Oldest Animal Discovered—Earliest Ancestor of Us All?
February 7, 2012
Could 760-million-year-old African "sponges" be humankind's earliest known ancestors?
Guinea Pigs Were Widespread as Elizabethan Pets
February 7, 2012
The tiny South American rodents were bred as pets throughout 16th- and 17th-century Europe, a new study suggests.
Pictures: "Supergiant," Shrimp-Like Beasts Found in Deep Sea
February 6, 2012
"It's a mystery" why giant, shrimp-like animals found off New Zealand are nearly three times larger than other amphipods, experts say.
Elephants Took 24 Million Generations to Evolve From Mouse-Size
February 3, 2012
For mammals, evolving into bigger sizes takes a lot longer than shrinking, new evolution study shows.
Groundhog Day 2012: Punxsutawney Phil's Forecast Is In
February 2, 2012
Early spring or long winter? "Immortal" rodent Punxsutawney Phil has made his forecast. Get the odd facts behind Groundhog Day 2012.
Groundhog Day 2012: Behind Phil's Immortal Allure
February 1, 2012
With ancient origins, "immortal" rodent Punxsutawney Phil rules Groundhog Day 2012. Get the surprising facts behind winter's wackiest U.S. weather prediction.
Prehistoric "Shield"-Headed Croc Found
February 1, 2012
A fossil croc sporting an odd head "shield" has been found in Morocco, paleontologists say.
Pictures We Love: Best of January
February 1, 2012
See the pictures we love, as chosen by National Geographic photo editors—from a too plush penguin to a pantsless pedestrian.
Pythons Eating Through Everglades Mammals at "Astonishing" Rate?
January 30, 2012
Invasive Burmese pythons are likely behind "dramatic" declines of the swamp's mammals—from rabbits to bobcats—new research suggests.
Near-Extinct Monkeys Found in Colombian Park
January 27, 2012
A new population of one of the world's rarest primates has been found in a Colombian park, conservationists announced today.
New-Species Pictures: Cowboy Frog, Armored Catfish Among Finds
January 25, 2012
A cowboy frog, eye-licking gecko, and "Crayola" katydid are among new and known species found in a Suriname rain forest.
Pictures: "Extinct" Monkeys With Sideburns Found in Borneo
January 20, 2012
The Miller's grizzled langur, a rare monkey species with bristly sideburns, has been "rediscovered" in a forest in northeastern Borneo, a new study says.
First Pictures: Live Snub-Nosed Monkeys Caught on Camera
January 13, 2012
For the first time, the rare Asian species—nicknamed "Snubby"—has been photographed alive in the wild, conservationists say.
Sharks Eating Songbirds in Gulf of Mexico
January 13, 2012
Land birds disoriented by oil-rig lights are becoming food for tiger sharks in the Gulf of Mexico, a new study says.
"White," Albino-like Penguin Found in Antarctica
January 12, 2012
Spotted by tourists in Antarctica, the rare bird has a genetic mutation that dilutes feather pigments.
Pictures: Brainless, Faceless "Fish" Among Scottish Sea Finds
January 12, 2012
See a "fish" without a face, "dancing" feather stars, and huge mussels—all found during recent surveys of Scottish marine life.
World's Smallest Frog Found—Fly-Size Beast Is Tiniest Vertebrate
January 11, 2012
No bigger than a housefly, the new species is the smallest known animal with a backbone, a new study says.
Pictures: Deepest Ocean Vents Swarm With Heat-Vision Shrimp?
January 11, 2012
The world's deepest volcanic ocean vents—three miles down in the Caribbean—swarm with shrimp that may have heat vision, experts say.
Worm-Eating Plant Found—Kills via Underground Leaves
January 10, 2012
A Brazilian plant uses sticky underground leaves to trap roundworms, a new study says.
Cajun Crayfish Invading Africa, Eating Native Species
January 9, 2012
A popular U.S. crayfish with a voracious appetite is wreaking havoc on African plants and animals, scientists say.
Baby Harp Seals Being Drowned, Crushed Amid Melting Ice
January 6, 2012
As global warming melts Arctic sea ice, harp seal babies are dying in record numbers, the first study of its kind confirms.
"Virgin Birth" Record Broken by Hotel Shark
January 6, 2012
A zebra shark at the "world's most luxurious hotel" has experienced four straight years of reproductive success—no male required.
Old Mice Made "Young"—May Lead to Anti-Aging Treatments
January 6, 2012
Aging mice injected with stem cells lived three times as long, according to findings one scientist found initially unbelievable.
Fish Mimics Octopus That Mimics Fish
January 5, 2012
For the first time, a jawfish has been caught one-upping a marine master of disguise (with video).
"Lost World" of Odd Species Found Off Antarctica (Pictures)
January 4, 2012
Swarms of yeti crabs and a ghostly octopus are among the new species spotted near hydrothermal vents, a new study says.
Hybrid Silkworms Spin Spider Silk—A First
January 4, 2012
Strong hybrid silk may someday be used to make parachutes and artificial limbs, a new study says.
Pictures: New Horned Viper Found in "Secret" Spot
December 30, 2011
A big, "beautiful" snake with olive-green eyes has been discovered in a remote forest in Tanzania, scientists say.
"Rapier Wielding" Shark Among New Species Found in 2011
December 28, 2011
Four new shark species—including a "rapier wielding" sawshark—were discovered in 2011 by California Academy of Sciences researchers.
Wild Gorillas Groom U.S. Tourist in Uganda
December 28, 2011
A tourist's encounter with gorillas in Uganda has become an Internet sensation—and a reminder of the pros and cons of wildlife tourism.
Best Travel Pictures of 2011 Named
December 23, 2011
Playful wolves, an iceberg climber, and a curious beluga are highlights of the 2011 Travel Photographer of the Year competition.
Top Ten Discoveries of 2011: Nat Geo News's Most Popular
December 20, 2011
An Earth-like planet and the biggest great white shark are among National Geographic News's most visited coverage of 2011 discoveries.
Small Spiders Have Big Brains That Spill Into Their Legs
December 19, 2011
Tiny spiders have such huge brains for their body sizes that the organs can spill into the animals' body cavities, a new study shows.
Best Pictures: Nat Geo Photo Contest Winners, 2011
December 19, 2011
From a rain-pelted dragonfly to a double rainbow over Indonesia, see the winning shots of the 2011 National Geographic Photo Contest.
Smallest Frogs Found—Each Tinier Than an M&M
December 15, 2011
Two new species of frog—each smaller than an M&M—have been discovered in Papua New Guinea, a new study says.
Photos: "Elvis Monkey," Cloning Lizard Among New Mekong Species
December 14, 2011
Meet a monkey with a Presleyan pompadour, a cloning lizard found on a menu, and other new species recently found in the Mekong region.
Walking Began Underwater, Strolling-Fish Discovery Suggests
December 13, 2011
Look Ma, no feet! The first walkers may well have been full-on fish, say experts who've seen a prehistoric-like fish walk underwater.
Three-Foot "Shrimp" Had More Than 30,000 Lenses Per Eye?
December 12, 2011
The ancient superpredator may have had more than 30,000 lenses in each eye, granting the animal enhanced eyesight, a new study says.
Pictures: National Geographic's Top Ten Discoveries
December 8, 2011
To mark the National Geographic Society's 10,000th grant, Society experts have named Nat Geo's top grant projects since 1890.
Pictures: Prehistoric Whale "Graveyard" Found in Desert
December 7, 2011
In what's now Chilean desert, 20 whales died five million years ago. Experts are brushing away sands of time to find out why.
Pictures: "Lost" Leopard—And Poachers—Seen in Afghanistan
December 6, 2011
Camera traps have revealed a leopard thought locally extinct in Afghanistan, along with other big predators—and a pair of poachers.
"Yeti" Crabs Farm Food on Own Claws—A First
December 2, 2011
The deep-sea crabs farm bacteria on their furry arms as the crustaceans' main sources of food, scientists have discovered.
Best News Pictures of 2011: Your Picks From Nat Geo News
December 2, 2011
Japan's tsunami aftermath, an Area 51 spy plane, and a huge crocodile feature among the most viewed Nat Geo News photo galleries of 2011.
Wasps Can Recognize Faces
December 2, 2011
Paper wasps may discern faces to keep the peace in complex colonies, a new study suggests.
Pictures We Love: Best of November
December 1, 2011
See National Geographic photo editors' favorite news pictures of the month—a "flying" rhino, an up-close eruption, and more.
"Ocean" Creatures That Evolved in Huge Lake Under Threat
December 1, 2011
Jellyfish, snails, and other creatures in Lake Tanganyika may be at risk due to overfishing, pollution, and more, conservationists say.
Pictures: "Gorgeous" Dinosaur Nest Found Full of Babies
November 29, 2011
A nest full of dinosaur babies—fossilized in their "last, bug-eyed, terrified minutes"—suggests Protoceratops parents nurtured their young.
Ten Weirdest Life-forms of 2011: Editors' Picks
November 28, 2011
A cyclops shark, a demon bat, and an albino spider are among National Geographic News's picks for the year's weirdest new life-forms.
"Great Dying" Lasted 200,000 Years
November 23, 2011
Wildfires and disappearing oxygen helped kill off 90 percent of all life some 252 million years ago—and fast, a new study says.
Thanksgiving 2011 Myths and Facts
November 22, 2011
Before the big dinner, debunk the myths—for starters, the first "real" Thanksgiving wasn't until the 1800s—and get to the roots of Thanksgiving 2011.
Oldest Antarctic Whale Found; Shows Fast Evolution
November 16, 2011
The oldest known whale to ply the Antarctic may suggest whales evolved faster than thought, researchers say.
Hundreds of Orangutans Killed Annually for Meat
November 15, 2011
Hundreds of Bornean orangutans are hunted each year in Indonesia for food or to eliminate threats to crops, a new study says.
Photos: "Dramatic" Elephant Rescue in Zambia
November 11, 2011
A mother elephant and her baby mired in mud were recently saved by a fast-acting team in Zambia.
Prehistoric "Shield"-Headed Croc Found
November 9, 2011
A fossil croc sporting an odd head "shield" has been found in Morocco, paleontologists say.
Pictures: Rare Black Rhinos Airlifted to Safety
November 9, 2011
In an "amazing" sight, 19 black rhinoceroses in South Africa recently traveled by helicopter to a protected reserve, conservationists say.
New "Albino" Spider Found in Australia
November 8, 2011
A new species of spider with an unusual white head has shocked scientists in Australia.
Entire Mammal Genus on Brink of Extinction
November 8, 2011
For the first time in 75 years, an entire genus of mammal may go the way of the dodo—unless a new sanctuary succeeds, conservationists say.
Coyote-Wolf Hybrids Have Spread Across U.S. East
November 7, 2011
Coyotes with wolf DNA have been found in Virginia, confirming the hybrids’ spread through the mid-Atlantic, a new study says.
Pictures: Best Wild Animal Photos of 2011 Announced
November 2, 2011
Sparring cocks and a curious fox feature in some of the year's best wild-animal pictures, according to the results of a U.K.-based contest.
Pictures We Love: Best of October
October 31, 2011
See National Geographic photo editors' favorite news pictures of the month—a lightning-filled eruption, a bubbly beluga, and more.
Javan Rhino Extinct in Mainland Asia
October 28, 2011
The Javan rhino is extinct in mainland Asia, leaving just one small population in Indonesia, conservationists announced this week.
New Shark-Fin Pictures Reveal Ocean "Strip Mining"
October 28, 2011
Pictures taken by the Pew Environment Group in Taiwan suggest that fishers are "strip mining" the oceans of sharks, conservationists say.
Python Hearts Double in Size—Now We Know Why
October 27, 2011
High levels of fats in the snakes' blood balloons their organs after breaking a long fast, experiments show.
Halloween Pictures: 9 Spooky New Species Found This Year
October 27, 2011
From a Beelzebub bat to a vampire flying frog-see Halloween-worthy species that crept from the shadows into the scientific limelight.
Best Evidence Yet for Dinosaur Migrations—Teeth Tell Tale
October 27, 2011
New tooth analysis provides the best evidence yet that dinosaurs migrated like modern-day birds and elephants, scientists say.
Pictures: Best Environmental Photos of 2011 Named
October 27, 2011
See whales, penguins, fire, and fighting hummingbirds in winning pictures of this year's Environmental Photographer of the Year contest.
Giant "Amoebas" Found in Deepest Place on Earth
October 26, 2011
For the first time, huge single-celled creatures have been spotted in the Mariana Trench, the deepest part of Earth's oceans.
Jaguar Pictures: Record Big-Cat Numbers Spotted in Bolivia
October 24, 2011
Camera traps recently helped conservationists identify 19 jaguars in a national park—a record number for a single survey in the country.
Photos: Speared Mastodon Bone Hints at Earlier Americans
October 21, 2011
A spear tip in a mastodon rib hints that an unknown North American culture was killing big game a thousand years before the famed Clovis culture.
Should the Ohio Exotic Animals Have Been Shot?
October 20, 2011
The shooting of tigers, lions, and monkeys in Ohio raises new questions about the growing number of exotic animals kept as pets in the U.S.
Pictures: Lucky Few Exotic Animals Saved From Ohio Shootings
October 20, 2011
After shootings killed dozens of lions, tigers, and other freed exotic animals in Ohio, six are safe in a nearby zoo on Thursday.
Pictures: How Bubble-Rafting Snails Evolved
October 19, 2011
Scientists have cracked an evolutionary mystery: How did some snails come to "surf" the oceans on mucus-bubble rafts?
Oldest Tiger-like Skull Yet—Hints Evolution Got It Right From Start
October 18, 2011
A two-million-year-old mini-tiger's skull is "surprisingly similar" to modern tigers', experts say.
Male Spiders Give "Back Rubs" to Seduce Their Mates
October 18, 2011
When a male Nephila pilipes wants to get busy without getting eaten, he gives his mate a massage, new research shows.
Seaweed's "Chemical Weapons" Killing Corals
October 17, 2011
Some seaweeds are waging "chemical warfare" on coral reefs in Fiji—and possibly around the world, a new study says.
How Do Giant Pandas Survive on Bamboo Diets?
October 17, 2011
Panda poop has offered scientists clues to how the iconic bears keep high-fiber diets when they have the guts of carnivores.
Pictures: Baby Gorilla Rescued in Armed Sting Operation
October 14, 2011
After an armed, undercover operation freed him from a poacher's backpack, an orphan gorilla is beginning the long road to recovery.
Pictures: Rare "Cyclops" Shark Found
October 13, 2011
A one-eyed fetus whose mother was caught by a fisher is one of only a few sharks with a documented case of cyclopia, new research says.
Piranhas Bark—Three Fierce Vocalizations Deciphered
October 13, 2011
The fierce fish can be excellent communicators, though their "talk" ranges from "go away" to "no, really, go away," experts have found.
New Zealand Oil Spill Pictures: Beaches, Birds Coated
October 11, 2011
See beaches and birds blackened with oil after a ship ran aground off New Zealand in the country's worst environmental disaster at sea.
Kraken Sea Monster Account "Bizarre and Miraculous"
October 11, 2011
An artistic kraken—a giant squid-like sea monster—is said to be behind a fossil graveyard. Critics call the find "fun" but "implausible."
Armadillo Invasion: Warm-Weather Critters Expanding East
October 7, 2011
Long a denizen of the U.S. West, the adaptable, fast-breeding armadillo is expanding its range north and east, scientists say.
Huge New Dinosaur Trackway Found in U.S.
October 7, 2011
Spanning two football fields, the footprints of dinosaurs "stomping in the mud" hint that a giant predator was a bit pigeon-toed.
Pictures: Best Micro-Photos of 2011
October 6, 2011
From mini insect "monsters" to solar cells-turned-abstract art—see the best microphotos chosen in the annual Small World photo competition.
Pictures We Love: Best of September
September 30, 2011
See National Geographic photo editors' favorite news pictures of the month--a tool-using octopus, a giant typhoon wave, and more.
Bats Have Superfast Muscles—A Mammal First
September 29, 2011
Holy bat buzz, Batman—a new study shows the night flyers are the first known mammals with superfast muscles.
New Life-Forms Found at Bottom of Dead Sea
September 28, 2011
New life-forms have been found living in freshwater springs at the otherwise barren bottom of the Dead Sea, new research shows.
Best Wildlife Pictures: British Nature Awards 2011
September 27, 2011
From a yawning fox to a glowing jellyfish, see judges' top picks for the 2011 British Wildlife Photography Awards.
Pictures: Crocodile, Bat Fossils Found in Underwater Cave
September 27, 2011
Ancient remains of crocodiles, monkeys, and bats have been found remarkably well preserved in the Dominican Republic's freshwater caves.
Pictures: Ancient Chariot Fleet, Horses Unearthed in China
September 27, 2011
Hailing from China's "heyday of chariot warfare," five well-preserved chariots and accompanying horses have emerged from an urban tomb.
New Raptor Dinosaur Used Giant Claw to Pin, Slash Prey?
September 21, 2011
Talk about a lucky break—paleontologists have found fossils of a new raptor dinosaur species that had a telling injury, a new study says.
Squid Males "Bisexual"—Evolved Shot-in-the-Dark Mating Strategy
September 20, 2011
In the dark ocean depths, male squid looking for "love" will mate with other males just as much as with females, a new study says.
Sharks' Virus Killer Could Cure Humans, Study Suggests
September 19, 2011
Sharks carry a "remarkable" substance that stops viruses—a discovery that may lead to new antivirals for humans, a new study says.
Pictures: Meowing Night Frog, Other New Species Found
September 16, 2011
Twelve new species of night frogs—plus three "lost" species—have been discovered in western India, a new study says.
Giant Prehistoric Croc Found Near World's Biggest Snake
September 16, 2011
A fish-eating crocodile relative may have battled the world's largest snake in what's now Colombia, a new study suggests.
New Dolphin Species Discovered in Big City Harbor
September 16, 2011
An entirely new species of dolphin has been discovered in the shadows of Australian skyscrapers, scientists say.
Pictures: "Incredible" Dinosaur Feathers Found in Amber
September 16, 2011
Prehistoric dinosaur and bird feathers, perfectly preserved in amber, are shedding light on the evolution of feather form and function.
Ancient Toothy Fish Found in Arctic—Giant Prowled Rivers
September 12, 2011
A new species of giant carnivorous fish that lived 375 million years ago has been discovered in the Canadian Arctic, scientists say.
Pictures: "Demon" Bat, Other New Tube-Nosed Species Found
September 9, 2011
A creature with diabolic coloring is one of three new species of tube-nosed bat discovered in Southeast Asia, a new study says.
Oldest Shark Nursery Found—Predators Lived in Lakes?
September 9, 2011
The oldest known shark nursery has been found in an ancient lake bed in Kyrgyzstan, a new study says.
How "Zombie" Virus Liquifies Caterpillar Hosts
September 8, 2011
Scientists have identified a single gene that helps a caterpillar-brainwashing virus do its dirty work, a new study says.
Pictures: Biggest Crocodile Ever Caught?
September 6, 2011
An allegedly 21-foot saltwater crocodile captured alive in the Philippines could be the biggest known croc—but some experts are skeptical.
Pictures: "Walking" Fish a Model of Evolution in Action
September 1, 2011
The first close look at the Pacific leaping blenny may offer clues to how ancient fish first made the transition to land, a new study says.
New Shark Species Found in Food Market
September 1, 2011
Trolling a Taiwan fish market for data, fish scientists reeled in a surprising catch—a deepwater shark unknown to science.
Pictures We Love: Best of August
September 1, 2011
See National Geographic photo editors' favorite news pictures of the month—an invisible man, sardine "storm," Swiss daredevil, and more.
First New U.S. Bird Species in Decades—Already Extinct?
August 30, 2011
A new bird species has been found in the U.S. for the first time in decades—but the species may have already flown the coop for good.
Early Daddy Longlegs Revealed in 3-D—Bugs Evolved Little
August 26, 2011
New 3-D models show that the spiderlike creatures have changed little in 305 million years, experts say.
Dino-era Mammal the "Jurassic Mother" of Us All?
August 24, 2011
Dug up from the dinosaur era, a shrew-like fossil is the oldest known mammal that gave birth to mature, live young, a new study says.
86 Percent of Earth's Species Still Unknown?
August 24, 2011
Even after centuries of effort, some 86 percent of Earth's 8.7 million species have yet to be fully described, a new study says.
Elephant Makes a Stool—First Known Aha Moment for Species
August 19, 2011
In a burst of insight, an elephant made a plan and then put it into action—putting his species in a new IQ league, experts suggest.
Pictures: Baby Gorilla Rescued From Poachers
August 19, 2011
Found curled on a jail bed by vets, young Luck is in safe hands after being rescued from poachers in Rwanda, conservationists say.
Ancient Dog Skull Shows Early Pet Domestication
August 19, 2011
A 33,000-year-old canine found in a Russian cave is the most well-preserved example of how wolves became dogs, a new study says.
Elephant Pictures: Killed Female Highlights Poaching Rise
August 17, 2011
The recent killing of an adult female highlights the worst poaching rates seen in years in Kenya's Samburu National Reserve, experts say.
Cloned Fathers Mate With Insect Daughters—From Inside
August 17, 2011
Insect females have begun developing internal clones of their fathers, which fertilize the females eggs—which could end males altogether.
Fanged-Frog Pictures: 9 New Species Found
August 16, 2011
Nine new species of frogs with "fangs" were discovered on a recent expedition to Indonesia, scientists say.
Camera-Trap Pictures: Mammals—And a Poacher—Exposed
August 16, 2011
The first global camera-trap mammal study has imaged apes, jaguars, and other mammals—including a seemingly camera-shy poacher.
Pictures: Best Marine Park? Booming Fish Leap and Swarm
August 15, 2011
From leaping rays to lazy sea lions—the "extraordinary recovery" in a Mexican marine reserve makes it Earth's most robust, experts say.
Small Squid Have Bigger Sperm—And Their Own Sex Position
August 15, 2011
"Sneaker" males' sperm has evolved for a second female reproductive reservoir, reserved just for them, a new study says.
"Sea Monster" Fetus Found—Proof Plesiosaurs Had Live Young?
August 11, 2011
Like most mammals, giant, dinosaur-era marine reptiles gave birth to live young, a new fossil study hints. But did the monsters mother?
Sexually Showy Male Birds Finish Early
August 10, 2011
Live fast, age fast—at least if you're a male houbara bustard. A new study shows that sperm quality declines earlier in showy suitors.
Why Giant Bugs Once Roamed the Earth
August 9, 2011
Dragonflies the size of modern birds ruled 300 million years ago because smaller larvae were at risk of oxygen toxicity, a new study hints.
Major Deep-Sea Smokers Found—"Evolution in Overdrive"
August 8, 2011
A hotbed of "evolution in overdrive" the newfound volcanic vent field, which teems with odd animals, is a North Atlantic first.
How Smart Are Planet's Apes? 7 Intelligence Milestones
August 5, 2011
They're not Rise of the Planet of the Apes smart, but they're no dummies. See how apes use their heads—possibly better than humans sometimes.
Vampire Bats Have Vein Sensors
August 3, 2011
Here's a finding that might make your blood run cold—vampire bats have specially evolved nerves that can sense the heat of your veins.
Spiky Rat Uses Plant Poison to Turn Its Hair Deadly
August 3, 2011
An African rat chews poison bark, then wears the deadly drool—making the rodent the first animal known to apply external lethal poison.
Parasite Creating Deformed Frogs in Western U.S.
August 3, 2011
Amphibians with "sick and twisted" deformities remain widespread in the U.S. West, and pollution may be making it worse, new research says.
Pictures: U.S. Frogs Deformed by Parasite Infections
August 3, 2011
See how a parasite passed from snail to frog in the western U.S. can cause "grotesque" malformations such as extra hind limbs.
Pictures: Wasps Turn Ladybugs Into Flailing "Zombies"
August 2, 2011
A parasitic wasp "brainwashes" ladybugs into hosting and then aggressively defending the wasp's developing larvae, a new study says.
"Spectacular" Three-Cat Monolith Unearthed in Mexico
August 1, 2011
The "spectacular" monolith may have been part of an ancient monumental wall crawling with felines.
Pictures: Rare Antelope, Big Cats Caught by Camera Trap
August 1, 2011
Camera traps set up in a little studied Kenyan forest have revealed an extremely rare antelope, several big cats, an elephant, and more.
Pictures We Love: Best of July
July 28, 2011
Slimy seas, stormy skies, a bull's ear—National Geographic photo editors eye the month's best new pictures and find ten favorites.
Bats Drawn to Plant via "Echo Beacon"
July 28, 2011
A Cuban plant that depends on bat pollination evolved a special leaf that acts as an "amp" for bats' sonar, new research says.
Pictures: New Shrews Found in Indonesia
July 27, 2011
Up to four new species of unusual shrews that live partly in trees have been found in an isolated Indonesian jungle, scientists say.
"Extinct" Toad Thrives in Lab
July 22, 2011
A tiny Tanzanian toad that all but disappeared after a dam reduced its waterfall habitat is being bred successfully in Syracuse, New York. Video.
Pictures: Hundreds of Rare Gibbons Found in Vietnam
July 21, 2011
More than 400 endangered northern white-cheeked gibbons have been discovered in a Vietnam park, conservationists say.
Longest Polar Bear Swim Recorded—426 Miles Straight
July 20, 2011
A polar bear has swam a record nine days straight, covering the distance between Washington, D.C., and Boston, a new study says.
Ancient Wasps Roosted in Rotting Dinosaur Eggs?
July 19, 2011
Eight sausage-shaped cocoons from Argentina may be the first proof of bugs feasting on dinosaur eggs, experts say.
Snails Survive Being Eaten by Birds—A Mystery
July 19, 2011
Tiny snails can travel through a bird's digestive tract and mysteriously emerge perfectly healthy, a new study says.
First Pictures: Snow Leopards Rebounding in Afghanistan
July 18, 2011
A surprisingly healthy population of snow leopards is prowling the mountains of Afghanistan, new camera-trap pictures reveal.
Rainbow Toad Rediscovered, Photographed for First Time
July 14, 2011
After 87 years, an "extinct," toxic toad has been rediscovered in the jungles of Southeast Asia.
New Bent-Toed Gecko Found in "Lost World"
July 13, 2011
With characteristic curling toes, the new lizard emerged from the nighttime forests of Indonesia's "lost world" mountains.
First Pictures: Wild Fish Uses Tool
July 13, 2011
A fish off Australia has been seen bashing open shellfish with a rock—making it the first known wild fish observed using tools.
New Pit Viper Found—One of World's Smallest
July 13, 2011
Dubbed a "surprise gift" by scientists, a new snake species found in China is one of the littlest pit vipers in the world.
Pictures: Largest "Sea Monster" Skull Revealed?
July 12, 2011
An ancient marine reptile with eight-foot jaws packed the biggest bite in history—and may be a new species, scientists suggest.
Afghanistan Bright Spot: Wildlife Thriving in War Zones
July 12, 2011
Surprisingly, Afghanistan's bears, wolves, and big cats have survived decades of war—but they're not out of the woods yet, conservationists say.
Pictures: Prehistoric Eyes Found—Surprisingly Advanced
July 11, 2011
Surrounded by creepy-crawlies, the 500-million-year-old fly-like eyes are surprisingly advanced and are likely from a shrimplike predator.
World's Loudest Animals—Bug With "Singing" Penis, More
July 11, 2011
From an insect with "singing" genitals to frogs as loud as lawnmowers, see which species are the noisiest known to science.
Pictures We Love: Best of June
June 30, 2011
So good we had to share—ten new images that gripped Nat Geo photo editors: "supertrees," an upside-down horse, a surfer on ice, and more.
"Exceptional" Giant Squid Found Dying off Florida
June 30, 2011
A stirring, intact giant squid gave a fishing party a shock this week—and could give researchers new insights, scientists say.
Hold the Champagne: Highway to Split Serengeti After All?
June 28, 2011
Were the hopeful headlines—"Serengeti Highway Canned: Victory for Animals!"—premature? Wildlife is still at risk, some experts say.
Pictures: "Pancake" Sea Slug Among New Philippines Species
June 28, 2011
An "inflatable" shark and colorful sea slugs join hundreds of new species hauled up during a recent expedition to the Philippines.
Pictures: Thousands of New Species Found in New Guinea
June 27, 2011
A snub-fin dolphin and a blue-eyed possum are among more than a thousand new species
Animals News-3
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