Trampling Skews Artifact Dates by Thousands of Years?
September 29, 2010
Sorry, archaeologists. A new study says animal footsteps might have made artifacts seem thousands of years older than they are.
Best Environmental Photos of 2010 Named
September 29, 2010
See a hummingbird-viper face-off, swarm of devil rays, and more in these winning images from a conservation group's global photo contest.
Pictures: "Bizarre" New Tailless Whip Scorpions Found
September 28, 2010
Four new species of ''peculiar,'' spider-like creatures with spine-studded appendages have been discovered in Borneo caves, a new study says.
Photos: Poison Crab, Glass Shrimp, More Found in Korea
September 27, 2010
See an ''alien'' crustacean, poisonous crab, and freckled shrimp that takes shelter in clams—all found in South Korea for the first time.
Walruses Swarm Beaches as Ice Melts
September 27, 2010
Thousands of walruses gathered recently on an island strip in Alaska, probably because of extreme ice melting, scientists say. Video.
Whale Sharks Killed, Displaced Due to Gulf Oil?
September 24, 2010
The Gulf spill fouled a stretch of feeding habitat for whale sharks, possibly killing some of the world's largest fish, new research says.
Hybrid Panthers Helping Rare Cat Rebound in Florida
September 24, 2010
Breeding rare Florida panthers with Texas cougars created tough hybrids that could save the subspecies from extinction, a new study says.
Drug-filled Mice Airdropped Over Guam to Kill Snakes
September 24, 2010
Dead mice filled with a generic version of Tylenol are being airdropped to kill the invasive brown tree snake, U.S. officials say.
Photos: Fiery Sea Slug Discovered, Lays Lacy Egg Case
September 23, 2010
A bold, spiky new species of nudibranch—and its doily-like egg mass—has been found near a California campground.
Flooding Farms on Purpose—For the Birds
September 23, 2010
In response to the BP oil spill, U.S. farmers are flooding fields to create untainted wetland stopovers for migrating birds.
Rare Photos: Giant Squid Eaten by Sperm Whale
September 23, 2010
"Absolutely sensational" new pictures are rare proof that the world's largest toothed whales feed on elusive giant squid. And if researchers are right, the photos may also show a baby whale's hunting lessons.
Two New Horned Dinosaurs Found in Utah
September 22, 2010
A giant with a supersized head and another sporting an array of "bony bells and whistles" were found in a "lost continent" in what is now Utah.
Pictures: "Extinct" Frogs, Salamander Found
September 22, 2010
The first ever search for a hundred "lost" amphibians has already rediscovered three species, including a cave-dwelling salamander, conservationists say.
Pictures: New Armored, Wood-Eating Catfish Found in Amazon
September 21, 2010
See a new species of armored Amazonian catfish that uses its four jaws to grind away at underwater logs.
New Species of Giant Elephant Shrew Discovered?
September 20, 2010
With maroon thighs and a black rump, a two-foot-long elephant shrew found in a remote Kenya forest may be a new species, scientists say.
Giant Vacuum to Help Bugs in Oiled Marshes?
September 17, 2010
Using huge hoses, researchers are vacuuming up marsh bugs along the oiled Gulf coast. By comparing their samples to bugs collected before the spill, teams hope to determine the effects of oil on creatures near the bottom of the food web.
Photos: World's Biggest, Strongest Spider Webs Found
September 17, 2010
A new spider species in Madagascar weaves 80-foot webs out of the world's toughest biological material, new studies say.
Pictures: Giant Fossil Bird Found With Spiky "Teeth"
September 15, 2010
The newfound prehistoric species had a beak lined with jagged "pseudoteeth" and a 17-foot wingspan, scientists announced Wednesday.
Cockroach Brains May Hold New Antibiotics?
September 9, 2010
Cockroaches and locusts produce natural antibiotics that can kill bacteria such as MRSA and toxic strains of E. coli, new research shows.
Hunchback Dinosaur Found: Carnivorous "Camel"
September 8, 2010
The otherwise fearsome new one-ton predator, Concavenator corcovatus, sported an odd hunchback and scrawny "protofeathers," puzzling scientists.
Pictures: Crab Swarms Overtake Island—Mystery Solved
September 3, 2010
A surge in hormones allows millions of migrating Christmas Island red crabs to make their epic annual trek to the ocean, a new study says.
Tarzan Chameleon Found in Tarzan Forest, Near Tarzanville
September 2, 2010
The discovery on Madagascar of the new species—given away by its flat snout—is a "Tarzan yell for conservation," a new study says.
Evolution in Action: Lizard Moving From Eggs to Live Birth
September 1, 2010
A skink species lays eggs on the coast but births babies in the mountains, giving a rare glimpse at how placentas evolved, scientists say.
"Whispering" Bat Evolved to Trick Prey
September 1, 2010
The barbastelle bat has lowered its voice to evade detection by moths with keen hearing, a new study says.
New Deep-Sea Pictures: Chimaera, Ten-armed Starfish, More
August 31, 2010
A hitchhiking anemone, a perching sea robin, and a many-armed sea star were recently spotted off the Indonesian island of Sulawesi.
Pictures: Live Tiger Cub Found in Luggage
August 26, 2010
The cat's out of the bag for a woman caught smuggling a live, drugged tiger cub at a Thai airport Sunday.
Five Years After Hurricane Katrina, Alien Rodents Return
August 26, 2010
The beaver-size, wetland-eating rodents are back—but are being kept in check by a boom in trappers, a wildlife biologist says.
Pictures: Pea-Size Frog Found—Among World's Smallest
August 25, 2010
Completely lost on a penny, the new frog species was mistaken for a baby for a hundred years.
Spiders, Carnivorous Plants Compete for Food—A First
August 25, 2010
Spiders build bigger webs to catch more bugs than sundews, says the first study to show such battles between the plant and animal kingdoms.
Pictures: "Lost" Deer, Rare Cuckoo Caught in Camera Traps
August 25, 2010
The Sumatran tiger and rhinoceros hornbill are just some of the rare species spotted in Sumatra during a recent photographic survey.
"Snot Otter" Sperm to Save Giant Salamander?
August 20, 2010
To save North America's biggest salamander—the hellbender, or "snot otter"—conservationists are freezing its sperm.
Giant "Terror Birds" Used Their Heads Like Hatchets
August 19, 2010
Standing up to ten feet tall, the prehistoric terror birds used their ax-like heads to chop their way to the top of the food chain, study says.
Toxic Oil Lurking Deep on Gulf Seafloor?
August 18, 2010
A signature glow detected in seafloor samples may be from Deepwater Horizon oil—and sea life may be suffering, preliminary results suggest.
New Public Road to Split the Serengeti?
August 17, 2010
The proposed road in Tanzania would cut through the Serengeti, possibly disrupting the annual wildebeest migration, conservationists say.
Pictures: Bushy-Bearded Titi Monkey Discovered
August 12, 2010
The "fascinating" new species of monkey mates for life—and may be critically endangered by habitat loss in the Amazon rain forest.
Gulf Spill Still Threatens Millions of Migrating Birds
August 10, 2010
Despite the BP Gulf spill cap, millions of migrating birds this fall, and for years to come, may face oil threats—starvation in particular. Video.
Photos: Ten Most Wanted "Extinct" Amphibians
August 10, 2010
From the golden toad to the Turkestanian salamander—the quest begins for the ten likely extinct amphibian species conservationists most want to rediscover.
Oyster Herpes: Latest Symptom of Global Warming?
August 6, 2010
Don't worry—it isn't a side effect of eating oysters. But a virulent new herpes strain could continue spreading as seas warm, experts say.
Bats May Be Wiped Out by Fungus in U.S. Northeast
August 5, 2010
Several species of North American bats may disappear if the fatal white-nose syndrome continues to spread unchecked.
Fossil "Cat Crocodile" Had Mammal-like Teeth
August 4, 2010
With canines, molars, and a sliding jaw, the newfound fossil crocodile Pakasuchus kapilimai could do one thing no other known reptile can or could: chew.
Video: Prehistoric Croc Was Mammal-like
August 4, 2010
Fossils of an ancient crocodile show that it had mammal-like teeth and legs, and that it probably lived most of its life on land.
Dogs' Brains Reorganized by Breeding
August 3, 2010
For thousands of years humans have changed dogs' looks through selective breeding. Now it seems we've actually reordered many breeds' brains in the process.
Video: Record-Breaking Sea-Creature Surveys Released
August 2, 2010
See some of the deep-sea stars of a new "roll call"—thousands of ocean species found during recent expeditions. Video.
Sea Discoveries Spawn Music Video
August 2, 2010
Featured in a new "roll call" of life from 25 key ocean regions, marine oddities oscillate, swim, and skitter to an ocean "chorus." Video.
Jumbo Squid Flash, Flail in First Ever Squid-cam Video
July 29, 2010
Filmed away from humans for the first time, jumbo squid light up during an expedition that also found them to have superstrong bites.
Alligator "Feeding Frenzy" Video Shows Teamwork
July 28, 2010
In a new viral alligator "feeding frenzy" video a fisher boats through hundreds of hyped-up alligators. Despite their snapping, the gators show true teamwork, experts say.
Photos: "Spectacular" Deep-Sea Species Found off Canada
July 27, 2010
New pictures reveal a potentially new—and arguably adorable—purple octopus and other rare species found this month off Canada's east coast.
Photos: Cameras "Trap" Hairy-Nosed Otter, More Rarities
July 26, 2010
The hairy-nosed otter—long thought locally extinct—and a stink badger are among rare mammals "caught" by camera traps in a Borneo forest.
Photos: "Glass" Crustacean Among Hundreds of New Species
July 23, 2010
A see-through crustacean and a weird water bug are among the hundreds of species discovered so far during a survey of Korean biodiversity.
Hundreds of Gulf Turtle Eggs Relocated
July 23, 2010
In an effort to save baby sea turtles from the BP oil spill, workers are moving up to 700 nests from the Gulf to Florida's Atlantic coast. Video.
"Prehistoric" Shark Seen Attacking Deep Bait
July 22, 2010
Scientists have filmed deep-sea creatures for the first time at depths of more than 4,500 feet near Australia's coast, including the deep-dwelling sixgill shark biting on bait. Video.
Pictures: Baby Gulf Turtles Released Into Atlantic
July 22, 2010
Hatchlings from 700 Gulf sea turtle nests are being released into the Atlantic, part of a U.S. federal effort to avoid a "lost generation" due to the Gulf oil spill, experts say.
30 Amphibian Species Wiped Out in Panama Forest
July 20, 2010
The "catastrophic" epidemic in Panama claimed five species that were lost before they were even identified by science, a new study says.
Relocated Gulf Pelicans "Enjoying" Texas
July 19, 2010
Some Louisiana pelicans, cleaned of oil from the Gulf spill, have been relocated to Texas—and are apparently quite happy about it. Video.
"Extinct," Pop-Eyed Primate Photographed for First Time
July 19, 2010
The pop-eyed Horton Plains slender loris has been seen for the first time in 60 years—alive and cute, if not exactly well.
Pictures: Surprising Creatures Found Deep off Australia
July 16, 2010
See a "prehistoric" shark, a hairy anglerfish, jellyfish glowing like Avatar extras, and more—dark-adapted oddities of the Deep Australia Project.
Prozac Pollution Making Shrimp Reckless
July 16, 2010
Shrimp exposed to traces of Prozac swim in brighter areas, making them more vulnerable to predators, a new study says.
Human Sperm Gene Traced to Dawn of Animal Evolution
July 16, 2010
The gene responsible for sperm in all sexual creatures dates to the beginning of animal evolution—and may be a key to the elusive male birth control pill, a new study says.
Pictures: Giant Undersea Volcano Revealed
July 15, 2010
More than 11,500 feet tall, the newly explored peak off Indonesia is home to odd creatures, spewing vents, and a potentially new squid.
"Miraculous" Fish Thrive Amid Jellyfish Swarm, Toxic Mud
July 15, 2010
The hardy little bearded goby is the first fish known to thrive in seas dominated by stinging jellyfish and toxic mud, a new study says.
Jungle Cat Mimics Monkey to Lure Prey—A First
July 13, 2010
Sure it's a "poor imitation," but an Amazon cat's unprecedented monkey call shows surprising "psychological cunning."
Two New "Walking" Batfish Species Found
July 9, 2010
Two new species of bottom-dwelling "walking" fish have been found in the Gulf of Mexico—right in the path of the Gulf oil spill, a new study says.
Photos: New Species, "Living Fossils" Found in Atlantic
July 7, 2010
A recent Atlantic expedition discovered many rare sea creatures, from swimming sea cucumbers to potential, pink "missing links."
Gulf Oil Cleanup Crews Trample Nesting Birds
July 6, 2010
For rare shorebirds in the path of the Gulf oil spill, well-meaning cleanup crews may be doing more harm than the oil itself, experts say.
Mouse Tears Are Aphrodisiacs
July 2, 2010
A pheromone in male tears makes female lab mice more receptive to mounting, a Japanese study says.
New Leviathan Whale Was Prehistoric "Jaws"? (Pictures)
June 30, 2010
A newfound prehistoric sperm whale with giant teeth likely attacked other whales—and possibly giant sharks, scientists say.
T. Rex Plodded Like an Elephant, Nerve Study Says
June 29, 2010
The mighty Tyrannosaurus rex didn't have the nerves—literally—to be a fast, agile killing machine, a new study says.
Watching "Sexy" Males Leads to Better Chicks, Study Says
June 29, 2010
Watching attractive males dance before breeding makes female Houbara bustards lay more and healthier eggs, a new study suggests.
Big Cats Wild for Calvin Klein Cologne?
June 24, 2010
Bronx Zoo cheetahs are attracted to Calvin Klein's "Obsession for Men," which scientists have tested to lure wild big cats close to camera traps. Video.
Sharks Carrying Drug-Resistant "Bacterial Monsters"
June 23, 2010
Our leftover medicines are spawning drug-resistant bacteria that thrive inside sharks, scientists say.
Chimp Gangs Kill to Expand Territory
June 21, 2010
Some gangs of chimpanzees beat their neighbors to death to gain lucrative parcels of land, according to a ten-year study in Uganda.
Father's Day Pictures: "Best" Animal Dads
June 17, 2010
"Pregnant" seahorses, ferocious egg-carrying water bugs, and midwife monkeys--meet some of the dedicated fathers that are rarities in the animal kingdom.
Jacques Cousteau Centennial: What He Did, Why He Matters
June 11, 2010
The late Jacques Cousteau's hundredth birthday is making headlines. Why is the late explorer such a legend? Here are five good reasons.
Ebola Cured in Monkeys—Hope for Humans?
June 9, 2010
A new drug successfully wiped out the deadly virus in monkeys, possibly bringing humans a step closer to a cure, scientists say.
Oil-Coated Gulf Birds Better Off Dead?
June 9, 2010
Conservationists should "kill, not clean" oil-coated birds, some say. And even euthanasia critics agree rehabbed birds face stormy skies.
Crocodiles Body Surf to Hop Between Islands
June 7, 2010
Rather than swimming, the reptiles ride currents to travel long distances, according to a study co-designed by the late Steve Irwin.
Pictures: "Shark Elevator" Lifts Great Whites From Sea
June 4, 2010
See a giant, ship-mounted hydraulic lift hoist live great white sharks out of the ocean, offering unprecedented research opportunities.
Mammoth-Belch Deficit Caused Prehistoric Cooling?
June 4, 2010
By killing off woolly mammoths and other Ice Age megamammals, humans may have sparked a thousand-year cooling event, a new study says.
Frogs Shake Booties Before Fights
June 1, 2010
In a stunning display of amphibian machismo, tree frogs boogie before they brawl in this unprecedented video.
Photos: Hundreds of New Species Found off Tasmania
May 27, 2010
See photos of some of the hundred new marine species found by Australian scientists in the latest of a string of underwater discoveries.
First Photos: Weird Fish With Transparent Head
May 27, 2010
With a head like a fighter-plane cockpit, a Pacific barreleye fish shows off its transparent head and barrel-like eyes in the first specimen ever found alive.
Photos: Dracula Fish, Bomber Worm on Top New Species List
May 26, 2010
From a psychedelic fish to a "phallic" fungus, see some of the most unusual species described in 2009, as chosen by a team of taxonomists.
Orphaned "Moon Bear" Cubs "Mothered" by Scientists
May 25, 2010
A program to rehabilitate orphaned moon bear cubs is giving these threatened mammals a better chance for survival. Video.
Pictures: Nine Fish With "Hands" Found to Be New Species
May 24, 2010
Nine fish that use handlike fins to walk, rather than swim, off Australia have been identified as new species.
Oil Spill to Wipe Out Gulf's Sperm Whales?
May 21, 2010
If the Gulf of Mexico oil spill kills just three sperm whales, the Gulf population may be in serious risk in the long run, experts say.
Male Antelope Scare Females Into Staying for Sex
May 21, 2010
To keep wandering females close, male topi antelope will begin snorting and staring at nonexistent predators, a new study says.
New Species Found in "Lost World": Pinocchio Frog, More
May 17, 2010
See the nosy "Pinocchio frog," the world's smallest wallaby, and other new species found in the tropical Indonesian mountains on New Guinea called the Lost World.
Alpacas to Help Fight Gulf Spill?
May 14, 2010
Human hair, pet fur, and now alpaca fleece from zoo animals are being used to make booms designed to keep oil off the U.S. Gulf Coast. Video.
Mass Lizard Extinctions Looming; Global Warming Blamed
May 13, 2010
One in five lizard species are headed for extinction due to global warming, a new study says. But they won't bake; they'll starve.
All Species Evolved From Single Cell, Study Finds
May 13, 2010
Creationism is "an absolutely horrible hypothesis," says the author of a new study of the statistical probability of a universal common ancestor.
Colossal Squid a Soft, Sluggish Drifter
May 12, 2010
Perseus would have nothing to fear from this kraken-like sea beast: The squid's energy needs suggest it's just a slow, aimless drifter.
Super Slo-Mo Frog Video Reveals Jumping Secrets
May 12, 2010
Watch mesmerizing video that's helping unlock secrets of jumping frogs, some of which can leap more than ten times their lengths.
Mutant Mosquitoes Not Repelled by DEET
May 10, 2010
The popular bug-repelling chemical DEET has lost its power against some disease-carrying mosquitoes, a new study says.
Glowing Sea Beasts: Photos Shed Light on Bioluminescence
May 7, 2010
A new report reviews why, for sea species, bioluminescence can be a very healthy glow—and how so many creatures evolved it in so many ways.
Mother's Day Mayhem: "Worst" Animal Moms?
May 7, 2010
Meet the animal world's "worst" mothers—and find out why their tough parenting may not be so awful after all.
"City of Gonads" Jellyfish Discovered
May 6, 2010
Unlike every other known jellyfish, Csiromedusa medeopolis—the new underwater wonder from down under—keeps its gonads on display.
Why Deep-Sea Creatures Glow
May 6, 2010
Most of the animals in the deep sea naturally emit light known as bioluminescence, a trait that presents many mysteries to scientists. Video.
Bald Eagles May Have to Eat Toxic Seals, Study Says
May 3, 2010
Eagles on California's Channel Islands are finding fewer of their traditional prey, which may force them to scavenge DDT-laced blubber.
Gulf Oil Spill Fight Turns to Chemicals
April 30, 2010
Responders are deploying huge amounts of oil dispersant to limit onshore damage from the Gulf of Mexico, but the chemicals don’t make oil disappear.
Pictures: Ancient Egypt Crocodile Mummies Revealed
April 30, 2010
A crocodile's last meal and an ancient fishhook are among "exciting" details revealed by new CT scans of the 2,000-year-old mummies.
Pictures: Gulf Oil Spill Hits Land—And Wildlife
April 30, 2010
The first birds covered in oil have been found after the massive spill in the Gulf of Mexico reached land along the Louisiana coast.
Oil Spill Hits Gulf Coast Habitats
April 30, 2010
The Gulf of Mexico oil spill's first landfall is Louisiana's “bird’s foot” delta and barrier marshes, the habitat of the long-struggling brown pelican and other ecologically sensitive species.
Please DO Feed the Bears, Biologist Says
April 29, 2010
Giving bears snacks may keep the animals away from homes and campsites, one biologist says. Others warn the practice is ineffective—possibly dangerous.
Pictures: Lion Steals Roving Camera, "Takes" Photos
April 27, 2010
This time, curiosity killed the camera: A lion mangled the remote-controlled BeetleCam—after taking a few pictures of African wilderness.
Pictures: "Rarest of the Rare" Species Named
April 26, 2010
A giant bat and a tiny fox are among 12 of the world's most endangered species recently highlighted by the Wildlife Conservation Society.
Photos: "Ninja" Slug, Longest Insect Among New Species
April 22, 2010
In time for the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, a new report spotlights new species from Borneo, including a flying frog and the world's longest insect.
Sperm Recognize "Brothers," Team Up for Speed
April 21, 2010
In promiscuous mouse species, sperm from the same male team up like Tour de France racers to give themselves an edge in the dash for the egg, a new study finds.
Pictures: Strange Sea Species Found Off Greenland
April 21, 2010
From deep-sea "aliens" to promising seafood specimens, 38 striking fish species have been spotted off Greenland for the first time.
Bacteria-size Babies Among Ocean's Smallest Life
April 20, 2010
An octopus in miniature is among the hundreds of larvae found in a recent Census of Marine Life survey of the tiniest creatures in the sea. Video
Tiny New Sea Species Discovered—First Ever Video
April 20, 2010
Recent ocean expeditions have uncovered some of the world's smallest species—in spectacular abundance.
Pictures: Hard-to-See Sea Creatures Revealed
April 18, 2010
From alien-looking baby starfish to snowflake-like crabs, some of the ocean's smallest life-forms have been revealed.
Oxygen-Free Animals Discovered—A First
April 16, 2010
Deep in the Mediterranean, scientists have discovered the first complex animals known to live without oxygen.
"Tyrant King" Leech Discovered, Attacks Orifices
April 16, 2010
The new "tyrant king" leech has extremely large teeth, which it uses on mammals' orifices, a new study says.
Lions, Hyena Killed With Poisoned Meat
April 13, 2010
A bloody bucket streaked with purple stains suggests Kenyan herders killed thelions and hyena with a controversial pesticide called Furadan, experts say.
Octopus vs. Sea Lion—First Ever Video
April 9, 2010
It's a first. Outfitted with a Crittercam, an Australian sea lion has filmed itself hunting, and eating, a large octopus. Video.
New Giant Lizard Discovery "an Unprecedented Surprise"
April 7, 2010
It has a double penis, lives on a crowded island, and is as long as a man. So how did Varanus bitatawa go unidentified till now?
Pictures: Millions of Sea Turtles Killed Accidentally?
April 6, 2010
Millions, not thousands, of sea turtles have been unintentionally killed by fishing operations in the last 20 years, a new report says.
First African Amber Pictures: Thunder Fly, Wasps, More
April 5, 2010
Frozen in "time capsules" of fossilized tree sap, bugs and spores from the dinosaur era have been dug up at a site in Ethiopia.
New Blind Snakes Found, Help Explain World Domination
April 1, 2010
The discovery of a new family of wormlike snakes may help explain how blind snakes conquered continents despite being unable to swim.
New "Roadrunner" Dinosaur Found in China
March 31, 2010
Look out, Wile E. Coyote: A newfound fossil unearthed in China belonged to one of the fastest dinosaurs ever to roam the Earth.
Gene-Altered "Enviropig" to Reduce Dead Zones?
March 30, 2010
"Enviropig," now approved for limited production, is modified to excrete less phosphorous, a key trigger of algal blooms, scientists say.
Bulging Mutant Trout Created: More Muscle, More Meat
March 30, 2010
The genetically engineered fish boast at least 15 percent more flesh for eating—but is that good?
Goliath Tiger Fish: "Evolution on Steroids" in Congo
March 29, 2010
On an unprecedented Congo River run, scientists and kayakers have found potential new species, the spike-toothed goliath tiger fish, and evidence that the African river may be the world's deepest.
Pictures: Giant Squid Get Extreme Plastic Surgery
March 26, 2010
See two giant squid corpses become "the most lifelike specimens yet"—a two-year process involving dissection, 396 gallons of silicon, and hundreds of needles.
Tiny T. Rex Ancestors Achieved World Domination
March 25, 2010
"Mini-Me" versions of T. rex once dominated the globe, hints a new fossil that's the first tyrannosaur ancestor found in the Southern Hemisphere.
Gorillas Extinct in Ten Years in Central Africa?
March 24, 2010
Gorillas may soon go extinct across much of central Africa, due in part to Chinese timber demand, the ape-meat trade, and mining, a new study says.
Bigger Testes Can Offer a Competitive Edge
March 23, 2010
When competition for females is fierce, males of some species have evolved bigger testes to trounce their rivals, a new study has confirmed.
First Amphibious Insects Found in Hawaii
March 23, 2010
Twelve new caterpillar species are at home on land or underwater, although scientists are baffled about how the submerged bugs breathe.
Flat-headed, Web-footed Swamp Cat Dying Out
March 22, 2010
The rare flat-headed cat is disappearing as more of its swampy Asian habitat becomes palm plantations for biofuel production, experts warn.
New Dinosaur: "Exquisite" Raptor Found
March 19, 2010
A claw protruding from a desert cliff in China led to the discovery of one of the most complete raptor fossils ever found, scientists say.
Mutant All-Black Penguin Found
March 16, 2010
An all-black king penguin—a very rare mutant—was spotted and filmed on the sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia. Video.
Half-Male, Half-Female Chicken Mystery Solved
March 16, 2010
It was a tough egg to crack, but scientists have discovered that half-male, half-female chickens possess a mixture of genetically male and female cells.
"FedEx" Fossil Amphibian Found in Pittsburgh
March 15, 2010
The toothy predator likely chased after giant cockroaches when Pittsburgh was near the Equator, a new fossil study says.
New Frog Found—Has "Striking" Color Change
March 10, 2010
The jungle species undergoes a "striking" change from a black, yellow-spotted youngster to a peachy, blue-eyed adult, scientists say.
"Cove" Movie Assails Dolphin Hunt, Gets Oscar Boost
March 8, 2010
With its 2010 Oscar win for best documentary, the movie The Cove has reignited debate over annual dolphin hunts in Taiji, Japan.
First Proof Gorillas Eat Monkeys?
March 5, 2010
Monkey DNA has been found in gorilla feces—suggesting that maybe, just maybe, the big apes eat meat after all.
Atlantic Octopus Mimics Flounders—A First
March 4, 2010
An octopus in the Caribbean can mimic not only the shape of a flounder, but also the fish's color and swimming style, most likely in an attempt to avoid predators, researchers say.
Glowing Animals: Pictures of Beasts Shining for Science
March 3, 2010
Dogs, cats, monkeys, worms, fish: all now glow in the dark, thanks to one jellyfish and a whole lot of research. In this photo round-up of glowing animals (and the odd plant), see the gamut of what science has done with a few fluorescent proteins.
Snake Caught Attacking Dinosaur—First Fossil Proof
March 1, 2010
Entombed at the moment of attack, a fossil serpent and sauropod are the first solid proof that prehistoric snakes ate dinosaurs, a new study says.
Weed Killer Makes Male Frogs Lay Eggs
March 1, 2010
One of the most common weed-killers in the United States can transform male frogs into fully functional females, a new study says.
Grizzly Bears Moving into Canada's Polar Bear Capital
February 26, 2010
There may now be two kings of the Canadian tundra—grizzly bear sightings are on the rise near Churchill, Manitoba, raising the small possibility of more grizzly bear-polar bear hybrids, a new study says.
Sharks vs. Pig Carcass: Experiments Surprise Scientists
February 26, 2010
After dropping dead pigs into the sea and watching via Webcams, researchers were "very surprised" to see marine scavengers risk low-oxygen waters for a meal.
Ancient Horned Crocodile Found—Ate Early Humans?
February 25, 2010
A newfound species of fossil crocodile that reached 19 feet long attacked early humans in Africa more than a million years ago, a new study says.
"Shamu" Kills Trainer--Killer Whale's Act Not Normal
February 25, 2010
The drowning of a Florida SeaWorld animal trainer by "Shamu"—the stage name assigned to multiple SeaWorld captive killer whales—is not typical behavior for the whales, scientists say.
Huge New Dinosaur Found via "Mind-boggling" Skulls
February 24, 2010
Four 105-million-year-old dinosaur skulls with surprisingly tiny teeth may give scientists a head start on understanding the biggest animals ever to walk the Earth, a new study says.
Dolphins Turn Diabetes Off and On -- Hope for Humans?
February 19, 2010
Bottlenose dolphins have a condition like human type 2 diabetes, but the animals can turn it off and on. The discovery suggests human medicine might someday do the same.
New Laser Zaps Mosquitoes in Slow-Motion Video
February 17, 2010
A new laser system can kill mosquitoes without harming other insects, as shown in slow-motion video. It's all part of the effort to combat malaria.
Deadly Bat Fungus Spreading in U.S.
February 16, 2010
A mysterious disease that has already wiped out thousands of U.S. bats is on the move, according to recent tests that confirmed the killer's presence in Tennessee.
"Drunk" Bats Fly Right--Discovery Surprises Scientists
February 9, 2010
Some bat species can fly and communicate just as well while inebriated as while sober—even with blood alcohol levels that would exceed legal limits in humans.
World's Biggest Snake Ate New Prehistoric Croc Species
February 5, 2010
A new, unusually small species of ancient croc found in Colombia was likely no match for the largest snake ever to slither across the Earth, a new study says.
Eyeless Urchins "See" With Spines
February 5, 2010
Sea urchin bodies act as big spine-covered eyes, according to researchers who created "Twilight Zone" conditions to test how well the marine creatures can see.
Vampire Squid Turns "Inside Out"
February 3, 2010
The vampire squid can turn itself "inside out" to avoid predators—as seen in a video just released to emphasize the need to protect deep-sea species from the effects of human activities.
Tentacled Snake Uses Odd Appendages to Sense Prey
February 2, 2010
tentacles snakes
Groundhog Day Pictures: Punxsutawney Phil, Now and Then
February 2, 2010
The groundhog has spoken, predicting six more weeks of winter in 2010. See Punxsutawney Phil through the years—plus Groundhog Day origins and a wild woodchuck.
Groundhog Punxsutawney Phil Sees Shadow--And Long Winter for 2010
February 2, 2010
On Groundhog Day 2010, Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow—and six more weeks of winter, according to tradition. Get surprising facts behind the wacky weather prediction.
Groundhog Day 2010 & Punxsutawney Phil: Facts Behind Forecast
February 1, 2010
With ancient origins and modern media smarts, "immortal" rodent Punxsutawney Phil rules Groundhog Day 2010. Get the surprising facts behind winter's wackiest weather prediction.
New "Destroyer" Dinosaur Found, Was T. Rex Relative
January 28, 2010
The 29-foot-long predator reigned over the U.S. West about 75 million years ago, rare dinosaur fossils from New Mexico reveal.
"Sex Puppeteers" Force Sex Change, Virgin Birth in Bugs via Genes
January 26, 2010
Fast-spreading parasites are forcing victims into sex changes, inducing virgin births, and turning animals into "gross monsters"—all via genetic sabotage, a new study finds.
Tiger Trade Slashes Big Cats' Numbers
January 26, 2010
January 25, 2010—Only 350 wild tigers remain in Asia's Mekong River region, according to a new report from the conservation nonprofit WWF, which says the loss is being driven by trade in tiger parts. © 2010 National Geographic; Video courtesy of Education for Nature Vietnam and WWF Greater Mekong
Fish "Engineers" Dig Up Homes for Marine Life
January 26, 2010
fish-engineers-groupers-florida
Photos: Queen's Cat Goddess Temple Found in Egypt
January 21, 2010
An ancient temple filled with about 600 cat statues was built for the goddess Bastet by Queen Berenike II, say archaeologists who found the ruins under modern-day Alexandria.
New Species Photos: Slug-Sucking Snake, Mini-Gecko, More
January 20, 2010
A see-through frog and a gecko the size of a pencil eraser are among rare and new species spotted in Ecuador.
Flashier Great Tits Produce Stronger Sperm, Bird Study Shows
January 20, 2010
Flashier Great Tits Produce Stronger Sperm, Bird Study Shows
Mammals "Rafted" to Madagascar, Climate Model Suggests
January 20, 2010
The ancestors of lemurs, fossa, and other Madagascar mammals got to the island aboard natural rafts, according to a new model of the ocean currents and prevailing winds that existed 50 million years ago.
Superlungs Gave Dinosaurs Competitive Edge
January 14, 2010
alligators-dinosaurs-birds-lungs-breathing
PICTURE: See-Through Goldfish Bred; Cuts Out Dissection
January 13, 2010
see-through-goldfish-picture
World's Longest Migration Found--2X Longer Than Thought
January 11, 2010
World's Longest Migration Found--2 Times Longer Than Thought
Male Fish Punish Unruly Females -- And Benefit, Study Says
January 8, 2010
cleaner-fish-punish
PICTURES: Tigers Butchered for Trade at "Zoos" in China?
January 7, 2010
Many Chinese tourist attractions are secretly operating as fronts for illegal tiger farming, butchering captive tigers for the multibillion-dollar black market in wildlife parts, conservationists say.
Giant Salamanders Helped to Spawn
January 7, 2010
A new program in Japan is helping giant salamanders get past dams built to control flooding so the rare amphibians can lay their eggs upstream.
Rare Gorillas Spied Feasting on Figs
January 7, 2010
Rare Gorillas Spied Feasting on Figs
Elusive Tree Kangaroos Fitted With Video Cameras
January 7, 2010
crittercam-tree-kangaroo-video
PHOTOS: 7 Major "Missing Links" Since Darwin
January 7, 2010
For the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin's birth, National Geographic News asked leading scientist for their picks of the most important fossil evidence for evolution.
Early Whale Was Dwarf Mud-Sucker, Fossils Hint
January 7, 2010
Unearthed in southeastern Australia, the tiny, ancient whale likely captured its prey by slurping up mouthfuls of mud from the seafloor, scientists say.
Shark Fins Traced to Home Waters Using DNA—A First
January 7, 2010
Many of the hammerhead sharks butchered to feed Asian demand for shark-fin soup come from endangered populations in American waters, a new forensic study shows.
"Pregnant" Fish Fathers Suck the Life From Their Young
January 7, 2010
With the fathers taking on the responsibility of "gestating" their young, the story of pipefish reproduction is among the more heartwarming in biology. Well, it was.
Venomous Dinosaur Discovered--Shocked Prey Like Snake?
January 7, 2010
Jurassic Park may have had it partly right. Some raptors did have venom, though it was more stupefying than lethal, a new study suggests.
Czech Zoo Sends Four Rare White Rhinos to Kenya
January 7, 2010
Four of the world's eight remaining northern white rhinoceroses have been flown to Kenya in a last-ditch effort to save the critically endangered subspecies.
Abstaining Boobies Get "Sexier"
January 7, 2010
Male blue-footed boobies that take a yearlong sex sabbatical get a brighter shade of blue in their feet the following year, which makes them more attractive to females, a new study says.
RARE ANIMAL PHOTOS: Giant Armadillo, Bush Dog, More
January 7, 2010
In a remote region of the Amazon rain forest, camera traps have captured new images of elusive animals, including ocelots, armadillos, and the extremely rare and little studied bush dog.
Primate Dialects Recorded in South America—A First
January 7, 2010
The discovery of marmoset vocal variations indicates primate language may be more complicated than previously thought, according to a new study.
PICTURES: "Natural Treasure" Threatened by Industry?
January 6, 2010
Mountain lions, grizzly bears, and cutthroat trout are among the Rocky Mountain animals snapped during a recent photography expedition to the Flathead region, which conservationists say is threatened by mining, logging, and drilling.
Some Females Too Sexy for Own Good, Fly Study Says
January 6, 2010
fruit-flies-sex
Sucker-Footed Bat Hangs Upright Via Sweat, Not Suction
December 17, 2009
Despite its name, the sucker-footed bat of Madagascar—one of the few bats known to roost upright—actually uses "modified sweat" to cling to surfaces, a new study says.
1,200-Plus Venomous Catfish Species Uncovered
December 17, 2009
1,200-Plus Venomous Catfish Species Uncovered
Prehistoric Pygmy Sea Cow Discovered in Madagascar
December 16, 2009
The fossil "water bushpig"—as the locals call it—fills in a gap between primitive land-dwelling mammals to today's aquatic sea cows, a new study says.
Top Ten Discoveries of 2009: Nat Geo News's Most Viewed
December 15, 2009
National Geographic News's most popular coverage of 2009 scientific finds is swarming with megamouth sharks, giant snakes, a transparent-headed fish, and rare species rescued from obscurity—then eaten.
Alcoholic Flies Show Human-like Desperation, Relapses
December 15, 2009
Turned into alcoholics for science, fruit flies would seemingly drink almost anything for a buzz and relapsed after going cold turkey—findings that researchers hope might lead to new addiction therapies for humans.
Top New Species of 2009: Nat Geo News's Most Viewed
December 14, 2009
Strange beasts—including a giant rat, a lungless worm, and a vegetarian spider—dominated National Geographic News's most popular new-species coverage of 2009.
Lobsters to Be Supersized by Climate Change?
December 14, 2009
More acidic oceans may produce jumbo-size lobsters, crabs, and shrimp, according to a new study. But seafood lovers shouldn't start celebrating just yet.
Bears Go Bald at Zoo; Experts Stumped
December 14, 2009
Three spectacled bears at Germany's Leipzig Zoo have mysteriously lost their fur, and no
Animals News-1
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