Hidden Playgrounds of Elephants and Gorillas Revealed in Republic of Congo Rainforest
In a dense Republic of Congo rainforest, scientists have mapped a network of strangely open clearings where wild beasts go to eat and hang out
Sports Celebrate Physical Variation—Until It Challenges Social Norms
Human anatomy is delightfully varied, but female athletes are heavily criticized for not conforming to socially accepted bodily norms
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These Bizarre Fish Walk on Six Legs and Taste the Location of Buried Prey
A species of legged fish uses taste receptors to search for hidden prey, providing an ideal window for scientists to study the emergence of new evolutionary traits
Here’s Why Birds Look So Goofy When They Run
Looking silly when they run saves birds energy—and some dinosaurs may have done the same
The Surprising Challenges of Using Prehistoric Diversity to Understand Life Today
The incompleteness of the fossil record complicates efforts to figure out how life on Earth is faring today
Stunning Bird Photographs Showcase Incredible Views of Life on the Wing
Quirky perspectives, separated lovebirds and a tobogganing penguin star in 2024 winners of the world’s largest bird photography competition
Cave Fish Adolescence Means Sprouting Taste Buds in Weird Places
Cave fish develop taste buds on their head and below their chin—and even in humans, taste cells grow in truly unexpected locations
Here’s What the ‘Manosphere’ Gets Wrong about Cuckoldry
In online forums the term “cuck” has become synonymous with “sucker” and “loser.” But this use distorts its history and meaning, creating a baseless moral panic that harms both women and science
Quantum ‘Ghost Imaging’ Reveals the Dark Side of Plants
Entanglement lets researchers watch plants in action without disruptive visible light
Mystery of Deep-Ocean ‘Biotwang’ Sound Has Finally Been Solved
A strange sound dubbed “biotwang” was first heard bouncing around the Mariana Trench 10 years ago, and scientists have finally figured out where it comes from
Chickadees Show How Species Boundaries Can Shift and Blur
When different chickadee species meet, they sometimes choose each other as mates—with surprising results
Caterpillars Sense Hungry Wasps’ Electrical Field
Predators’ electricity gives caterpillars an early warning