Biology

A guide to life, on Earth and beyond, including the top news about plants, animals, and physiology.

Latest in Biology

Green ocean island water against blue sky with mountains in distance

Earth’s oceans weren’t always blue, scientists say Earth’s oceans weren’t always blue, scientists say

one brown horse and one black horse run along green fields in iceland

Scientists discover why horses are such exceptional athletes Scientists discover why horses are such exceptional athletes

By Lauren Leffer

Venus fly trap wasp encased in amber

This ancient ‘Venus fly-trap’ wasp used its butt to kill This ancient ‘Venus fly-trap’ wasp used its butt to kill

three elephants crossing a river

Elephants avoid wasting energy during their epic journeys Elephants avoid wasting energy during their epic journeys

By Laura Baisas

a hummingbird with blue, green, purple, and white feathers sucks nectar out of a yellow flower

Baby hummingbird appears to mimic caterpillar to avoid death Baby hummingbird appears to mimic caterpillar to avoid death

By Laura Baisas

Mars Curiosity rover selfie picture against Martian background

Curiosity finds largest-ever organic molecules on Mars Curiosity finds largest-ever organic molecules on Mars

a small bird with yellow plumage stands on a branch with its mouth wide open

Traffic noise is making these Galápagos birds more aggressive Traffic noise is making these Galápagos birds more aggressive

By Laura Baisas

Father teaching baby how to walk in living room

Why don’t we remember being a baby? New clues in memory mystery. Why don’t we remember being a baby? New clues in memory mystery.

a green iguana sitting at the base of a palm tree

After a 5,000-mile float, these iguanas probably set an ocean record After a 5,000-mile float, these iguanas probably set an ocean record

By Laura Baisas

Hand holding titanium heart implant against black background

In world first, man leaves hospital with titanium heart In world first, man leaves hospital with titanium heart

an illustration of a black rodent-like early mammal with a membrane like a flying squirrel flying through a forest

Early mammals were all one color, study suggests Early mammals were all one color, study suggests

By Lauren Leffer

Artistic reconstruction of the terrestrial ecological landscape before the end Permian mass extinction based on fossil palynomorphs, plants, and tetrapods recovered, as well as sedimentological data from the South Taodonggou Section

The remote locale that shielded plants during Earth’s biggest mass extinction The remote locale that shielded plants during Earth’s biggest mass extinction

By Laura Baisas

Original fossil (ATE7-1) alongside the mirrored right side by means of virtual 3D imaging techniques of the face of a hominin assigned to Homo aff. erectus found in level the TE7 of Sima del Elefante site.

1.4-million-year-old bones deepen mystery of who reached Europe first 1.4-million-year-old bones deepen mystery of who reached Europe first

an illustration of a small weasel-like early mammal with brown, black, and white fur climbing on a tree

This extinct tree-dwelling mammal may be among humans’ closer relatives This extinct tree-dwelling mammal may be among humans’ closer relatives

By Laura Baisas

a man on a boat holds a large orange pet goldfish

Please stop releasing pet goldfish into the wild Please stop releasing pet goldfish into the wild

By Laura Baisas

three small and gray balg eaglets eat fish given to them by an adult bald eagle

Bald eagle live cam team shares what’s next for the 3 eaglets Bald eagle live cam team shares what’s next for the 3 eaglets

By Laura Baisas

Blue-lined octopus in aquarium tank

Male octopus poisons its mate to avoid becoming post-sex snack Male octopus poisons its mate to avoid becoming post-sex snack

A mother humpback whale and her calf swimming in warm waters.

Whale pee moves vital nutrients thousands of miles Whale pee moves vital nutrients thousands of miles

By Laura Baisas

Close up of lemon shark

Megalodon may have been ‘even longer’ than we thought Megalodon may have been ‘even longer’ than we thought

Diagram of Lapedo child grave site

Scientists pinpoint age of suspected human-Neanderthal hybrid child Scientists pinpoint age of suspected human-Neanderthal hybrid child

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