The Biology of Death-Feigning
Some animals, when faced with predators, play dead instead of trying to escape. But for death-feigning to work, a lot of things have to go well.
The Woman Agrostologist Who Held the Earth Together
When government wouldn't fund female fieldwork, Agnes Chase pulled together her own resources.
The Mysterious Gynandromorph
Gynandromorphy is an extremely rare condition in which an animal is half male and half female. It's most visible in birds and butterflies.
The Pangolin Extinction Vortex
This shy, strange-looking, nocturnal mammal has been poached nearly to extinction.
The Beaufort Botanist and Her “Innocent Diversion”
Despite the twelve volume herbarium she created, this seventeenth-century scientist earned little recognition.
Are Honey Bees Bad for Wild Bees?
Recently, the health of the honey bees has been a topic of some concern. But many scientists think we should actually be worrying about wild bees instead.
Is Illinois the Next Bald Eagle Watching Spot?
Once seasonal migrants, the iconic birds of prey are settling in the state.
Mating at the Zoo Can Be Dangerous
A Sumatran tiger killed the female he was meant to mate with. Mating endangered species in captivity has long been a problem, if not always to such dramatic effect.
Paper Nautilus, Octopus of the Open Sea
Why the argonaut, or paper nautilus, may be your new favorite cephalopod.
Denisovans and Neanderthals Interbred in a Giant Cave
New findings shed light on how humans' ancestors interbred, but the Denisovans remain quite mysterious.