When Packrats’ Hoards Are Helpful
Packrat nests, preserved by a combination of the chemistry of urine and the desert air, open a window into centuries of local climate change.
Fire Ants Form Rafts to Float on Water
Floating masses of fire ants have been observed drifting in the floodwaters resulting from Hurricane Harvey. How does a swarm of fire ants float?
The Victorian Debate Over Rabies
Rabies began a contentious debate between Victorian pet owners and veterinary experts about how to regulate dog health. Rough.
America’s Imperiled Freshwater Mussels
Freshwater mussels were once found in astonishing numbers and diversity in North America. Then came the button fanciers, and then the pearl-makers.
What Does it Mean to Be on the Endangered Species List?
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List is a global list of species and their conservation status.
Six Surprising Facts About Spiderwebs
Intricate, strong, and rapidly-built, spider webs are more amazing even than they first appear. For a construction job done right, get a spider to do it.
Crows Are Even Smarter Than We Thought
If crows like the New Caledonian Crow can plan out and create a specialized tool, then they seem to have smarts that rival those of early humans.
The Ecology of Death
In nature, death creates its own unique ecosystem. These carcass-based mini-ecosystems are extremely dynamic.
Maybe Earthworms Aren’t So Great For Soil After All
Earthworms are often portrayed as beneficial to the environment, but in North America's temperate forests, they are a disaster in action.
How Killer Whales Kill
Orcas may look cute, but don’t be fooled. They display some of the most sophisticated hunting techniques of any animals on Earth.