Breaking Trail at the Iditarod, Alaska’s 1,000-Mile Dog Sled Race
Each year, Alaska hosts a 1,000-mile-long dog sled race called the Iditarod. Its founder, Joe Redington, Sr., deserves credit for preserving the sport.
The Craziest Ways Animals Escape Their Predators
From shedding skin to making slime to shooting blood out of their eyes, these animals have defense mechanisms that are convincing, to say the least.
The Incredible Unsung Karst Ecosystem
One of the world’s most incredible, yet unsung, ecosystems, karsts are home to a remarkable biological diversity.
The World’s Cutest Mammal on the Brink
The Ili Piku, aka "Magic Rabbit," of China is endangered. But Pika populations are declining globally, not just in China.
The Weird Fairy Circles of Namibia
The deserts of Namibia are dotted with odd circular bare patches, ringed by the dry desert grasses. They're called "fairy circles." It’s a desert whodunit.
It’s Not Magical Realism: Bullets That Bloom
With all the human casualties of armed conflict, sometimes the environmental impacts go unnoticed. But the U.S. military has started to ...
The Invention of Pets
Pet are a relatively recent invention. In the 18th and 19th centuries, pethood arose in the split between farm animals and home animals.
The Many Unexpected Jobs of the Clubmoss Spore
The first working internal combustion machine debuted in 1807, powered by lycopodium powder, which is made of explosive plant spores.
Where Have All the Cheetahs Gone?
Disturbing news for cheetahs: a recent census reveals that populations have plummeted.
The Cork Oak Forests Want You to Drink More Wine
Corks come from a tree that is part of a unique ecosystem dependent on cork harvest for its survival.