Can You Hear It? The Cicadas Are Back
After 17 years quietly developing under the soil, 3 species of periodical cicadas emerged this summer. How do these insects coordinate?
No, Trophy Hunting Won’t Protect Wildlife
Killing wildlife to save it isn't a viable strategy. We can create diverse, self-sustaining ecosystems without trophy hunting.
What If We Had All the Birds from Shakespeare in Central Park?
According to birding lore, two of America's most invasive bird species were introduced by a misguided Shakespeare fan named Eugene Schieffelin.
What Lies Beneath the Museum?
Paradoxically, museum specimens of long-dead animals may offer us the keys to protecting live ones.
Uptown Fox: On Wildlife in Cities
Urban environments are harsh, with only fragmentary remains of natural habitat. But human activity has driven a rise of wildlife in cities.
Why We Can’t Turn Away from Wildlife Cams
Wildlife cams have steadily gained popularity among both scientists and casual observers. But viewers aren't always prepared for wildlife unscripted.
National Parks Are Like Islands for Wildlife
There’s no doubt that national parks are good at getting people in touch with the natural world. But how good are they at conserving wildlife?
Zoological Jokes and Hoaxes
The humor in inventing fake animals comes from the fact that the audience is in on the joke. Nevertheless, the line between satire and hoax can be fuzzy.
Teddy Roosevelt Weighs in on the Evolution of Camouflage
In the years after his presidency, Roosevelt sent a letter to The Condor magazine criticizing painter Abbott Thayer's theory of animal camouflage.
Lessons in Senescence: Not All Animals Age the Same
Senescence--age-related decline in health and reproduction–is something we take for granted in humans, but among animals it’s not necessarily the norm.