Biology

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

Latest in Biology

an illustration of a human brain with a lightbulb over it, simulating an idea

Your ‘Eureka!’ moments can be seen in brain scans Your ‘Eureka!’ moments can be seen in brain scans

By Laura Baisas

four puffins with white and black plumage and bright orange bills stand on a rock overlooking the north sea

Puffin-counting season begins with two new livestreams Puffin-counting season begins with two new livestreams

By Laura Baisas

The Chicago Archaeopteryx, under UV light to expose soft tissues.

Feathered fossil shows famed dinosaur could fly (like a chicken) Feathered fossil shows famed dinosaur could fly (like a chicken)

a split image of two newly discovered poison dart frogs. the one on the left has yellow legs with brown spots and green-ish stripes. the frog on the right has a brown body with light blue stripes

It’s raining tiny toxic frogs It’s raining tiny toxic frogs

By Lauren Leffer

An illustration of what the Amniote (early reptile) would look like from 350 million years ago.

Amateur paleontologists uncover earliest known ‘reptile’ footprints Amateur paleontologists uncover earliest known ‘reptile’ footprints

By Laura Baisas

an illustration of an extinct arthropod, with three large black eyes, antennae, and 16 body segments

Ancient three-eyed ‘sea moth’ used its butt to breathe Ancient three-eyed ‘sea moth’ used its butt to breathe

By Laura Baisas

two eaglets with black feathers sitting in nest

Bittersweet fledge watch begins for bald eagles Sunny and Gizmo Bittersweet fledge watch begins for bald eagles Sunny and Gizmo

By Laura Baisas

an illustration of a pink flamingo feeding in a shallow pool. a swirling vortex of water is near its beak

Flamingos conjure ‘water tornadoes’ to trap their prey Flamingos conjure ‘water tornadoes’ to trap their prey

By Laura Baisas

Entamoeba histolytica (green) attacking human T cells.

This parasite rips apart human cells and wears them as disguises This parasite rips apart human cells and wears them as disguises

A mother chimpanzee carrying her twins on her back.

Wild chimp babies bond with their moms in human-like ways Wild chimp babies bond with their moms in human-like ways

By Laura Baisas

a close-up of a chimpanzee eating a piece of watermelon

Chimpanzees can keep a rhythmic beat Chimpanzees can keep a rhythmic beat

By Laura Baisas

three plant species

Scientists discover how some flowers mimic the smell of death Scientists discover how some flowers mimic the smell of death

By Lauren Leffer

a snow leopard walking down a mountainside

Northern India’s elusive snow leopards get their close up Northern India’s elusive snow leopards get their close up

By Laura Baisas

a snail laying an egg from its neck

Watch a snail lay an egg…from its neck Watch a snail lay an egg…from its neck

By Laura Baisas

A 3D rendering of a sperm cell.

Next-generation male contraceptives could rely on the perfect temperature Next-generation male contraceptives could rely on the perfect temperature

By Laura Baisas

The recent discovery helps bridge the gap between ancient cicadas and their present day descendants.

Earliest ‘true cicada’ fossil discovered in Germany Earliest ‘true cicada’ fossil discovered in Germany

seven women in dive gear stand on black rocks above the ocean on a cloudy day

South Korea’s ‘sea women’ are genetically adapted for their tough trade South Korea’s ‘sea women’ are genetically adapted for their tough trade

By Lauren Leffer

a california sea lion sits by a pool

This sea lion can keep a beat better than some humans This sea lion can keep a beat better than some humans

By Laura Baisas

An axolotl crawling up to the aquarium pane at the Hamburg animal shelter.

Axolotls raised in captivity can survive in the wild Axolotls raised in captivity can survive in the wild

By Laura Baisas

A fringe-lipped bat approaches a Fitzinger's robber frog in Panama. This species of bat eavesdrops on the mating calls that male frogs produce to attract females, and uses these frog calls to detect, assess, and localize its prey.

Young bats develop a ‘caller ID’ to avoid poisonous prey Young bats develop a ‘caller ID’ to avoid poisonous prey

By Laura Baisas