Environment

The changes and wonders of the natural world—and how human interaction influences animals, the ocean, and the rest of the environment.

Latest in Environment

an illustration of a large red ant with curved jaws. a bird looks on with a concerned expression

Extinct hell ant species used specialized jaws to impale its prey Extinct hell ant species used specialized jaws to impale its prey

By Laura Baisas

a small marsupial with white spots stands on the ground

Watch endangered marsupials return to Australian bushland after 62 years Watch endangered marsupials return to Australian bushland after 62 years

By Laura Baisas

four jugs of wine are painted on to the wall of ancient ruins

Cheers to Bronze Age humans for delicious Italian wine Cheers to Bronze Age humans for delicious Italian wine

By Laura Baisas

Coiled rattlesnake near flowering bush

Rattlesnakes may evolve specialized venoms Rattlesnakes may evolve specialized venoms

Lava flowing into ocean in Hawaii

North America’s underside is slowly melting into the Earth North America’s underside is slowly melting into the Earth

An osprey sits on its nest protected by a human-made basket.

To protect birds and motorists, engineers build a steel nest box on bridge To protect birds and motorists, engineers build a steel nest box on bridge

By Laura Baisas

World War II jeep found at site of underwater shipwreck

NOAA needs help identifying car found in WWII shipwreck NOAA needs help identifying car found in WWII shipwreck

three chimpanzees sit around a round fruit sharing it

Wild chimps sharing ‘boozy’ fruit caught on camera for the first time Wild chimps sharing ‘boozy’ fruit caught on camera for the first time

By Laura Baisas

An Emperor chick begs and squaks at its parent to be fed.

Filmmaker James Cameron on penguins, arctic cold, and lowlight cameras Filmmaker James Cameron on penguins, arctic cold, and lowlight cameras

a sea slug in the ocean with whispy purple tendrils

Sea slugs harness the power of the sun to show off their colors Sea slugs harness the power of the sun to show off their colors

By Laura Baisas

a large bird with brown, gray, and white plumage walks in an open grassland

Ancient funerals may have included a ritual feast on a giant bird Ancient funerals may have included a ritual feast on a giant bird

By Laura Baisas

Images of Jyvaskylavirus. The virus particle is about twice the size of influenza or coronavirus. Credit: University of Jyväskylä

Finland finds its first giant virus Finland finds its first giant virus

Two young gorillas, habituated to human presence, scratch the soil in search of truffles

A group of gorillas have a surprising knack for hunting truffles, researchers find A group of gorillas have a surprising knack for hunting truffles, researchers find

By Laura Baisas

Skelleftea, Sweden A moose warning sign on a country road in summer.

It’s time to tune in to the Great Moose Migration livestream It’s time to tune in to the Great Moose Migration livestream

an illustration of a small crocodile ancestor sneaking up on a small mammal ancestor

Crocodile ancestors survived two mass extinctions—here’s how Crocodile ancestors survived two mass extinctions—here’s how

By Laura Baisas

Earth's oceans seen from space

How did water end up on Earth? New evidence upends long-held theory. How did water end up on Earth? New evidence upends long-held theory.

three researchers padding a canoe on a polluted waterway under a bridge

Pollution-eating microbes are thriving in infamous NYC canal Pollution-eating microbes are thriving in infamous NYC canal

By Lauren Leffer

first footage colossal squid

Colossal squid filmed in deep ocean for the first time ever Colossal squid filmed in deep ocean for the first time ever

By Popular Science Team

Spotted dolphin with head above water

Google made an AI model to talk to dolphins Google made an AI model to talk to dolphins

debris field in water

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch isn’t just a floating trash pile The Great Pacific Garbage Patch isn’t just a floating trash pile

By RJ Mackenzie