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

a leopad seal with its mouth wide open

15 riveting images from the 2025 UN World Oceans Day Photo Competition 15 riveting images from the 2025 UN World Oceans Day Photo Competition

By Popular Science Team

a weedy seadragon swimming. they have long snouts and raised backs

Weedy seadragons in the running for nature’s best dads Weedy seadragons in the running for nature’s best dads

By Margherita Bassi

a baby skunk is held by a person wearing blue latex gloves

Rescued baby skunks enjoy a good song Rescued baby skunks enjoy a good song

By Margherita Bassi

a male river otter standing on snow

Escaped river otter takes his destiny into his own (tiny) hands Escaped river otter takes his destiny into his own (tiny) hands

By Margherita Bassi

an adult osprey looks on as the heads of three chicks pop out over a nest

Three osprey chicks hatch in 500-pound steel nest boxes Three osprey chicks hatch in 500-pound steel nest boxes

By Laura Baisas

Happy smiling little boy out in the rain

The science behind the smell of rain The science behind the smell of rain

European Gray Wolf Cubs in a Grass in a Spring Day

Two Ice Age ‘puppies’ weren’t exactly dogs Two Ice Age ‘puppies’ weren’t exactly dogs

a small white dog standing on grey sheets looks up

The 6 dog breeds more prone to diarrhea, according to new study The 6 dog breeds more prone to diarrhea, according to new study

By Laura Baisas

Thrush songbird

Ancient Romans snacked on deep-fried songbirds Ancient Romans snacked on deep-fried songbirds

Examples of the pig molar teeth specimens analyzed for a study on pig domestication.

Wild boars began shrinking down to domesticated pigs 8,000 years ago Wild boars began shrinking down to domesticated pigs 8,000 years ago

By Laura Baisas

Hammerhead shark in water

Osprey drops hammerhead shark onto disc golf field Osprey drops hammerhead shark onto disc golf field

Gonatus Antarcticus squid seen underwater

Watch the mesmerizing first-ever footage of a rare Antarctic squid Watch the mesmerizing first-ever footage of a rare Antarctic squid

clouds in a blue sky

How do clouds get their shapes? How do clouds get their shapes?

By Clarissa Brincat

Viking boat grave burial near road in Norway

Viking woman buried in ceremonial boat with her dog Viking woman buried in ceremonial boat with her dog

Darvaza (Derweze) gas crater (Door to Hell or Gates of Hell) in Turkmenistan

Earth’s fiery ‘Door to Hell’ is starting to close Earth’s fiery ‘Door to Hell’ is starting to close

Lab grown salmon on sushi rice on a plate

FDA approves lab-grown salmon FDA approves lab-grown salmon

a solar power device in a field

How a 1,200-person village in Senegal traded diesel generators for solar power How a 1,200-person village in Senegal traded diesel generators for solar power

By Kristin Shaw

Sunny (top) practicing her hovering skills on May 29. She remained airborne for 3.3 seconds.

Famous eaglets Sunny and Gizmo have both officially left the nest Famous eaglets Sunny and Gizmo have both officially left the nest

By Laura Baisas

fuzzy, orange-ish rodent in a person gloved hand

A baby porcupine is fluffier than you’d imagine A baby porcupine is fluffier than you’d imagine

By Margherita Bassi

a blue fish with a pointy face in a california kelp forest

Q&A with the team behind ‘Ocean with David Attenborough’ Q&A with the team behind ‘Ocean with David Attenborough’

By Laura Baisas