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 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

Close-up of Funny gigner cat sniffs at a cucumber on the table against gray background,

Are cats really afraid of cucumbers? We asked the experts. Are cats really afraid of cucumbers? We asked the experts.

By Sarah Lindenfeld Hall

Glaciers in Iceland

Ancient rocks tie Roman Empire’s collapse to a mini ice age Ancient rocks tie Roman Empire’s collapse to a mini ice age

Coway Airmega air purifiers in a row on sale at Amazon

Gear

Amazon is blowing out some of our favorite air purifiers just in time for allergy season Amazon is blowing out some of our favorite air purifiers just in time for allergy season

By Stan Horaczek

A “zombie ant” that has been infected by the parasitic fungus Complex Ophiocordyceps unilateralis.

Cordyceps fungus: ‘The Last of Us’ co-star thriving outside the spotlight Cordyceps fungus: ‘The Last of Us’ co-star thriving outside the spotlight

A man suffering from hay fever next to a flowering shrub.

Why are some cities worse for allergies than others? Why are some cities worse for allergies than others?

By Laura Baisas

a side view of an injured eagle beak that is regrowing some keratin

Images show bald eagle’s beak healing from gunshot wound Images show bald eagle’s beak healing from gunshot wound

By Laura Baisas

A Birdfy Netvue bird feeder in front of trees with a red bird on it on sale at Amazon

Gear

Amazon has this bird feeder with a built-in camera for its cheapest price ever Amazon has this bird feeder with a built-in camera for its cheapest price ever

By Stan Horaczek

Close up of cane toad tadpole eating toad eggs underwater

Cannibal tadpoles help Australia fight invasive species Cannibal tadpoles help Australia fight invasive species

a baby lion sleeps on a dirt road

10 gorgeous wildlife photos documenting Earth’s beauty 10 gorgeous wildlife photos documenting Earth’s beauty

By Popular Science Team

A man is sweating during a heatwave in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on April 28, 2024. (Photo by Rehman Asad/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

The world is heating up. How much can our bodies handle? The world is heating up. How much can our bodies handle?

By Sachi Kitajima Mulkey / Grist