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

Fossil fragments on black background

These human ancestors weren’t as lonely as experts thought These human ancestors weren’t as lonely as experts thought

a black and white snake with two heads

Rare two-headed snake is surprisingly thriving Rare two-headed snake is surprisingly thriving

By Margherita Bassi

thousands of birds take to the sky

Weather radar picks up over 1 million migrating birds Weather radar picks up over 1 million migrating birds

By Margherita Bassi

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

A dog on stuffed stairs and a cat in an automatic litter box for Amazon Pet Day

The best Amazon Pet Day deals on food, supplements, toys, beds, and everything else for your dog or cat The best Amazon Pet Day deals on food, supplements, toys, beds, and everything else for your dog or cat

By Stan Horaczek

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

Overhead shot of ocean water

Ancient 300-foot-tall mud waves gave rise to Atlantic Ocean Ancient 300-foot-tall mud waves gave rise to Atlantic Ocean

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

Various flowers in a flowerbed in soft sunlight in summertime.

Everything you need to know about chaos gardening Everything you need to know about chaos gardening

By Debbie Wolfe

a tiger peers through a rib cage of dead animal

17 unforgettable images from the Environmental Photography Awards 17 unforgettable images from the Environmental Photography Awards

By Popular Science Team

Tools for measuring home air quality on a blue background with a dust cloud

How to measure the air quality in your home by yourself and with a pro How to measure the air quality in your home by yourself and with a pro

By Terri Williams

Open dishwasher with clean dishes in the white kitchen

The science of why you should use your dishwasher The science of why you should use your dishwasher

Air Purifiers for asthma

The best air purifiers for asthma in 2025, according to experts The best air purifiers for asthma in 2025, according to experts

By Terri Williams

Close up of deep sea squid

Humans have only seen 0.001 percent of the ocean floor Humans have only seen 0.001 percent of the ocean floor

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