Environment(Page 4)

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

Researchers conducting necropsy on woolly mammoth calf

Dissected mammoth calf smells like ‘fermented earth and flesh’ Dissected mammoth calf smells like ‘fermented earth and flesh’

goose wearing cubs hat

‘Geesekeepers’ protect Canada goose nesting at Chicago’s Wrigley Field ‘Geesekeepers’ protect Canada goose nesting at Chicago’s Wrigley Field

By Annie Colbert

dog standing in a lake

15 delightful images from the International Pet Photography Awards 15 delightful images from the International Pet Photography Awards

By Popular Science Team

Galapagos tortoise

97-year-old Galápagos tortoise becomes first-time mom 97-year-old Galápagos tortoise becomes first-time mom

Clorox air purifiers arranged on a plain background on sale at Walmart

If you have allergies, you need this $70 Clorox HEPA air purifier, on sale for just $30 If you have allergies, you need this $70 Clorox HEPA air purifier, on sale for just $30

By Stan Horaczek

Man swimming in river seen from POV of GoPro camera

YouTuber arrested for approaching uncontacted tribe in India YouTuber arrested for approaching uncontacted tribe in India

three men work on planting a tree

A tree with 40 different fruits planted in Philadelphia A tree with 40 different fruits planted in Philadelphia

By Laura Baisas

Close up of hand excavating ancient amphibian fossil

Ancient alligator-sized amphibians died under mysterious circumstances Ancient alligator-sized amphibians died under mysterious circumstances

an adult eagle tends to two chicks on a nest

Jackie and Shadow’s eaglets officially named: Meet Sunny and Gizmo Jackie and Shadow’s eaglets officially named: Meet Sunny and Gizmo

By Laura Baisas

several lightning strikes in the distance. a man crouches down in a squatting position with his hands over his ears. a red circle with a line through it is over the image, indicating that this is not what to do during lightning

Actually, it’s not safe to crouch during a lightning storm Actually, it’s not safe to crouch during a lightning storm

By Laura Baisas

The Greater mouse-tailed bat flies through the night sky, searching for insects

How bats avoid crashing into one another How bats avoid crashing into one another

By Laura Baisas

Fishing boat on sea

Stop stirring up the seafloor Stop stirring up the seafloor

By Lauren Leffer

Green ocean island water against blue sky with mountains in distance

Earth’s oceans weren’t always blue, scientists say Earth’s oceans weren’t always blue, scientists say

one brown horse and one black horse run along green fields in iceland

Scientists discover why horses are such exceptional athletes Scientists discover why horses are such exceptional athletes

By Lauren Leffer

Venus fly trap wasp encased in amber

This ancient ‘Venus fly-trap’ wasp used its butt to kill This ancient ‘Venus fly-trap’ wasp used its butt to kill

Transparent wood sample overlaying 'Transparent wood (TW)' on computer screen

Eggs, sticky rice, and transparent wood create new kind of window Eggs, sticky rice, and transparent wood create new kind of window

an baby orca surfaces behind its mother

Baby orca is a descendent of a whale almost sold to SeaWorld in 1976 Baby orca is a descendent of a whale almost sold to SeaWorld in 1976

By Laura Baisas

Ambient weather stations on sale for Amazon big spring sale

The best home weather station is cheaper than ever during Amazon’s Big Spring Sale The best home weather station is cheaper than ever during Amazon’s Big Spring Sale

By Stan Horaczek

three elephants crossing a river

Elephants avoid wasting energy during their epic journeys Elephants avoid wasting energy during their epic journeys

By Laura Baisas

African Woman Blowing Bubble Gum Playful Portrait

Chewing gum can shed hundreds of microplastics into your mouth Chewing gum can shed hundreds of microplastics into your mouth

a hummingbird with blue, green, purple, and white feathers sucks nectar out of a yellow flower

Baby hummingbird appears to mimic caterpillar to avoid death Baby hummingbird appears to mimic caterpillar to avoid death

By Laura Baisas

Looking south from near a pullout along the Mammoth to Norris road just north of the Nymph Lake overlook. On the other side of the marsh is a tree-covered rhyolite lava flow, and at the base of the flow is a new thermal feature marked by a plume of steam that formed in early August 2024.

Keep an eye on Yellowstone’s steamy new hydrothermal vent Keep an eye on Yellowstone’s steamy new hydrothermal vent

By Laura Baisas

two baby eagles in a nest

Help Jackie and Shadow name their bald eagle chicks Help Jackie and Shadow name their bald eagle chicks

By Annie Colbert

a deer with its mouth open stands in downpouring rain

11 brilliant images from the British Wildlife Photography Awards 11 brilliant images from the British Wildlife Photography Awards

By Popular Science Team

Mako shark swimming with orange octopus on its back

Shark’s ‘mystery hat’ turns out to be a giant octopus Shark’s ‘mystery hat’ turns out to be a giant octopus

a small bird with yellow plumage stands on a branch with its mouth wide open

Traffic noise is making these Galápagos birds more aggressive Traffic noise is making these Galápagos birds more aggressive

By Laura Baisas

Penguins on an ice sheet in Antarctica

A small amount of penguin poop is enough to spook krill A small amount of penguin poop is enough to spook krill

a plant with google eyes saying 'help'

Plants can now tell you when they’re stressed out Plants can now tell you when they’re stressed out

By Mack DeGeurin

four Budgerigars sit on a stick on plain background

We finally know how parrots ‘talk’ We finally know how parrots ‘talk’

By Lauren Leffer

Red sprite timelapse seen over Himalayan mountains

Astrophotographers help crack mystery of ‘sprite fireworks’ Astrophotographers help crack mystery of ‘sprite fireworks’

Four people on their stomachs plaster casting a mammoth tusk

Texas hunter’s ‘old stump’ find was actually a rare mammoth tusk Texas hunter’s ‘old stump’ find was actually a rare mammoth tusk

a green iguana sitting at the base of a palm tree

After a 5,000-mile float, these iguanas probably set an ocean record After a 5,000-mile float, these iguanas probably set an ocean record

By Laura Baisas

An Apollo 12 high-oblique view of the lunar nearside looking northeast toward the crater Copernicus (in center near horizon), as photographed from lunar orbit.

A startup wants to mine the moon for helium A startup wants to mine the moon for helium

The misfortune of some brings happiness to others, and for these polar bears, the death of a whale in east Greenland heralded a royal feast. Attracted by the smell, more than sixty bears were recorded in the area. However, their behaviour was almost benevolent, possibly due to the abundance of food.

11 fascinating wildlife images from the Sony World Photography Awards 11 fascinating wildlife images from the Sony World Photography Awards

By Popular Science Team

two baby eagles

Live cam bald eagles lost 1 of 3 chicks after snowstorm Live cam bald eagles lost 1 of 3 chicks after snowstorm

By Annie Colbert

Cougar kitten next to car tire in the snow

Cougar cubs spotted in Michigan for first time in over a century Cougar cubs spotted in Michigan for first time in over a century

Best home weather stations sliced header

The best home weather stations The best home weather stations

By John Alexander

a baby lion cub plays with its mother's tail

17 delightful Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards outtakes 17 delightful Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards outtakes

By Popular Science Team

an illustration of a black rodent-like early mammal with a membrane like a flying squirrel flying through a forest

Early mammals were all one color, study suggests Early mammals were all one color, study suggests

By Lauren Leffer

a man in a diving tube on text

100 years of deep-sea filmmaking and ocean exploration 100 years of deep-sea filmmaking and ocean exploration

By Bill Gourgey

An undated handout photo released by the University of Queensland shows an image of the boulder using 3D imaging and light filters showing the dinosaur footprints.

Dinosaur footprints unknowingly displayed in a high school for 20 years Dinosaur footprints unknowingly displayed in a high school for 20 years

Artistic reconstruction of the terrestrial ecological landscape before the end Permian mass extinction based on fossil palynomorphs, plants, and tetrapods recovered, as well as sedimentological data from the South Taodonggou Section

The remote locale that shielded plants during Earth’s biggest mass extinction The remote locale that shielded plants during Earth’s biggest mass extinction

By Laura Baisas

an illustration of a small weasel-like early mammal with brown, black, and white fur climbing on a tree

This extinct tree-dwelling mammal may be among humans’ closer relatives This extinct tree-dwelling mammal may be among humans’ closer relatives

By Laura Baisas

a man on a boat holds a large orange pet goldfish

Please stop releasing pet goldfish into the wild Please stop releasing pet goldfish into the wild

By Laura Baisas

an illustration of two cockroaches

Why cockroaches are so resilient Why cockroaches are so resilient

By RJ Mackenzie

three small and gray balg eaglets eat fish given to them by an adult bald eagle

Bald eagle live cam team shares what’s next for the 3 eaglets Bald eagle live cam team shares what’s next for the 3 eaglets

By Laura Baisas

I went to Iceland to try Columbia’s Arctic animal-inspired outerwear

I went to Iceland to try Columbia’s Arctic animal-inspired outerwear I went to Iceland to try Columbia’s Arctic animal-inspired outerwear

Blue-lined octopus in aquarium tank

Male octopus poisons its mate to avoid becoming post-sex snack Male octopus poisons its mate to avoid becoming post-sex snack

Tabby cats, with their distinctive coats adorned in a symphony of stripes, dots, and swirls, bring a unique charm to the feline world. These enchanting creatures, often seen in shades of brown, black, and gray with hints of cream, captivate us with their individual patterns. The classic tabby pattern, characterized by bold stripes that run along the cat's back and tail, evokes a sense of timeless elegance. Whether in ebony, tawny, or ashen gray, each tabby cat carries a visual narrative that tells a story of nature's creativity. Some tabbies flaunt the mesmerizing "spotted" pattern, where dots of color dance across their fur like stardust. Others boast the intricate "swirls," a delicate and graceful arrangement of lines that adds an artistic flair to their appearance. Completing their ensemble are those endearing whiskers that frame their faces, adding an extra touch of charm to these captivating companions. Tabby cats, in their varied hues and unique patterns, bring a touch of artistry and individuality to our homes, turning each encounter into a delightful exploration of feline aesthetics.

How to protect your pets from bird flu How to protect your pets from bird flu

By Lauren Leffer

A mother humpback whale and her calf swimming in warm waters.

Whale pee moves vital nutrients thousands of miles Whale pee moves vital nutrients thousands of miles

By Laura Baisas

Close up of lemon shark

Megalodon may have been ‘even longer’ than we thought Megalodon may have been ‘even longer’ than we thought

bald eagle feeds babies fresh fish

Jackie and Shadow’s third eaglet has landed Jackie and Shadow’s third eaglet has landed

By Laura Baisas

an emperor penguin looks through a camera while its baby looks on

15 breathtaking images from the Nature Photography Awards 15 breathtaking images from the Nature Photography Awards

By Popular Science Team

Mount Augustus National Park desert and hill in Australia against blue sky

Earth’s oldest meteorite crater found in Australia Earth’s oldest meteorite crater found in Australia

Blue gloved hands using tool on animal bone relic

1.5 million years ago, human ancestors used hippo bones to make tools 1.5 million years ago, human ancestors used hippo bones to make tools

a tiger leaps at a boar

12 riveting wildlife images from Nature inFocus Photography Awards 12 riveting wildlife images from Nature inFocus Photography Awards

By Popular Science Team

a green frog with its eyes and mouth sticking out of a shallow pool of water

Earth’s ‘Great Dying’ killed 80-90% of life. How some amphibians survived. Earth’s ‘Great Dying’ killed 80-90% of life. How some amphibians survived.

By Laura Baisas

two baby eagles tended to by their parent

The famous bald eagle nest live cam is back and we have 3 baby eaglets The famous bald eagle nest live cam is back and we have 3 baby eaglets

By Laura Baisas

a large hornet dismembers a honey bee

1,400 different bug species found in the guts of Asian hornets 1,400 different bug species found in the guts of Asian hornets

By Laura Baisas

An argentine ant is farming aphids on a young leaf.

Vicious invasive ants form gigantic supercolonies Vicious invasive ants form gigantic supercolonies

three eggs in a nest. the egg on the right has a pip, which is the first crack in a shell. the pip is circled in red

Pips spotted! Live cam bald eagles’ eggs shows hopeful signs of hatching Pips spotted! Live cam bald eagles’ eggs shows hopeful signs of hatching

By Laura Baisas

Four portable air purifier product images sliced and diced and made into a composite header

The best portable air purifiers for 2025 The best portable air purifiers for 2025

By Terri Williams

black rat sits on cage

Patient’s tingling feet turns out to be a rat-borne brain parasite Patient’s tingling feet turns out to be a rat-borne brain parasite

three narwhals with long tusks swim in the arctic ocean

Narwhals spotted using tusks for non-mating fun Narwhals spotted using tusks for non-mating fun

By Laura Baisas