Evolution

The latest science on how life has adapted and changed over generations—and how new species come to be.

Latest in Evolution

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.

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’

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

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 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

Original fossil (ATE7-1) alongside the mirrored right side by means of virtual 3D imaging techniques of the face of a hominin assigned to Homo aff. erectus found in level the TE7 of Sima del Elefante site.

1.4-million-year-old bones deepen mystery of who reached Europe first 1.4-million-year-old bones deepen mystery of who reached Europe first

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

Close up of lemon shark

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

Diagram of Lapedo child grave site

Scientists pinpoint age of suspected human-Neanderthal hybrid child Scientists pinpoint age of suspected human-Neanderthal hybrid child

a dead fish being dragged on artificial turf

Dragging dead fish around reveals super power of mucus Dragging dead fish around reveals super power of mucus

By Ethan Freedman

a large bird with a long neck and black plumage called an emu walking around in nature

Emus might not be the ‘world’s dumbest bird’ after all Emus might not be the ‘world’s dumbest bird’ after all

By Laura Baisas

africa and the middle east seen from space

New theory ups the odds that intelligent aliens exist New theory ups the odds that intelligent aliens exist

By Lauren Leffer

one jaw fossil and six vertebrae fossils lined up

500,000 years ago, a bunch of animals fell into a Florida sink hole 500,000 years ago, a bunch of animals fell into a Florida sink hole

By Laura Baisas

A blow fly larva disguised as a termite, antennae and all.

Rare fly species wears fake termite head to infiltrate nests Rare fly species wears fake termite head to infiltrate nests

By Laura Baisas

a close up of a human ear

Most humans haven’t moved these muscles in 25 million years Most humans haven’t moved these muscles in 25 million years

By Laura Baisas

Three chimpanzees in an enclosure at the Kumamoto Sanctuary holding leafy branches.

Peeing is contagious for chimpanzees Peeing is contagious for chimpanzees

By Laura Baisas

The great green bush-cricket.

Parasitic crickets have a few moves to outsmart ants Parasitic crickets have a few moves to outsmart ants

By Laura Baisas