Evolution

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

Latest in Evolution

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

an illustration of an extinct marsupial with brown and white fur and a small trunk-like nose

Australia’s giant extinct marsupials may be ID’d using tiny bone bits Australia’s giant extinct marsupials may be ID’d using tiny bone bits

Well-preserved dinosaur skull belongs to new sauropod species Well-preserved dinosaur skull belongs to new sauropod species

a close up of a bed bug

Bed bugs have been bothering humans for 60,000 years Bed bugs have been bothering humans for 60,000 years

By Laura Baisas

an illustration of a long marine reptile with large teeth eating a shelled animal

‘Very odd’ 40-foot-long marine reptile stalked prehistoric Canada ‘Very odd’ 40-foot-long marine reptile stalked prehistoric Canada

By Laura Baisas

an illustration showing the various sizes of extinct giant sloths

8,000-pound sloths once roamed North America. Where’d they go? 8,000-pound sloths once roamed North America. Where’d they go?

By Laura Baisas

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

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)

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 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

The recent discovery helps bridge the gap between ancient cicadas and their present day descendants.

Earliest ‘true cicada’ fossil discovered in Germany Earliest ‘true cicada’ fossil discovered in Germany

seven women in dive gear stand on black rocks above the ocean on a cloudy day

South Korea’s ‘sea women’ are genetically adapted for their tough trade South Korea’s ‘sea women’ are genetically adapted for their tough trade

By Lauren Leffer

an illustration of a large red ant with curved jaws. a bird looks on with a concerned expression

Extinct hell ant species used specialized jaws to impale its prey Extinct hell ant species used specialized jaws to impale its prey

By Laura Baisas

Coiled rattlesnake near flowering bush

Rattlesnakes may evolve specialized venoms Rattlesnakes may evolve specialized venoms

three chimpanzees sit around a round fruit sharing it

Wild chimps sharing ‘boozy’ fruit caught on camera for the first time Wild chimps sharing ‘boozy’ fruit caught on camera for the first time

By Laura Baisas

a sea slug in the ocean with whispy purple tendrils

Sea slugs harness the power of the sun to show off their colors Sea slugs harness the power of the sun to show off their colors

By Laura Baisas

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’