Evolution

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

Latest in Evolution

Burmese python on ground

Pythons can devour bones thanks to unique stomach cells Pythons can devour bones thanks to unique stomach cells

An artist’s reconstruction of the fossilized landscape, plants, and animals found preserved in a remote bonebed in Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona. The newly described pterosaur Eotephradactylus mcintireae is seen eating an ancient ray-finned fish alongside an early species of turtle and an early frog species, with the skeleton of an armored crocodile relative lying on the ground and a palm-like plant growing in the background.

North American pterosaur could sit on your shoulder North American pterosaur could sit on your shoulder

By Laura Baisas

A jumping spider devours a hoverfly. The hoverfly has evolved to look like a wasp, but in this case the resemblance is not sufficient to deter a spider from attacking it.

Flies disguised as wasps can’t fool birds Flies disguised as wasps can’t fool birds

By Lauren Leffer

eight chipmunk specimens with tags on them in a museum collection

City living is changing rodent skulls in Chicago City living is changing rodent skulls in Chicago

By Laura Baisas

Fuzzy beetle on red flower

Most bugs can’t see red—but these beetles can Most bugs can’t see red—but these beetles can

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