Evolution

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

Latest in Evolution

a green insect with a wind that looks like a leaf stands on a stick

Big wings and sweet songs: The mating lives of Panama’s katydids

By Laura Baisas

Beautiful female eye in close-up with light blue iris details

Humans have weirdly white eyes. Here’s why.

By Sarah Philip

a mosquito biting human skin

Mosquitoes can learn that DEET means dinner is served

By Laura Baisas

Two views of new box jellyfish species with 5 cm size comparison reference

New box jellyfish name warns of ‘death from behind’

3D render illustration of T. rext and various other dinosaurs in a forest

Why were T. rex’s arms so tiny? Paleontologists finally find an answer.

spiders with happy faces

Newly discovered spider has smiley face on its back

a close-up of a black and yellow bumblebee landing on the yellow center of an orange flower

Worker bees have power to pick their queen

By Laura Baisas

Drill boring hole in ancient mollusk shell in laboratory

Neanderthals dined on shellfish much earlier than humans

Close up of child hand writing in notebook

Leg evolution made most humans right-handed

a shark swimming in dark waters

Mysterious giant sharks that outlived the dinosaurs lurking in Puget Sound

By Margherita Bassi

A photo of the Guangxi reed snake on the forest floor

‘Two-headed snake’ confuses predators

shiny crystals found inside of a bone

An extinct human species made surprisingly creative butchery tools

By Laura Baisas

An atmospheric photograph shows a silhouette of a person interacting with a dramatic play of light and shadow. The person’s face and hands are partially illuminated by a bright, warm light source that cuts through a hazy, purple-tinted atmosphere filled with smoke or mist. The composition is abstract and moody, emphasizing the sensory and ethereal nature of light and color.

Color doesn’t exist—at least not how you think

By Jennifer Byrne

small kitten sitting on a golden retriever's head.

Why some cats love dogs—despite the risk

By Clarissa Brincat

a chicken with brown and white stripes and large orange sacks on the sides of its head

A rare prairie chicken shakes his butt all day to attract ladies

By Laura Baisas

Rough thicktail scorpion (Parabuthus raudus). Paratuthus scorpions' venom is quick-acting, so they do not need to rely as much on their pincers to capture prey.

Metal-reinforced scorpions evolved to kill

an illustration of a woolly mammoth with brown fur and two large tusks and a trunk walking around a snow landscape

We’re still recovering from losing the woolly mammoth

By Laura Baisas

two sea otters in the ocean with one with its paw up

Why playing is no laughing matter for otters

By Heide Island

a sea turtle on a vet's table

Meet Earl Grey, the sea turtle with a wild family tree

By Margherita Bassi

Illustration of giant, ancient finned octopus

65-foot-long octopuses ruled ancient oceans