Environment

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

a close up of the eyes of an older dog. it has black fur with touches of grey

Is my dog ‘old’? Vets finally have the answers Is my dog ‘old’? Vets finally have the answers

By Laura Baisas

a bird opens it mouth to eat a bug.

9 fascinating images from the Royal Society Publishing Photography Prize 9 fascinating images from the Royal Society Publishing Photography Prize

By Popular Science Team

Striated frogfish (Antennarius striatus), also known as the hairy frogfish.

Anglerfish use ‘extremely rare’ mechanism to control their lures Anglerfish use ‘extremely rare’ mechanism to control their lures

waves in a deep cavern

Earthquake off northern California shook the water in Devils Hole, 500 miles away Earthquake off northern California shook the water in Devils Hole, 500 miles away

By Laura Baisas

Dogs really are communicating via button boards, new research suggests Dogs really are communicating via button boards, new research suggests

By Lauren Leffer

A juvenile Nile crocodile. It is small with pointed teeth

Why are crocodiles so bumpy? A dermatological mystery has been solved Why are crocodiles so bumpy? A dermatological mystery has been solved

By Laura Baisas

a new shrimp-like crustacean. it is white with two protruding tusk-like appendages at its head, at least 8 legs, and two tail-like appendages at the back

New predator uncovered 25,000+ feet under the Pacific New predator uncovered 25,000+ feet under the Pacific

By Laura Baisas

a microscopic zooplankton

Microscopic ‘eating and pooping machines’ are great at sucking up carbon Microscopic ‘eating and pooping machines’ are great at sucking up carbon

By Laura Baisas

Nautilus captured on video

After 15 years, a vessel named ‘Nautilus’ actually saw a nautilus After 15 years, a vessel named ‘Nautilus’ actually saw a nautilus

a variety of products on a banner reading 'best of what's new 2024'

The 50 greatest innovations of 2024 The 50 greatest innovations of 2024

By Popular Science Team

a hand touching grass

What happens to our bodies when we touch grass What happens to our bodies when we touch grass

By Kathy Willis

twisted trees create a perfect reflection in still water

13 jaw-dropping International Landscape Photographer of the Year images 13 jaw-dropping International Landscape Photographer of the Year images

By Popular Science Team

dog kissing human licking face

Why do dogs lick humans? It could be a sign of affection. Why do dogs lick humans? It could be a sign of affection.

By Lauren Leffer

An oil rig in Oklahoma.

‘A needle in a haystack:’ How AI is helping uncover abandoned oil wells ‘A needle in a haystack:’ How AI is helping uncover abandoned oil wells

By Mack DeGeurin

Frozen surface of Lake Enigma

Life discovered lurking under Antarctica’s frozen Lake Enigma Life discovered lurking under Antarctica’s frozen Lake Enigma

Two views of a slingshot spider (Theridiosoma gemmosum) web. The right image shows the web’s cone shape with a spider at the tip.

Watch a slingshot spider deploy a perfectly-timed trap Watch a slingshot spider deploy a perfectly-timed trap

By Laura Baisas

a siberian husky sits in the snow. it has piercing blue eyes and its ears are perked up

Humans gave dogs treats 12,000 years ago, new archeological evidence suggests Humans gave dogs treats 12,000 years ago, new archeological evidence suggests

By Laura Baisas

Researchers say they were inspired by the way the Manta ray effortlessly propels itself forward using its fins.

This Manta ray robot is the world’s fastest soft-bodied swimmer This Manta ray robot is the world’s fastest soft-bodied swimmer

By Mack DeGeurin

leaded gasoline reminder

Childhood leaded gasoline exposure damaged Americans’ mental health Childhood leaded gasoline exposure damaged Americans’ mental health

By Lauren Leffer

The anglerfish species Lophius piscatorius.

Anglerfish are so much more than just their dangly bioluminescent lures Anglerfish are so much more than just their dangly bioluminescent lures

By Laura Baisas