Sky island ecosystems: What are they?

Scientists say climate change in this century will affect the unique mountain wildlife in the sky island ecosystems of Arizona's Catalina Mountains.

When our human ancestors first walked tall

A 3.2-million-year-old fossil foot bone, discovered in Hadar, Ethiopia, is shedding new light on when our human ancestors first began to walk upright. 

Tasmanian devils are not quiet, cuddly vegetarians

A closer look at Tasmanian devils, the world's largest carnivorous marsupial. These animals that only exist on the island of Tasmania are protected.

Julia Clarke: Penguin ancestors didn’t wear black and white

Scientists discovered the fossilized remains of a species of penguin that lived 36 million years ago - and it turns out their feathers weren't black and white.

The odd life of an underground orchid

A strange and wonderful orchid in Western Australia lives its entire life cycle underground. Learn more about the odd life of an underground orchid.

Female squid pheromones trigger fighting among males

A newly-identified pheromone produced by female squid - the first of its kind found in marine creatures - is thought to induce aggression in males.

Life on recycled water: The 80 percent solution

We can limit freshwater use by using mostly recycled water. Read more about how to make our precious resource last longer here.

Underground water draining twice as fast today as in 1960

We're taking water out faster than it's being replenished, says hydrologist Marc Bierkens. Read more about underground water and how fast it's draining.

America’s last wild buffalo are in danger, says scientist

A new study suggests that buffalo in Yellowstone National Park could be weakened by a genetic abnormality in the herd.

For some blenny fish species, looks can be deceiving

DNA analysis is changing the way we classify fish. A recent Smithsonian study of fish thought to be three species of Starksia blennies were actually ten different species, seven of which were hiding in plain sight.