Nature

About Nature

Uncover stories carved by wind and water — extraordinary wildlife, extreme environments and the hidden forces of nature.

nature16 Apr 2026

Australian Ants Farm Scale Insects on Tree Roots

Some ants in Australia tend root-feeding scale insects underground, protecting and moving them to keep a steady supply of honeydew.

nature14 Apr 2026

Channel Islands Fox Recovery Preserved Each Island's Genetics

The Channel Islands fox’s recovery was managed as separate island lineages, using captive breeding, studbooks, and careful genetic tracking to restore populations without mixing them.

nature03 Apr 2026

How House Mice Turned Into Albatross Predators on Gough Island

House mice introduced to Gough Island became unusually large and predatory, and have been reported attacking and eating seabird chicks, including albatross chicks.

nature01 Apr 2026

Florida's Burmese Pythons Are Eating Alligators Too

Burmese pythons in South Florida’s Everglades are a major invasive predator because they can eat prey as large as alligators, along with a range of other animals.

nature29 Mar 2026

Why Some Stickleback Fish Lost Their Armor

Some Alaskan stickleback fish evolved to lose much of their bony armor after becoming isolated in freshwater, likely because changing predation pressure made heavy plating less advantageous.

nature29 Mar 2026

Libyan Desert Glass Still Has an Origin Problem

Libyan Desert Glass is a natural glass formed about 29 million years ago by extreme heat, but scientists still debate whether that heat came from an impact or an airburst.

nature27 Mar 2026

Coral Comeback: The Phoenix Effect Explained

Researchers have observed coral colonies on the Keppel Islands rebounding remarkably from past bleaching events.

nature20 Mar 2026

How Cichlids Remodel Their Jaws to Crush Snails

The East African cichlid, Astatoreochromis alluaudi, can rapidly remodel its pharyngeal jaw to adapt its feeding strategy based on its diet.

nature19 Mar 2026

How Sable Island's Horses Thrive in Harsh Conditions

Sable Island's feral horses have developed unique survival strategies to access fresh water in a challenging environment.

nature18 Mar 2026

Lemurs in Madagascar Use Millipedes for Natural Pest Control

Lemurs in Madagascar rub millipedes on their bodies to use the toxins as a natural insect repellent against pests.

nature17 Mar 2026

Aldabra Tortoises: Nature's Lawn Mowers in Seychelles

Aldabra giant tortoises are being introduced to the Seychelles to enhance biodiversity and ecosystem health.

nature13 Mar 2026

How Firehawk Raptors Use Fire to Hunt Prey

Firehawk raptors in northern Australia use smoldering sticks to help spread grassfires that aid in hunting prey.

nature08 Mar 2026

Why You Keep Catching Colds: The Surprising Truth

The common cold is caused by over 200 different viruses, often rhinoviruses, which can mutate quickly and lead to repeated infections.

nature07 Mar 2026

How Fireflies Light Up the Night Sky

Fireflies produce light through a chemical reaction that is often crucial for their mating rituals and is influenced by environmental factors.

nature07 Mar 2026

Naked Mole-Rats: Nature's Unlikely Cancer Fighters

Naked mole-rats possess a notable resistance to cancer linked to a substance called high-molecular-mass hyaluronan.

nature05 Mar 2026

Naked Mole Rats: The Bees of the Underground World

The naked mole rat is a unique, social rodent that lives in organized colonies with a structure similar to that of bees.

nature25 Feb 2026

The Surprising Size of a Blue Whale's Heart

The blue whale has a heart weighing about 180 kg and an aorta approximately 20 cm wide, highlighting its unique adaptations for life in the ocean.

nature25 Feb 2026

The Jellyfish That Can Reset Its Life Cycle

Turritopsis dohrnii, often called the “immortal jellyfish,” can reverse its life cycle after adulthood and return to an earlier stage under certain conditions.

nature23 Feb 2026

The Incredible Mimic Octopus: Nature's Master of Disguise

The mimic octopus is a cephalopod known for its ability to imitate about 15 different marine species to evade predators.

nature23 Feb 2026

How Hippos Use Natural Sunscreen to Protect Their Skin

Hippos secrete a natural sunscreen known as "blood sweat" that protects their skin from UV rays and has antibacterial properties.

nature22 Feb 2026

Male Lyrebirds: Nature's Remarkable Mimics

Male lyrebirds perform elaborate courtship rituals by mimicking various sounds to attract mates.

nature22 Feb 2026

Why Seahorse Males Get Pregnant

Male pregnancy in vertebrates is essentially confined to syngnathid fishes, such as seahorses, pipefishes, and seadragons, where males brood developing embryos in a specialized structure.

nature21 Feb 2026

How Whale Calls Travel Thousands of Kilometers Underwater

Whales use low-frequency calls that can travel thousands of kilometers through the ocean's SOFAR channel for communication, navigation, and mating.

nature21 Feb 2026

Butterflies Taste with Their Feet: Nature's Surprising Adaptation

Butterflies have taste sensors on their feet that help them choose suitable plants for laying eggs.

nature18 Feb 2026

How Orchids Fool Insects for Pollination Success

Certain orchids mimic female insects to attract male pollinators for reproduction.

nature17 Feb 2026

Why Male Peacocks Fan Their Colorful Tails

Male peacocks use their vibrant tails to attract mates, showcasing their health and genetic fitness through elaborate displays.

nature14 Feb 2026

The Ancient Bristlecone Pine: Methuselah's Timeless Journey

Methuselah is the world's oldest confirmed non-clonal tree, a bristlecone pine over 4,800 years old.

nature13 Feb 2026

Why Banana Plants Are Among the Largest Herbs on Earth

Banana plants are among the largest herbaceous plants, growing up to 50 feet tall and lacking a woody stem.

nature13 Feb 2026

The Surprising Truth About Ostrich Eyes and Brains

The ostrich has the largest eyes of any living land animal, measuring about 2 inches in diameter, which helps it spot predators from great distances.