ENVIRONMENT

They might seem icky, but we can‘t live without them.

Fly Migration Is Essential to Our Ecosystem, Study Finds

Flies aren’t just decomposers—they’re also pollinators and pest predators. Researchers shows it’s time to appreciate these misunderstood insects.

Meet the Darwin’s Bark Spider, Weaver of the World’s Largest Webs

The web of a Darwin’s bark spider can span 82 feet.

India‘s Thar Desert is looking a little greener than this nowadays.

Indian’s Thar Desert Is Getting Greener, Thanks to Human Activity

Thanks to increased accessibility to water and energy, the Thar Desert is now the most populated desert on Earth.

Many gopher tortoises withstood the Category 4 hurricane and are now adapting to new land.

A Florida Park’s Gopher Tortoise Population Exploded Thanks to Hurricane Helene

After Hurricane Helene devastated Florida’s coast, gopher tortoise populations unexpectedly surged in one area.

Thousands of Blue Blobs Wash Up in California, Signaling Spring

Learn what these creatures are, why they appear, and if they’re safe to touch.

If you‘d like more than a beach vacation, Fiji is the place for you.

Fiji Is Asking Tourists to ‘Give Back’ 1 Hour of Their Vacation

The island nation is inviting travelers to donate some of their vacation to support local communities and environmental efforts.

History in the Making! Critically Endangered Galapagos Tortoises Hatch at Philadelphia Zoo!

97-Year-Old Galápagos Tortoise Breaks Record as First-Time Mom

A nearly century-old Galápagos tortoise welcomed four babies recently, boosting a critically endangered population.

Behold! The World’s Largest Beaver Dam

It's twice the length of the Hoover Dam, but it was only discovered with the help of satellite imagery.

The tiny town of Rolla, Kansas, is about to be enveloped in the Black Sunday dust storm on April 14, 1935.

Black Sunday: When a Dust Storm Swallowed the Great Plains

Ninety years ago, the Black Sunday dust storm blasted the Great Plains with millions of tons of topsoil scoured from the once-rich prairies. The Dust Bowl had arrived.

Yellowstone‘s Castle Geyser is doing its thing.

Yellowstone’s New Thermal Vent May Be Easy to Spot This Summer

A newly discovered vent at Yellowstone National Park has caught the attention of researchers and tourists.

Maine Fisherman Pampers the Protected Lobsters He Catches With Claw Manicures

One Maine lobster fisherman goes the extra mile by taking care of the protected crustaceans he catches before returning them to the water.

A backpacker enjoys the view in Chugach State Park near Anchorage, Alaska.

The 10 U.S. Cities With the Most Green Space

From Chesapeake, Virginia, to Anchorage, Alaska, these cities offer plenty of parkland.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park tops the list.

The 10 Most Popular National Parks of 2024

Which U.S. national parks saw the most visitors in 2024? Super-popular spots included Yosemite, Acadia, and Glacier National Park.

These penguins are going to be living their best lives.

Older Penguins Moved to the New England Aquarium’s New ‘Retirement Island’

The New England Aquarium’s retirement area for penguins offers specialized healthcare and a peaceful habitat for elderly birds.

Room temperature is a frame of reference.

What Exactly Is ‘Room Temperature’?

Misunderstanding room temperature can have some surprisingly serious consequences.

Introducing the Woolly Devil, the Newest Plant Discovered in Big Bend National Park

The woolly devil—a recently identified plant species—has researchers intrigued because it belongs to a brand new genus.

The gray wolf is an endangered species in most of the U.S.

The 10 Best States for Wildlife Protection

Where does your state rank when it comes to wildlife conservation?

The Chimborazo hillstar is native to the Andes of Ecuador and southern Colombia.

Hummingbirds Found Nesting Together in Groups in Surprising First

An ornithologist discovered a hummingbird “hive” in Ecuador‘s High Andes—a major departure for the solitary animals.

Many alligators were found in Alachua County‘s sewage system.

At Least One Florida Sewage System Is Swimming With Alligators, Study Shows

Alligators living in the sewers isn’t just an urban legend.

Ancestral Puebloan ruins in Chaco Canyon National Historical Park.

How Pack Rats Solved a Chaco Canyon Mystery

Chaco Canyon was once the vibrant religious center of a Native American culture whose collapse long remained a mystery—until pack rat middens revealed an important clue.

The Tortured Soul of Mr. Delicious, Fast Food’s Most Bizarre Mascot

The middle-aged Mr. D promoted Rax Roast Beef by complaining about his mid-life crisis and nursing a hangover.

Scotland Has “No Intention” of Banning Cats, First Minister Confirms

The Scottish government won’t be rounding up people’s pets any time soon.

Gibellula pulchra is in the same genus as Gibellula attenboroughii.

Scientists Identify Fungus Turning Spiders Into “Zombies” in Northern Ireland

Researchers discovered a parasitic fungus that controls spiders‘ behavior, akin to the zombie ant fungus.

Worried about traction? One of these options can help.

Sand vs. Rock Salt vs. Kitty Litter: Which One Is Better on Icy Roads?

When it comes to winter road safety, which one should you use? It all depends on whether you’re looking to melt ice, gain traction, or both.

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