NATURE

Who would have thought a woodpecker could be so destructive.

Locals Shield Their Cars From Vandal Woodpecker in Rockport, Massachusetts

A territorial woodpecker has broken dozens of car mirrors in a bizarre springtime rampage.

A diver is about a meter behind the coelacanth discovered at a depth of 144 meters in North Maluku, Indonesia.

Scientists Capture First Footage of Ancient Coelacanth in Its Natural Habitat

Researchers in Indonesia have filmed a rare coelacanth nearly 500 feet underwater—marking the first time the fish has been recorded in its native environment.

Why Are the Blue Ridge Mountains Blue?

It’s more than a poetic name: the Blue Ridge Mountains really do appear blue, thanks to the human eye and Earth’s atmosphere.

Valerie proves that dachshunds are stronger than you might think.

“Impossible to Catch” Dachshund Lost in the Wilderness for 529 Days Is Finally Rescued

After escaping during a 2023 vacation, miniature dachshund Valerie survived in the wilderness alone for over a year.

There’s a new reason to visit Chattanooga.

Chattanooga, Tennessee, Is Now the First National Park City in North America

Chattanooga has come a long way from being one of the most polluted cities in the country to the U.S.’s first National Park City.

Interactive Cicada Map Shows Where You Can See (and Hear) Brood XIV This Spring

Use this map from the University of Connecticut to check if 17-year periodical cicadas will appear in your neighborhood soon.

Plastic pollution can have devastating consequences for national parks.

This App Lets National Park Visitors Report Trash and Plastic Pollution

Plastic waste sullies national parks. This app can help clean it up.

A Scottish wildcat, likely with some domestic house cat mixed in.

8 Animals That Recently Went Extinct

These fluffy, scaly, and feathered friends will be missed.

The 15 Top-Trending National Parks for Campers

Planning your next adventure? These national parks are campers’ top picks for stunning views and unforgettable hikes.

‘Why, yes, I am from Long Island! How did you know?’

Do Animals Have Regional Accents?

Can a Boston dog bahk?

Sea Pigs, Sea Spiders, and More Bizarre Creatures Collected Off Antarctica

Researchers witness strange sea animals, including poisonous sea pigs and hand-sized sea spiders, while sailing to the Denman Glacier.

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.

The Burj Khalifa takes center stage in this skyline view of Dubai.

The 10 Most Expensive Tourist Photo Spots

Some travel photos come with a hefty price tag. See which destinations top the list of the priciest and most popular places to take a picture.

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.

Plums are only one of the fruits that the grafted tree can grow.

Temple University Welcomes Tree Bred to Grow 40 Different Fruits

Artist Sam Van Aken grafted a tree that grows dozens of fruit varieties from a single trunk.

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.

Here‘s a scenic view of the Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch glacier in Switzerland.

The 10 Most Underrated UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Europe

These underrated World Heritage Sites offer history, beauty, and adventure away from the crowds.

Crouching isn’t going to do a whole lot for you in a thunderstorm.

Why Crouching During a Lightning Storm Is Probably a Bad Idea

Guidance on kneeling when lightning strikes is well-intentioned, but it’s actually not the best course of action.

They‘re cute but also unlikely to survive in the wilderness.

Dachshund Refuses to Come Home After Surviving on a Wild Island for Over a Year

A miniature dachshund named Valerie has defied the odds, evading capture and surviving in the wild for over a year.

Scientists have captured little chirps from rig sharks (also known as ‘lemon fish‘ and ‘spotted dogfish,‘ according to the NIWA).

Listen to a Shark ‘Chirp’ in First-of-Its-Kind Audio Recording

For the first time, researchers have documented a shark producing sound.