NATURE

Do Wombats Use Their Butts as Deadly Weapons?

An important investigation of the muscular marsupials’ bony backsides.

If you’re planning a trip to Cape Town, South Africa, think about using Uber Safari.

You Can Now Order a $200 South African Safari Through Uber

Uber just made it easy to see lions, cheetahs, and rhinos in South Africa.

Mount Everest is slowly getting more challenging for climbers.

Mount Everest Keeps Growing—a New Study May Help Explain Why

The world’s tallest peak is experiencing an 89,000-year-long growth spurt.

Gourds (left) and squash (right) are similar, but one shouldn’t be eaten.

Gourd vs. Squash: What’s the Difference?

Matters become more confusing when you add pumpkins to the mix.

More people get to witness Virginia’s beauty in fall.

Special Viewfinders at Virginia State Parks Let Colorblind Guests See Fall Foliage

Fall just got more colorful for colorblind visitors to Virginia’s state parks.

They may look weird, but they are perfectly fine to eat.

Why Do Some Pumpkins Have Warts?

Some gourds are bred to have a bumpy appearance.

PBS’s Woolly Mammoth Action Figure Recreates the Majestic Beast at 1:18 Scale

The shelf-sized mammoth comes with three sets of tusks, including one with battle damage.

Watch an Octopus Boss Around Fish to Track Down Prey

A new study shows that octopuses become bosses and fish become subordinates when the two species hunt together.

Two of the seven natural wonders of Africa: The wildebeest migration with Mount Kilimanjaro in the background.

Watch a Million Wildebeest Migrate Across the Serengeti

The antelopes’ annual migration has been called one of the seven natural wonders of Africa.

Scientists are concerned, and you should be too

Scientists Say Antarctica’s ‘Doomsday Glacier’ Could Be Gone Within 200 Years

Scientists warn that the loss of the Thwaites Glacier could raise global sea levels by 25 inches.

‘The Universe in 100 Colors: Weird and Wondrous Colors from Science and Nature’ (Sasquatch Books).

10 Historical Pigments—and Their Surprising Origins—from ‘The Universe in 100 Colors’

In their new book, Tyler Thrasher and Terry Mudge explore the origins of colors found rocks, animals, plants, and even space—including these 10 historical pigments with surprising histories.

A Los Angeles high school turned out to be a hotbed for fossils.

Millions of Marine Fossils Discovered Beneath Los Angeles High School

Millions of fossils, from shells to the largest known shark species, were unearthed beneath San Pedro High School.

Raking leaves is annoying—and totally unnecessary.

Leave the Leaves: Why Nature Experts Say You Shouldn’t Rake Your Yard This Fall

Good news for anyone who hates raking their lawn: You don’t have to.

Little brown bats like this one are at risk from white nose syndrome.

A Bright Side for Bats: Scientists Make Progress Against White Nose Syndrome

The deadly fungus has decimated bat populations across North America. But recently, scientists have found reasons to hope their efforts to save bats are working.

Zoolife lets you view animals live through your computer screen.

This Website Lets You View Animal Webcams From Over a Dozen Zoos

Skip the lines and spend your next day at the zoo online instead.

Linhares’ new law gives part of the ocean several protections.

Brazilian City Grants Legal Personhood to Ocean Waves in Historic First

Linhares in Brazil has taken a groundbreaking step by granting human rights to part of the ocean.

Watch Mesmerizing Footage of a Deep-Sea ‘Spaghetti Monster’

Bathyphysa conifera, or the flying spaghetti monster, can grow several feet long.

A breathtaking view of Wosnesenski Lake in Alaska’s Kachemak Bay State Park.

The Top 10 State Parks in the U.S.

These state parks are definitely worth the trip, according to reviewers on Tripadvisor.

Now is the perfect time to add the northern lights to your bucket list.

The 10 Most Affordable Places to See the Northern Lights

Planning to see the northern lights soon? Take a look at these hotel prices before booking your trip.

We'll see some gorgeous views later this month.

Don't Miss the Harvest Supermoon Partial Lunar Eclipse This Month

This fall, sky-gazers will be treated to a supermoon and a partial lunar eclipse on the same night.

Pinpoint the perfect weekend for leaf-peeping.

Get Excited for Fall With the 2024 Peak Foliage Map

Can't wait for fall? Start planning the ultimate leaf-peeping expedition now with this interactive map showing peak foliage predictions for 2024.

These creepy crawlers must defend themselves from many predators, such as lizards, snakes, and birds.

Tarantulas May Have Evolved Hair to Defend Against Army Ants

A new study on tarantulas reveals surprising insights into their relationship with army ants.

Porbeagle sharks can grow up to 12 feet long and can weigh around 500 pounds.

7-Foot Shark Likely Eaten By Great White in First Documented Attack of Its Kind

The new discovery could change the way scientists think about shark predation.

Shiitake mushrooms (left) are edible, while fly agaric (right) is extremely toxic, causing serious symptoms like dizziness, confusion, and hallucinations.

Mushrooms vs. Toadstools: What’s the Difference?

The definitions of toadstools and mushrooms are a bit intertwined.