Convenient Conveyance Spotlight 12.24.2020 For a jellyfish, there are few hitchhikers more harmful than this juvenile brown paper nautilus, and for the nautilus, few rides could be more handy.
Northern Lights from the Deep Spotlight 10.28.2020 What could easily be an atmospheric apparition is in fact a formidable predator, and a critical member of its strange, open-ocean ecosystem
The Gibbon’s Tail Article 10.14.2020 For the world’s rarest ape, survival may depend on stories passed down for centuries among the people of its Chinese island home.
A Novel Demise Spotlight 09.22.2020 Although we’ve marveled over carnivorous plants for centuries, the plants’ penchant for vertebrate flesh has been largely overlooked.
The Big Picture 2020 Photo Gallery 05.05.2020 From the beautiful to the bizarre, this photographic showcase of life on Earth shines a light on some of our planet’s most amazing species and places.
The Scent of Water Spotlight 12.10.2019 Most mammals can’t smell underwater, but Eurasian otters may have a way of sniffing out prey even while swimming.
Unexpected Playmate Spotlight 08.27.2019 A young humpback whale is spotted off the coast of Sri Lanka. Is it a sign of a promising trend, or just a fluke?
Enemy of My Enemy Spotlight 08.14.2019 An Amazonian frog finds refuge under the watchful compound gaze of a surprising guardian.
Lens of Time: Jaw Jumpers Video 07.30.2019 Sometimes the best solution to a sticky situation is a quick escape, and few escapes are faster than a trap-jaw ant’s.
Sucker Deception Spotlight 07.30.2019 Mesmerizing bioluminescence is a rare trait—and a clever lure—for this deep-sea drifter.
Ghosts of the Everglades Immersive 07.11.2019 Clinging to survival in shrinking swamps, ghost orchids are so elusive that their pollinators have remained unknown—until now. One team’s findings may help to save both the flower and its threatened home.
The Big Picture 2019 Photo Gallery 04.30.2019 From the beautiful to the bizarre, this photographic showcase of life on Earth shines a light on some of our planet’s most amazing species and places.
Deathly Beautiful Spotlight 04.18.2019 This picturesque battle between a blue dragon sea slug and a Portuguese man o’ war is a matter of life or death—for both parties.
Plight of the Platypus Photo Essay 04.18.2019 The more scientists learn more about this strange, elusive species, the more concerned they become about its future. But these new insights may ultimately help to save it.
Mighty Mom Spotlight 03.17.2019 One of the most attentive of all insect parents, this tiny treehopper fiercely defends her offspring until they’re fully grown, using her thorn-shaped headdress as both shield and intimidation tool.
Allure of the Flower Hat Spotlight 02.27.2019 What looks like a flamboyant fashion accessory is actually this jelly’s brilliant evolutionary strategy for attracting prey.
Mobile Home Spotlight 12.18.2018 This caterpillar combines next-level camouflage and shelter-building to disappear into one of the most vibrant and biodiverse ecosystems on the planet.
Spider House Rules Spotlight 11.06.2018 For these hunters, no right-sized target is off-limits—regardless of whether or not it has a backbone.
The Tuna Herders Photo Essay 11.06.2018 Climate change has forced these Galápagos sea lions to turn to a new food source. Since they can’t outswim their prey, they use wits and teamwork instead.
The Better to Bite You With Spotlight 10.23.2018 Finding—and defending—prime fruit-picking perches is no easy task in the rainforest, but toucans have a few tricks up their beaks.
