Environment

The changes and wonders of the natural world—and how human interaction influences animals, the ocean, and the rest of the environment.

Latest in Environment

a small bird with black, gray, and white, plumage solves a puzzle in a lab

Environment

Immigrating great tits learn from their new neighbors Immigrating great tits learn from their new neighbors

By Laura Baisas

Ripe tomatoes on green garden.

Science

They CRISPR’ed tomatoes to make them sweet and large They CRISPR’ed tomatoes to make them sweet and large

A diver from National Geographic Pristine Seas measures the world’s largest coral colony in the Solomon Islands.

Environment

World’s largest coral discovered and it’s longer than a blue whale World’s largest coral discovered and it’s longer than a blue whale

By Laura Baisas

a fire burns in the woods

Technology

Navigation app uses government data to help off-roaders avoid wildfire areas Navigation app uses government data to help off-roaders avoid wildfire areas

By Kristin Shaw

a colorful coral reef with fish swimming above it

Environment

Chlorine and cocoa butter may help disease-ridden corals Chlorine and cocoa butter may help disease-ridden corals

By Laura Baisas

Beluga Whale or White Whale, delphinapterus leucas, Adult

Science

Russian ‘spy whale’ was actually an aquatic guard turned ‘hooligan’ Russian ‘spy whale’ was actually an aquatic guard turned ‘hooligan’

a small baby gibbon with large eyes sits on its mother

Environment

Endangered newborn siamang gibbon is a ‘sign of hope’ Endangered newborn siamang gibbon is a ‘sign of hope’

By Laura Baisas

a new mollusc with a hood over its head

Science

New deep-sea slug catches crustaceans like a Venus fly trap New deep-sea slug catches crustaceans like a Venus fly trap

By Laura Baisas

Close up of blooming corpse flower

Environment

Scientists crack the mystery of why the corpse flower smells like death Scientists crack the mystery of why the corpse flower smells like death

Environment

How do you save a rainforest? Leave it alone. How do you save a rainforest? Leave it alone.

By Matt Simon / Grist

two leopards fighting in dirt

Environment

14 dramatic moments from the 2024 Nature’s Best Photo Awards 14 dramatic moments from the 2024 Nature’s Best Photo Awards

By Popular Science Team

storm clouds and a rainbow form over narrow islands. a lighthouse

Environment

10 striking snapshots from the Weather Photographer of the Year awards 10 striking snapshots from the Weather Photographer of the Year awards

By Popular Science Team

a yellow dog shakes excess water off of its fur

Environment

Why wet dogs shake so much Why wet dogs shake so much

By Laura Baisas

an elephant in a zoo enclosure holds a yellow hose in its trunk and uses the hose as a shower

Science

Watch a clever elephant use a hose to get clean Watch a clever elephant use a hose to get clean

By Laura Baisas

Chimpanzee playing a number-based game on a touch screen

Science

Like humans, chimps often perform tasks differently when crowds are watching Like humans, chimps often perform tasks differently when crowds are watching

Pocket gopher emerging from burrow

Environment

How a crew of gophers helped Mount St. Helens bounce back How a crew of gophers helped Mount St. Helens bounce back

bats on treadmills

Environment

Why scientists made vampire bats run on treadmills Why scientists made vampire bats run on treadmills

By Mack DeGeurin

a lone coyote in a forest looks into a camera lense

Environment

Coyotes appear to be thriving under pressure Coyotes appear to be thriving under pressure

By Laura Baisas

Close up of two rhesus monkeys

Science

43 rhesus macaques have escaped from South Carolina’s ‘Monkey Farm’ 43 rhesus macaques have escaped from South Carolina’s ‘Monkey Farm’

The ‘wild’ salmon on your menu might not be wild

Environment

The ‘wild’ salmon on your menu might not be wild The ‘wild’ salmon on your menu might not be wild

By Lauren Leffer