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Find out what taxonomy means and why it’s important to classify life on Earth.

Dark brown was in fashion for mammals and their relatives over 150 million years ago.

Looking fit is no guarantee of health for one of the world’s most plastic polluted birds.

The ancient human species Homo luzonensis is one of the most recent branches to be added to the human evolutionary tree.

A voyage to the Pacific has been investigating previously unexplored regions of the deep sea.

Understanding one of the largest groups of plants in the world could help tackle world hunger.

A rather uninspiring specimen in the Natural History Museum’s collection has an extraordinary tale to tell.

The UK could have lower bills, cleaner air and better energy security in a net zero future.

Our species has been living in tropical forests for at least 150,000 years.

Explore impressive adaptations animals have evolved for coping with sub-zero temperatures.

Finding out exactly when feathers evolved, and which animals had them, could offer important new insights into the distant past.

It’s believed that biofluorescence helps the birds to stand out or hide in their tropical forest habitats.

Photographer Jaime Rojo brings to life the perilous journey of these iconic butterflies and the efforts to save them.

Just 47 unprovoked shark attacks were recorded in 2024.

Baminornis zhenghensis shows early birds already had some of their key characteristics by the Late Jurassic.

Vegavis iaai might offer new insights into the origins of modern birds.

Find out how Homo sapiens left Africa and migrated to other regions of the world, including Europe, Asia and America.

Ian Wood’s photo No Access fought off competition from 24 other images to emerge victorious.

Samples from the asteroid Bennu contain some of the ingredients needed for life to develop.

The surface of the ocean is warming four times faster than it was 40 years ago.

The remains of the earliest dinosaurs could lie beneath the Amazon rainforest and the Sahara Desert.

Find out key facts about our species, Homo sapiens, and how we evolved.

Over 15,000 mounds are scattered across Mars’ lowlands – but until recently, no one knew how they got there.

Conch snails make death-defying leaps to evade deadly predators.

New research reveals that damage to these environments is pushing freshwater animals to the edge of extinction.

The passenger pigeon was once the most numerous bird in the world, but in just half a century, it had gone extinct.

The UK’s biggest-ever site of dinosaur footprints has been discovered in Oxfordshire.

Planetary scientist and meteorite expert Dr Ashley King shares his tips on how to get the best view.

Discover what causes the colourful lights of the aurora borealis.

Delve in to the wonderful world of birds and discover their incredible behaviour through photos from our Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition. 

Millions of years before modern birds evolved, their dinosaur ancestors were soaring through the air.

A previously unknown rock type at the new Mars rover landing site is revealing more about the red planet.

Our species mated with the Neanderthals much later than thought, tearing up the timeline of human evolution.

Spinosaurs, tyrannosaurs and relatives of Velociraptor once stalked England’s south coast.

Threordatoth chasmatos was one of the last survivors of a once-widespread group of lizard-like animals.

The whale-sized shastasaurids went extinct over 200 million years ago.

Researchers are probing what it means to be a separate species.

Buried alongside this individual were a range of symbolic objects.

The 350 elephants died because of a toxic algal bloom exacerbated by climate change.

The fossils show Homo erectus and Paranthropus boisei lived alongside each other.

This year the People’s Choice category features a curious chimp, a dancing crab and a snuffling sengi.

Protecting a little bit more of the ocean could lead to big changes for whales.

New research has revealed how birds changed from rigid raptors to flexible fowl.

This is the first mainland European bird declared extinct in 500 years.

A breakthrough fossil discovery is changing what we know about some of the largest mammals to ever walk the Earth.

A remarkable fossil could transform our understanding of how the intelligence of modern birds evolved.

Rising temperatures are pushing many species to the brink, alongside disease, pollution and unsustainable fishing.

Even the most blurry photo can be consequential.

Nations are meeting in Azerbaijan to discuss the future of our changing Earth.

The story of how animals first set foot out of the water and onto land just became more complex.

While some progress was made, crucial decisions on protecting nature will be left until next year after the meeting ran out of time.

Even the world’s most successful wild animal isn’t safe from rising temperatures.

Lomankus edgecombei has been preserved in fool's gold.

In 1982, the company managing the Santo Niño copper mine packed up and left. The local community is dealing with its toxic legacy.

Discover the importance of the oceans to life on Earth, the problems facing these waters and how to conserve them.

An evolutionary ‘air race’ may have been taking place in forests during the age of dinosaurs.

Algae and coral have lived together for over 380 million years.

New research is now mapping where these vital regions are.

The risk of wildfires is rising, and it’s only likely to get worse.

Our butterfly expert talks about her life, passions and the power of perspectives.

Tests on 11 dolphins in the USA revealed every one had tiny pieces of plastic in their breath.

Worms and snails are living in cavities under the bottom of the sea.

The WWF’s Living Planet Report comes with a stark warning that we are reaching a point of no return for nature. 

Passing 1.5⁰C of warming is a step that cannot easily be undone.

Arthropleura's head reveals that millipedes and centipedes are closely related.

Shane Gross awarded the Grand Title for Wildlife Photographer of the Year 60.

Climate change is putting the future of the biggest fish in the world at risk.

School grounds are one of the most under-recorded urban environments in the UK.

Every species extinction is bad, but the impacts are worse when we consider the ecosystem functions that are also lost.

A new species of moth has been discovered 7,000 kilometres from home.

Get the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about these fascinating, slithering reptiles.

It took a controversial conservation tactic to prevent these giant vultures from going extinct. 

Some seabirds might have a ‘sixth sense’ at the end of their beak, new research reveals.

Find out the different ways scientists have of describing what species are, how they form and how many there are on Earth. 

Fossils discovered in northern Australia mark the beginning of a 25-million-year-old family.

Researchers have proposed changing the common name of the flesh-footed shearwater.

Each year, 52 million tonnes of plastic waste enters the environment.

Food security and biodiversity are threatened by the chemicals contaminating our soils.

The earliest ancestors of birds looked noticeably different from the creatures familiar to us today, reflecting their dinosaur origins.

The power of machine learning could be used to protect threatened fishes.

Celebrate the wonder of the natural world with some of the most extraordinary images of our planet.

Some of Earth’s most successful herbivores may have had hundreds of thousands of teeth in their lifetime.

We’ve been using guano for more than 1,500 years, but our demand for it has had a devastating impact on the birds that produce it.

More and more land will be shared between people and wildlife by 2070.

Humans are having a devastating effect on biodiversity, but the impacts might be worse than we thought.

Despite their fame, astonishingly little is known about these large, flightless birds.

The prime suspect in the extinction of the dinosaurs was no ordinary asteroid.

Northern Scotland is among the quarter of Europe that could be suitable for rewilding.

The jawbone of Ontocetus posti helps to reveal how the animals became specialised suction feeders.

The social skinks are helping scientists answer fundamental questions about evolution.

Tiny teeth are revealing the roots of the modern mammal lifestyle.

Find out the facts about palm oil and its impact on the health of rainforests.

Ferganoceratodus edwardsi suggests that many ancient lungfish are more closely related than first thought.

Plant infections can now be detected in our crops before they’re even visible.

Genetically removing the prickles from crops could have huge benefits for agriculture.

With wingspans that stretched a whopping 71 centimetres, these epic insects would have blocked out the Sun as they flew past.  

Sound artist Jana Winderen talks about her experiences recording underwater noises and exploring sound pollution in our waters. 

We’ve been underestimating the importance of partially logged forests.

A three-dimensional preserved fossil larva has been found to contain traces of internal organs.

The North Sea’s oil and gas rigs impact more than the atmosphere.

Detachable, autonomous penis arms – need we say more?

A molar found in sand from south London could shed light on the last days of an ancient mammal.

Iron-rich enamel helps the world’s largest living lizard to keep its teeth sharp.

Find out what wildlife you can see at our ponds and how they support life in our gardens.

From hidden highlights to star sights and surprising sounds, explore 12 treasures in our new gardens.

Scientists are studying microbial structures in extreme environments to learn more about early life.

Our latest attraction stands tall over the new gardens.

Experience the connection between rocks and life in our new Evolution Garden where rocks, fossils, plants and sculpture tell a story of evolution and geological change.

Ancient DNA has been reconstructed in three dimensions for the first time ever using a 52,000-year-old mammoth.

Comptonatus chasei is the newest member of the Iguanodon family.

The past year has been more than 1.5⁰C hotter than it was over than a century ago.

Growing food on land can be challenging and costly for the planet. Discover how seaweed farming offers a solution.

The rib bone suggests that the Denisovans may have been living in eastern Asia as recently as 32,000 years ago.

An unlikely alliance between a nature charity and a railway has created a haven for birdlife in Essex.

Some of the best three-dimensionally preserved fossil trilobites have been revealed from Morocco.

Only 1,000 Bornean elephants are thought to be left in the wild.

The iconic marine molluscs might be alive today had Earth not been struck by a meteorite.

Artificial hotspots might be able to help frogs fight off chytridiomycosis.

A new species of 237-million-year-old reptile has been uncovered in Brazil.

Some leeches aren’t just passive parasites but might actively hunt for food.

Boosting biodiversity and locking away more carbon from our atmosphere than forests, wetlands are incredible ecosystems.

By the end of the Jurassic Period, dinosaurs ruled our planet. But how they became such a diverse group remains a mystery.

Scientists are trying to unravel the mysteries of an extinction event that occured in North America at the end of the Jurassic.

Discover the extraordinary diversity of sex and sexual behaviour in nature.

One of the world’s largest migrations is made by some of its smallest inhabitants.

Amalophyllon miraculum reveals that the region’s biodiversity may not have suffered as badly as first feared.

The newly described Myloplus sauron highlights how little we know about South America’s biodiversity.

Uncover the past, present and future of cattle and what this means for climate change and nature.

By sequencing airborne eDNA, a new project hopes to find out more about the UK’s wildlife.

While the researchers describing Buronius manfredschmidi claim it is a new species, not all scientists are convinced.

As soon as you scratch the surface, the weirder and weirder bivalves get.

A vast colony of breeding seabirds experienced “unprecedented” mortality.

Increasing urbanisation is putting pressure on many birds. Here are 11 top tips for helping your local feathered friends.

After more than a century of searching, the head of one of the largest ever birds has been found.

Musankwa sanyatiensis is just the fourth dinosaur species ever found from Zimbabwe.

Dandelions, buttercups and brambles might help to answer some of the biggest questions in botany.

From the tallest and the heaviest to giant nests and extra-long toes, discover the world’s record-breaking birds. 

Seal diversity is just a snapshot of the species that used to exist. 

An ancient worm may have dragged itself along the sea floor, consuming whatever prey it could find.

New research into the Sun's magnetism could make solar storms easier to predict.

Seagrass meadows store carbon, safeguard shorelines and support marine life. But they’re disappearing at a rapid rate.

Some of the UK’s most recognisable birds are vanishing before our eyes.

The first animal communities could have impacted on how complex life evolved over 550 million years ago.

Looking back at the story of the Tasmanian tiger, the echoes of colonialism and its impact on Australia’s wildlife today. 

A new project to kickstart conservation for some of the world’s rarest fishes is making a splash.

New research suggests that Europe hasn’t had as warm a summer since the time of the Romans.

Sal Chebbah talks about her love of mushrooms and how they can bind communities together. 

Protections for the world’s oceans need strengthening, a new report suggests.

Ocean warming is threatening coral reefs but some reefs are surviving the warming waters and offer hope for these vital ecosystems.

It is the first time a wild animal has been seen applying a medicinal plant to an injury.

Making our gardens earthworm friendly could help urban spaces become more resilient.

From helping us grow our food to tackling our plastic waste problem, fungi can help us achieve a more sustainable future.

Scientists now know more about how the three-metre-long Oncorhynchus rastrosus might have looked.

Every year thousands of elephants are still killed for their ivory.

A fossil jawbone, which may belong to the largest marine reptile ever discovered, has been found in Somerset.

The largest urban rewilding project in the UK is happening on an old golf course.

The lesser flamingo is in danger of losing its feeding and breeding grounds.

The positivity and radical power of Flock Together – the UK’s first birdwatching collective for and by people of colour – as told by its members.

For the first time in 100 years, Atlantic salmon are once again spawning in the upper waters of the River Derwent.

What are those milky white splatters – are they pee or poo?

Since 2020, millions of birds have been struck down by avian influenza, but Oceania remains virus free.

It proposes an entirely new group of birds that connects the smallest flying birds to the largest.

Taking part in the UK’s Big Butterfly Count has been found to reduce anxiety by almost 10%.

Discover the fascinating, gelatinous world of jellyfish, from painful stings to brilliant bioluminescence. 

The melting of the polar ice caps is affecting how fast our planet spins.

An international team of scientists have spent the last few weeks finding out what is living 4,000 metres beneath the surface.

Electric eels are like living batteries, but how does their amazing electric-shock ability work?

Kermitops gratus highlights the number of specimens waiting to be described in the world’s museums.

The spectacled cormorant went extinct almost 200 years ago – but almost nothing is known about its life.

With their soft unfurling fronds, ferns are fabulous. In fact, we love them so much, we’ve filled our new Evolution Garden with them.

This rare find gives scientists an insight into how trees shaped life on land 390 million years ago.

We now know more about the threats affecting birds than ever before.

Learn about Barbary macaques and the challenges they face.

A select group of toothed whales may have doubled their lifespan to become better grandparents.

New research is cutting male mammals down to size.

Killing predators comes with big prize money in the USA. Photographer Karine Aigner goes behind the scenes of contests where hunters win and nature loses.

Some of the world’s largest and most unusual fishes could be wiped out.

Royal Mail is releasing a trove of new palaeontological-themed stamps.

It may look like it’s fallen to Earth from space, but the star-nosed mole is perfectly adapted to its wet soil habitats.

The orcas have learnt to catch and eat young great white sharks in less than two minutes.

A new generation of palaeontologists is rising up to tell the stories of these important animals.

As many as 100 new species of deep-sea animals may have been discovered living on undersea mountains.

Our scientists have been digging tiny holes in soil in allotments, gardens and museum lawns around the country.

Giving communities a greater say over mining could help to speed up the transition to net zero.

Within the world of dinosaurs Xu Xing is a globally important figure.

They might not have legs, but snakes are outpacing their relatives in the race to evolve.

The cacophony in the oceans is preventing whales from making themselves heard.

The discoveries that changed our understanding of dinosaurs over the past two centuries.

A new study of Tridentinosaurus suggests that preserved skin is just black paint.

Named in honour of two dedicated conservationists, the discovery of the spiders could help to protect at-risk forests on St Helena.

Satellite images have revealed a missing 64,000 square kilometres of coral cover, an area similar to the size of Ireland.

‘I love snails and slugs! I just think they’re fascinating,’ says Jon Ablett, our Curator of Molluscs. 

The first State of the World’s Migratory Species report found that countries aren’t doing enough to save threatened species.

Nima Sarikhani’s stunning picture of a sleeping polar bear was crowned 2023's People's Choice.

A new study has allowed scientists to see how populations of fish differ through their DNA.

Discovered in Scotland, Ceoptera evansae has been named as a new species of pterosaur. 

Has the world already passed a critical level of global warming? A new paper claims so.

Seaweeds play a vital role in the modern world, but their existence is under threat.

The fishing of sandeels in the UK’s portion of the North Sea will be banned from April.

The first modern humans to live in northern Europe arrived more than 45,000 years ago.

Meet the fish with many faces: famous inflatables, fatal poisoners and even romantic artists.

Take a virtual tour of the Natural History Museum and explore the astonishing diversity of the natural world.

Invasive ants are reducing tree cover on the savannah, causing lions to hunt buffalo over zebra.

Dinosaur expert Professor Paul Barrett answers your questions about the prehistoric reptiles that once ruled our world.

Wells, streams and springs are in danger of going dry as we take water out of the ground faster than it can be replaced.

Scientists have successfully managed to perform IVF on a rhino for the first time.

The private collections of Sir Hans Sloane formed the basis of the British Museum, the Natural History Museum and the British Library.

A jawbone fragment overlooked for more than 100 years was once part of a nine-metre-long ancient whale.

It’s said that you are what you eat – and that’s certainly true of toothed whales.

Seabirds in the Pacific Ocean are eating plastic and feeding it to their chicks.

Going back to basics could help to unlock the mysteries of our origins.

Our scientists have contributed papers on everything from deep sea diversity to marsupial evolution.

The Natural History Museum has teamed up once more with The Royal Mint.

A school science experiment is answering questions that are out of this world.

A case of mistaken fossil identity has been resolved after 20 years.

Fossils are physical evidence of prehistoric animals and plants, but there may be more to them than you ever realised.

An extraordinary dinosaur fossil has revealed what young tyrannosaurs were eating over 70 million years ago.

Nations around the world have agreed to protect 30% of the land and sea by the year 2030.

The oldest disease-causing fungus on record has been found in the Natural History Museum’s collection.

The mystery of the whipnose anglerfish’s extraordinarily long lure might have finally been solved.

Almost half of marine mammals around the UK are being poisoned by banned chemicals.

Welcome to the next era of natural history collections. 

Specimens of the hitchhiking insect have been sitting undescribed in the Museum’s collections since 1886.

Can creativity carve out more space for nature in our towns and cities?

A new study suggests that levels of ozone have declined by as much as 26% over the south pole.

Variations in the skull shape of vultures have been found to coincide with the preferred method each species uses to feed on a carcass.

Their style of mating is more similar to birds than any known mammal.

Crocodiles have a deep and varied evolutionary past.

Jaculinykus yaruui is thought to have dug for food using an enormous thumb on each hand.

Discover the contribution of Black people to the field of natural history.

Microplastics in the atmosphere might encourage the formation of clouds.

Discover the unexpected wildlife living the high life in cities and towns and the positive difference green roofs can make to an area.

Katydids have been using ultrasounds for millions of years to try and avoid predators hearing them.

The species has only been found once on the side of the inactive volcano. 

The dramatic decline in biodiversity is the result of agricultural change, pollution and habitat loss.

It takes time, endless patience and skill to transform a fossil into a museum-worthy exhibit. 

Once a remote and impenetrable region, the Arctic is opening up like never before. Here, in the most northerly region on Earth the effects of climate change are felt at full force. 

A question that has puzzled scientists for over 150 years may finally have been answered.

Putting Martian meteorites in a nuclear reactor has confirmed their curiously young age.

The same useful traits appear again and again in nature.

Our Evolution Garden shows how plant life has changed over time and includes lots of examples that dinosaurs would recognise.

The Natural History Museum’s collections are helping scientists to get a handle on how evolution works.

Earth’s climate is entering “uncharted territory” – and we have no idea what’s coming next. 

Professor Chris Stringer, our longest-serving researcher, is set to be honoured for his contributions to human evolution.

Your dog could have its day as part of a new scientific study.

More surprising is that the vast majority of herpetology records are unsexed.

The last remaining wildernesses on Earth could be swept away to feed humanity’s growing appetite.

Dental plaque may help to reveal what prehistoric humans ate.

Seaweeds are vital for the health of our planet, but we are unaware of just how threatened they might be.

Trilobites survived for more than 250 million years. But what made them some of the most successful early animals?

The tropical crops may face an uncertain future amid rising temperatures and habitat loss.

The image, titled The Golden Horseshoe, has won Laurent Ballesta his second Wildlife Photographer of the Year Grand Title award.

Sharks have been around for millions of years. Their teeth are some of the most common fossils you can find.

Investing in natural history collections could offer new scientific and economic opportunities.

African wildlife is more than twice as likely to flee from the sound of humans than lions.

Amphibians are the most threatened group of vertebrates in the world.

Human bones with cutmarks, breaks and human chewing marks are found across northern Europe. 

The National Education Nature Park will create a network of green spaces right across the country.

This ancient human was once thought to be the first to make stone tools, but is this true?

Wildlife in the UK has declined on average by 19% since monitoring began in 1970.

Researchers are hot on the trail of Morocco’s missing dinosaurs.

For the first time ever, researchers have found a trilobite’s final meal.

Around the world, over 3,600 whales and dolphins are being kept in captivity.

From the headless chicken monster to anal teeth, discover the curious world of sea cucumbers. 

If you know what you’re looking at, little bits of bone can add up to something big. 

OSIRIS-REx returned to Earth with a record-breaking amount of material from an asteroid dating back to the birth of our solar system.

Though the Portland plesiosaur made headlines in the 1960s, it has never been formally described.

New research on the 450-million-year-old Eriptychius suggests it could be a ‘missing link’ in the evolution of the vertebrate skull.

Find out if you're an above-average insect spotter with this quiz.

Rising temperatures and habitat loss could spell an uncertain future for bumblebees in Europe.

Red imported fire ants are one of the world’s most damaging invasive species.

A species of bacteria that lived 407 million years ago would have flourished among early land plants.

When we live alongside nature, we end up happier and healthier. We might even end up rewilding ourselves.

Only four confirmed specimens are known to science.

A marine predator living over 500 million years ago might bridge the gap between insects and their ancient relatives.

Almost 99% of all human ancestors may have been wiped out around 930,000 years ago, a new paper has claimed.

The group may have evolved tens of millions of years later than originally thought.

Sharing the honour with Professor Sir Christopher Whitty the pair were given the award in recognition for their work during the pandemic.

The breeding failure of four emperor penguin colonies is a sign of things to come, researchers have warned.

If the worst case predictions of climate change come to pass, rainforests could be at serious risk.

A new study demonstrates the extraordinary ability of whales to develop new ways of feeding.

Sea urchins can be found in every ocean on Earth. They’ve been around for 450 million years - but are they now at risk?

Whiskers may have been crucial to allow seals to adopt a life in water.

The new species, named Venetoraptor gassenae, suggests that the lagerpetids were more diverse than previously realised.

Bivalves have been touted as a food of the future – but wild populations might not last that long.

Elephants and their relatives evolved in a previously unappreciated way.

Melting polar ice caps may have pushed some of the first ancient humans out of Europe.

Discover a treasure trove of fossils just off Britain’s south coast.

Nile crocodiles may have a limited ability to understand our emotions.

Discover seven highlights from our exhibition Titanosaur: Life as the Biggest Dinosaur and uncover the secrets of the largest known animal to have ever walked the planet. 

The discovery of a new parasitoid wasp could help to save an Endangered Pacific butterfly.

NASA’s Perseverance rover may have discovered organic molecules on the surface of Mars.

One of the UK’s most famous meteorites is helping scientists learn more about asteroids millions of kilometres away.

Fossils found in Peru are redefining the history of whale evolution.

All it takes is a bit of practice and plenty of patience.

Sea snakes are often feared. But are they dangerous or do we just need to get to know them better?

Artificial reefs attract fish, which can improve the ability of seagrass to lock up more carbon dioxide beneath the waves.

The pattern of diversity in the deep sea is more complex than first thought.

Our scientists have been looking for a rock that formed so long ago it was on Earth before complex life lived on land.

Ticks are becoming increasingly common in the UK and can carry a health risk for people and pets.

A newly described palm species from Borneo has been discovered with the unusual phenomenon of producing its fruit and flowers below ground.

A 500-million-year-old murder mystery has been solved.

How much do you know about these incredible marine reptiles?

A new statue is joining the world’s oldest display of extinct wildlife in south London.

The asteroids 28994 Helenabates and 31551 Ashleyking are part of the main asteroid belt, a collection of rocky debris left over from the solar system’s beginning.

International scientists must overcome many obstacles to obtain research posts in the UK.

The quote will form part of the newly developed gardens at the Museum.

A new report offers a path to recover England's woodlands, one that could increase the country's biodiversity from the mid-2040s onwards.

The Victorian grassland earless dragon was last seen in 1969, but recent surveys of its habitat have revealed new populations of the species.

Hear stories from the front line of the planetary emergency, as well as solutions from nature, science and people power.

A new climate change report reveals that Europe is heating up fast, but expanded use of renewable energy offers some hope for the future.

An array of charming specimens collected from South Asia.

Cuckoos are being forced into riskier migrations to get ahead of the competition. 

Neanderthals might have been making some of Europe’s oldest art thousands of years before the arrival of humans.

Jose Fragozo’s image The Disappearing Giraffe captures the contrast between the natural world and human infrastructure.

Who's hitting the high notes in the insect orchestra? Despite their small size, they sure know how to make themselves heard.

In some places, it's estimated that up to 70% of beach sand has gone through the guts of parrotfish.

The remains of the armoured dinosaur were discovered on the Isle of Wight.

Our ancient relatives may have reached southeast Asia over 10,000 years earlier than thought.

We interview photographer Gregor Sailer about his experiences of working in the Arctic ahead of our newest exhibition The Polar Silk Road. 

The ancient relative of some of the largest ever animals may have been lighter than some humans.

The oldest group of lizards has just gained their newest member.

Our South Asian scientists share their research and their favourite specimen.

An ichthyosaur fossil found in Svalbard is finally revealing its secrets 15 years after it was discovered.

An insect that can be hazardous to human health is spreading across southeast England.

A previously unappreciated group of lifeforms are changing what we know about the evolution of life on Earth.

Kangaroos spring up faster when they’re living with their predators.

Our top tips for how to see nocturnal animals as they go about their busy lives after dark. 

New claims argue that the ancient human species Homo naledi buried their dead and made engravings.

Five species are set to receive greater legal protection under a new extension to the UK’s ivory ban.

Meet the creatures that really are part of your world.

The bivalves appear to have been left behind in history’s biggest ever burst of evolution.

New research reveals that Yersinia pestis was widespread across Europe during the Bronze Age, thousands of years before the Black Death.

A new fossil predator has offered an insight into the chaotic final years of the largest extinction of all time over 250 million years ago.

These characterful creatures also have amazing regeneration abilities.

Justin chats about the challenges involved in getting a PhD placement and maintaining a work-life balance.

Many regions of the deep sea are currently being explored for the potential to mine them.

Primate poo is revealing how pollutants are affecting threatened species in the wild.

Who gets water when there's not enough for everyone? Morgan Heim's image captures the moment of relief as groundwater gushes from a ditch in the parched Klamath Basin.

The Museum is as a finalist for the world's largest museum prize.

Over 85% of methane emissions aren't being regulated by governments around the world.

Mammal evolution has been flipped on its head, according to new research that suggests marsupials are the more evolved mammals.

Protathlitis cinctorrensis is the latest to be discovered in Spain, adding to the evidence that spinosaurs first evolved in Europe.

The world is rapidly running out of time to halt rising temperatures.

Urban soundtracks allow us to listen in to wildlife, from calling birds and shouting foxes to chirping insects and quiet worms.

Most of the declining species are farmland birds.

Exceptionally well-preserved fossils from the Cambrian period have helped fill a gap in our understanding of the origin and evolution of major animal groups alive today.

An unprecedented look at potato genetics could help to tackle world hunger.

While there are currently only two members of the genus Saurona, many more as-yet-undescribed species are thought to exist.

Scientists have developed an ambitious new tool which monitors the monthly changes in Wikipedia pageviews for thousands of species.

Think you know your birds from your bees? 

A new technique allows researchers to extract the DNA of people who have handled bone artefacts, giving clues about prehistoric cultures.

Digital reconstructions of broken fossils have revealed more about the life of an ancient crocodile-like predator.

Get to know the Arctic’s most friendly faced white whales.

Thai PhD student Chawatat investigates the hidden lives of Southeast Asian bumblebees.

Scientists have recorded plants producing airborne sounds in response to lack of water or having their stems damaged.

The bird flu pandemic has reached West Africa after being detected in Senegal and The Gambia.

Named after its prominent ear-like fins, there's much more to this fascinating octopus than its adorable appearance.

Great white sharks are some of the world's most misunderstood animals. There is much more to these sensitive fish than just a big bite.

Despite its global popularity, the origin and history of the henna plant remains hidden.

Traces of ice algae have been found in many animal groups revealing the critical importance of algae and the sea ice on which it grows to the fragile Arctic ecosystem.

While species focusing on bees produce more floral odours, those focusing on fruit flies make fruitier smells. 

New research suggests that ichthyosaurs may have pre-dated the age of the dinosaurs after surviving Earth's largest mass extinction event.

The insects were frozen in time after being caught in amber, revealing rare evidence of how dinosaurs and insects interacted.

Named after a Hindu god, it is hoped that resurrecting the species will focus conservation attention on at-risk habitats.

On 14 April 2023, the Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (Juice) mission blasted off to Jupiter. 

The isolated teeth were identified using machine learning models, and could represent some of the earliest relatives of birds ever discovered.

Bird populations in the UK continue to freefall as the government moves further away from achieving its own targets to protect nature.

52-million-year-old fossils of Icaronycteris gunnelli offer researchers a deeper look at how bats evolved.

Explore our collections and discover some of the many specimens you won't see on a regular visit to the Museum. 

A gradual decline in biodiversity may have led to a more devastating ecosystem collapse during the Permian-Triassic mass extinction.

The dwarf reed snake startles potential threats before using a burst of speed to disappear into the undergrowth.

An expedition to some of the Earth's deepest ocean trenches has broken records for deep-sea fish.

Spring is an important time of year for birds to get cracking laying eggs and raising chicks. But first they need to build their nests.

Levels of some ozone-damaging gases are on the rise, despite a global ban on their production.

Museum PhD student Eva researches deep-sea animal biodiversity in the Pacific Ocean.

The Cretaceous Period is famous for ending with a massive asteroid impact, but what was our planet like in the millions of years before that?

Rather than keeping them permanently exposed, like crocodiles, a new study suggests the teeth of theropods would have been kept behind lips.

Whales started becoming big early in their evolution – and kept going for millions of years.

Dinosaurs are the largest land animals to ever live. Titanosaurs were the biggest of them all. Explore how they were able to grow to such a size.

A serendipitous discovery revealed that a beautiful mineral has been hiding a secret for over 170 years.

Amphibians the size of crocodiles once lurked along the shores of ancient South Africa.

Humans have increasingly determined the future of elephants over recent centuries.

As many as 50 beavers could be living in Somerset and Wiltshire, Natural England has revealed.

Microplastics aren't just affecting large animals, they're also affecting microscopic species too.

The body mass of young shearwaters has deteriorated in just over a decade, with plastic consumption believed to be the most likely cause.

Development in Key Biodiversity Areas poses a risk to the stability and survival of unique ecosystems.

The specimens and objects held in museums around the world represent an astonishing resource. 

Why are elusive spectacled bears roaming Quito's city limits?

The date palm plays a significant role in evolution, religion and culture.

22 rewilding schemes will share £850,000 to help bring back nature in the UK's capital city.

The latest climate report reveals that the world is more than capable of tackling climate change, but current action simply isn't enough.

We're the UK's most popular indoor attraction for the second year running.

Bumblebees develop new 'trends' in their behaviour by watching and learning from other members of the group.

Almost a third of Mauritius' native fruits are no longer being dispersed as no animals are big enough to swallow their seeds.

The discovery was made three decades after the species was first uncovered as scientists try to understand more about how sauropods evolved in what is now eastern Asia.

With the number of satellites expected to increase by over six times by 2030, there are calls for a new treaty to curb space pollution.

Find out why dung beetles eat poo and how some use the Sun and stars when they travel.

Climate change is thought to be responsible for bringing more extreme weather to the continent, which is exacerbating a long term decline in nest numbers.

Of the almost 3,500 British plant species, non-native plants now outnumber native species by 51% to 49%.

An outbreak of bird flu has swept the world over the past year, raising fears that humans could become more vulnerable.

The oldest colonial animal might actually be one of the oldest types of seaweed.

The simple act of watching birds opens a window onto a whole other world right on your doorstep. 

Southern right whale numbers have bounced back since the end of whaling, and they got up close and personal with one photojournalist.

Nations have reached a historic agreement to protect the world's oceans from exploitation.

A new disease has been described in seabirds, but it might just be the tip of the iceberg.

The underside of their tails have feathers that are whiter than any others ever measured.

Explore the stories of the giant redwoods and the extraordinary Cherokee man Sequoyah, who influenced their name.

While conservationists have welcomed the announcement, they've also raised concerns that the proposals aren't enough to protect vulnerable marine habitats.

Ancient Norwegian and Greek literature may have described trap feeding as much as 2,000 years before it was first observed in 2011.

While these strandings are thought to be the result of an unseasonably stormy year, climate change could make them more common in future.

One of the most heavily militarised borders in the world has become a haven for nature.

Thérèse Coffey has told farmers that she does not support reintroducing wolves and lynx to the English countryside.

Natural ponds come and go. They fill up when it's wet and empty when it’s dry. Pond wildlife has learnt to live in these changeable worlds in remarkable ways.

Museum Palaeontologist Cassius discusses and promotes inclusivity within science and other workplaces.

As light pollution continues to increase around the world, the stars above Ynys Enlli remain much as our ancestors would have seen them.

Get to know some of the largest dinosaurs to have ever walked the planet. 

Able to contract faster than a racing car, Spirostomum's abilities could one day be copied to develop faster machines.

Kumimanu fordycei weighed an estimated 150 kilogrammes, demonstrating that penguins became large early in their evolution.

A fossil found in northern Britain is revealing insights into the behaviour of a 166-million-year-old carnivorous dinosaur.

The race is on to learn more about these fragile forests as human impacts threaten their survival.

While some argue de-extinction could help to restore damaged ecosystems, others believe it is an expensive distraction from the threats facing living species.

It may have been a case of matter over mind for dinosaurs which lived around water.

Early humans, and an ancient relative, may have been using complex stone tools as early as three million years ago. 

The ethereal beauty of the snow leopard and its surroundings resonated with voters. 

A new study reveals that there are many ways these animals bore through solid rock, but a lack of habitat may lock them into an evolutionary dead end.

Wildlife Photographer of the Year worked with British Council India for a masterclass focusing on conservation, wildlife photography and storytelling for young people. 

Did you know that flies have been helping us solve crimes for hundreds of years?

The UK government has released plans to restore the natural world.

The ancient flying reptile would have used its toothed snout with a flared end to filter-feed.

PhD student Carla on exploring how cyanobacteria survive in the cold temperatures of Antarctic lakes.

Shrubs, climbers and small trees provide important food and shelter for insects, birds and other animals.

Nights are becoming around 10% lighter each year, which has implications for the health of both humans and wildlife. 

In this article we look at how to take photos ethically, including tips from Wildlife Photographer of the Year. 

More than 250 titanosaur eggs have been uncovered in India, revealing more about the lives of some of the largest animals which ever lived.

Fighting for mates may be a behaviour that dates back over 400 million years.

The Yangtze finless porpoise has faced habitat loss and a reduced range as a result of sand mining, but a suspension of the practice offers hope that they could recover. 

Katydids are the earliest known animals to evolve complex communication using sound.

Though it may have gone extinct over 600 years ago, understanding more about Astrochelys rogerbouri could help to save its living relatives. 

With their pincers, horns and armour, these minibeasts might look terrifying, but luckily for us they are tiny and harmless.

An orange-sized space rock blazed across the skies on Monday 9 January.

Virgin Orbit is hoping to launch a rocket carrying a payload of satellites into space from Spaceport Cornwall at Newquay Airport.

Invasive rats are devastating tropical islands, with effects reaching far beyond the land. 

The skulls of early herbivores are helping scientists to understand how a diverse group of dinosaurs evolved different ways of eating plants.

Here are just 20 of the ways humanity's efforts to help nature paid dividends in 2022.

Professor Chris Stringer has been awarded a CBE and Dr Sandra Knapp and Dr Richard Fortey an OBE.

Current turtle habitats are likely to become unsuitable, but new areas could become available.

Winter is a time where many animals conserve their energy, fly south or grow a thicker coat.  

From looking like Pokémon to having more nipples than any other mammal, tenrecs are an unusual bunch.

Two Museum experts highlight the stories and science behind some of our most festive flora.  

Flocks of starlings form ever-changing, mesmerising aerial displays in autumn and winter. 

One of the most unusual self-defence techniques in the animal kingdom has been uncovered.

An unexpected series of eruptions at Stromboli may be due to changes in the volcano's internal 'plumbing'.

Get the facts about sustainable energy.

Intensively used land isn't just harmful to biodiversity we can see – it's also harming the wildlife living under the ground.

A walrus has been seen hauled out on a beach in Hampshire, UK.

Recognising the rights of the world's Indigenous Peoples could be crucial to protecting nature.

The climate crisis and biodiversity loss are closely connected but the good news is, so are the solutions.

DNA found in Greenland has broken the record for the oldest yet discovered.

Competition between ankylosaurs may be responsible for their iconic tail clubs.

Museum plant specialist Ana Claudia researches global biodiversity decline.

Catch up on season one of our interactive behind-the-scenes live stream.

A new species of extinct lizard has been described from the Museum's collections. 

Discover the stories behind the stunning images from Wildlife Photographer of the Year's 2023 People's Choice Award.

Nature faces a series of unprecedented threats in the twenty-first century - and the Convention on Biological Diversity sets the stage to help it fight back.

Leeches, mites and plants found at the site are revealing the ecosystems ancient animals walked over 260 million years ago.

Native mussels in the River Thames are in decline, with some species having disappeared since a landmark study in 1964.

Data being collected from the surface of Mars are already providing a glut of information about Jezero crater.

A chink in the armour of giant South American armadillos may have left them vulnerable to human hunting.

Algae and bacteria were on the menu for the early animal Kimberella shortly before it was buried over 500 million years ago.

The next rover to land on Mars could discover signs of a once mighty river ecosystem. 

Measuring almost four metres in length, Leviathanochelys aenigmatica reveals that giant turtles were more common than previously thought.

Discover what a supervolcano is, what their eruptions are like and how they impact our planet. 

Frog lenses develop differently depending on what environment they will live in as adults.

The origins of a meteorite which lit up skies above the UK last year have been revealed.

Fossils discovered in Sussex were compared to human remains found in Spain from a similar time period to see if the populations are linked.

Minute structures found in 3.48-billion-year-old Australian rocks are the oldest evidence of life on Earth.

A new study has looked at what is driving the biodiversity crisis. 

Fish raised in their mother's mouth can sometimes end up their parent's next meal.

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the climate crisis or the state of our planet? These techniques can help you improve your mental wellbeing.

The discovery of a seven million-year-old gibbon fossil has filled a long-elusive gap in the fossil record.

Demands for climate action are stronger than ever as the world comes together once again to discuss the rapidly warming world.

Dam building in Australia is reducing gene flow between platypus groups, piling pressure on populations whose numbers are already falling.

The first complete ichthyosaur skeleton has resurfaced, despite being thought destroyed during World War Two.

The question of how the Neanderthals died out remains one of the biggest mysteries in human evolution.

The study could help in predicting how species will respond to the rapidly changing environment.

The aye-aye is one of 12 primates that pick their nose - but we have no good reason why the behaviour evolved.

Left alone over time, many graveyards have become secluded sanctuaries where plant and animal life can thrive.

The most complete Jurassic fossil lizard ever found has been discovered in Scotland.

The sequencing of the oldest human DNA in the UK so far.

Every culture in the world has at least one mythical character who, in some way, represents wisdom, knowledge or just plain common sense.

A herd of bison released into woodland near Canterbury, Kent, have surprised conservationists by giving birth to a calf.

While their function remains uncertain, the sinuses provide an insight into how ancient human skulls changed over time.

A large part of the asteroid belt may have been formed out on the fringes of the Solar System.

Neanderthals may have lived in small groups of around 10 to 20, with females moving between the different communities. 

Carcinogenic fuel, explosives and chemical weapons are leaking into the seas from sunken naval vessels.

As the Competition moves into its fifty-ninth year, we welcome Kathy Moran as the new Chair of the Jury. 

Red squirrels are developing differently depending on the region of the UK they live in. 

We know the problems, but we also know how to fix them. 

Scavengers could help to preserve the soft tissue of the ancient reptiles by removing flesh and fluid from the body shortly after death. 

Karine Aigner's dynamic photo of a bee mating ball stole the show at the fifty-eighth Wildlife Photographer of the Year Awards.

The new Global Typology of Ecosystems provides an important step towards characterising the true diversity of life on Earth at its largest scale. 

A new project aims to use the Museum's historic collections to investigate how the genome of wheat has changed.

Winners of Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2022 announced.

A process mosquitoes use to weather harsh conditions offers new opportunities in the fight against malaria.

But just when is daddy long legs season and how long does it last?

Living over 200 million years ago, Scleromochlus helps to show how ancient reptiles took their first steps towards flight.

Mass producing the proteins in the saliva could provide a cheap and effective way to break down polyethylene waste. 

Professor Svante Pääbo, considered a founding father of palaeogenomics, has helped to reveal how humans evolved, and how we relate to our closest relatives.

A fossil from China has filled in a major gap in the evolutionary tree for life on Earth.

In the midst of war, scientists have been working to protect historic artworks.

Researchers have caught a glimpse of the cosmos just two million years after the formation of the solar system.

Termites could reduce the amount of carbon stored in wood as the world gets hotter and drier. 

The people after which England is named made up more than three quarters of the nation's genetic ancestry during the early Middle Ages.

Fierce debate has raged about the origins of the tiny ancient human species Homo floresiensis, nicknamed the 'hobbit'.

Investigating Mars' dry lakes could help scientists to discover how life began on Earth.

The dental record of a small animal has pushed back the origin of mammals by 20 million years. 

Sometimes reminding ourselves of a conservation failure can be just as important as celebrating our successes.

The description of an extinct lizard-like animal may help reveal why its kind were rapidly pushed to the edge of extinction.

Female wildebeest are engaged in an evolutionary arms race - but scientists aren't sure why.

Going green is no longer just the smart decision – it's also the most profitable one.

Researchers have reconstructed one of the first gliding reptiles in extraordinary detail.

The Natural History Museum pays tribute to Her Majesty The Queen.

Greta Thunberg and the Museum have teamed up to help educate students on the importance of tackling both the climate and biodiversity crises.

The works are part of the wider Urban Nature Project.

A new study shows the tunnelling mammals are among a handful of mammals known to be capable of an unusual process known as Dehnel's phenomenon.

Over a century ago, one of the most important scientific expeditions in history departed from the UK to explore the oceans of the world. 

NASA has launched its brand new rocket on its first uncrewed test flight to the Moon.

Carbon dioxide could be being undervalued by over 70% in the USA, making the cost effectiveness of climate action appear much lower than it actually is.

Andean mice grow differently depending on what side of the mountain they come from.

The twelfth century skeletons have provided an unprecedented look at the genetic history of Ashkenazi Jews. 

As the world recovered from a volcanic extinction event, Lesothosaurus may have banded together to help ward off predators.

For the first time the records of ancient British birds have been formally incorporated into the British List.

Bumblebees are getting more stressed as the climate warms.

Scientists and conservationists are continuing to investigate this phenomenon, with the exact reasons remaining unclear.

Debate over the use of artificial and natural lawns has been rekindled in recent weeks as temperatures surge across the UK.

An insect last seen in 1869 has sung again, which could help give researchers clues about where the insect might still be living.

The tropical arachnids have been named after the musician to draw attention to the threats they face. 

A beluga whale has been spotted heading towards Paris, thousands of miles from its natural habitat.

The protective equipment that kept us safe during from COVID-19 could pose a lethal threat to nature. 

The ability of dolphins and toothed whales to echolocate is shaped before they're even born.

While the evolutionary history of the bears remains uncertain, it contributes evidence to suggestions that panda bears could have evolved in Europe. 

Pond dipping is a wonderful way to look at the creatures that live in and around pond water. 

The herring narrowly escaped extinction in the twentieth century. But while some populations have recovered to healthy levels, others are still threatened by illegal fishing.

The 560-million-year-old specimen of Auroralumina attenboroughii reveals that the origins of complex life may date back further than was previously known. 

A disease that causes starfish to disintegrate has been reported in the UK and Europe, raising fears for marine ecosystems.

Over 30 potential new species, from starfish to sea cucumbers, have been discovered living at the bottom of the sea.

Records for the highest UK temperature have been set three times already in the twenty-first century and could continue to do so as global warming takes its toll.

The days of the most distinctive bird species could be numbered as the most unusual forms bear the brunt of global extinctions.  

As mammaliamorphs switched from being cold to warm blooded, new behaviours, habitats and ways of living became available to them.

Digitising Museum collection leads to rediscovering a moth collected by Richard Owen

The evolution of penguins has been laid out in unparalleled detail, revealing how they came into being.

Frogs with less diverse microbiomes are more severely affected by chytridiomycosis than those with a greater range of microbes, suggesting possible new treatments.

The effect of rising global temperatures on human health may require changes in our behaviour, mindset and the spaces we live in.  

Loud sound bursts throwing cetaceans out of balance and risk their health, amid growing concern over the impacts of anthropogenic noise pollution. 

Measuring almost two metres tall, Leptoptilos robustus would have lived in a unique ecosystem which included the mysterious miniature human relative Homo floresiensis. 

With targets spanning the birth and death of stars, the James Webb Space Telescope is set to give us our clearest view of the universe so far. 

In spring and summer, you might notice something looking like spit on a plant. 

Some individuals have been found as much as 2.8 metres above the ground, but no one is quite sure why.

The tiny arms of Tyrannosaurus rex may bring ridicule, but a new dinosaur reveals they were part of a much larger trend.

Over 40% of the world's rivers could contain harmful levels of pharmaceuticals.

Despite vast investment in climate change, much less attention is being paid to plastic pollution - and we need to fight both together. 

The world's largest waterlily has been discovered in the wetlands of northern Bolivia.

By scaring away the great whites, the killer whale hunters are altering the habits of other sharks, abalone and even penguins.

Nepenthes pudica is changing what we know about carnivorous species, but may already be Critically Endangered.

The UK is on track to cut just 40% of the emissions required to reach net zero, the country's top climate body has warned.

Thousands of seabirds are dropping dead from bird flu at some of the UK's most important seabird colonies.  

Fossil bones and antlers in the collection hold clues about the life and disappearance of Europe's biggest ever deer.

As we encroach more on the natural world, new diseases are likely to become more common.

Measuring over a centimetre long, Thiomargarita magnifica is over 5000 times bigger than the average microbe. 

Go beyond the camera and discover five wildlife photographers who are using their work to celebrate the natural world and those protecting it. 

Discussions which will define the future of the world's biodiversity are set to take place in Canada later this year.

A Critically Endangered species of albatross may be in more danger than previously thought. 

A group of newly-discovered polar bears may reveal how the Arctic mammals could survive climate change. 

The beetle usually lives on the warm Mediterranean coast.