A version of the dodo bird (Raphus cucullatus) could make a return someday soon. Colossal Biosciences announced this week several milestones in its quest to bring the extinct species back to life. On Wednesday, the Dallas-based company reported that its researchers at the Avian Genetics Group have successfully grown pigeon primordial germ cells (PGCs) in […]
Have You Seen This Rare Rainbow Snake? Florida Wants to Know
As their name suggests, rainbow snakes sport striking, iridescent scales that turn a glossy blue in the Sun. But these beautiful creatures haven’t been seen since 2020, so Florida officials are recruiting the public to help confirm they’re alive and well. In a release published August 18, Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) announced […]
New Caterpillar Found in Hawaii Wears Dead Bugs and Lives With Spiders
Scientists have discovered a rare and ancient lineage of caterpillar in Hawai’i that wears the “bones” of insects as a form of camouflage. Researchers from the University of Hawaii at Manoa detailed their discovery in a paper published Thursday in Science. The caterpillar—which they’ve dubbed the “bone collector”—uses the disguise to live hidden within a […]
Has the Dire Wolf Truly Been Resurrected? We Asked the Experts
The single splashiest bit of science news so far this year arrived earlier this week, when Colossal Biosciences announced that its scientists successfully brought back a version of the dire wolf (Aenocyon dirus). In the company’s announcement, Colossal has claimed that its three “dire wolf” siblings, Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi, are the world’s first examples […]
Critically Endangered Tortoise Is a First-Time Mom at Nearly 100 Years Old
Much like people, some animals take to parenthood later than usual. A pair of Western Santa Cruz Galápagos tortoises at the Philadelphia Zoo have just become parents as they approach the century mark. This month, the Philadelphia Zoo announced the arrival of four hatchlings born to the male tortoise Abrazzo and the aptly named female Mommy. […]
In a Historic First, Scientists Have Resurrected the Dire Wolf—Sort Of
The first major frontier of “de-extinction” has just been crossed. Earlier today, the company Colossal Biosciences reported that its scientists have successfully brought back a version of the dire wolf—purportedly the first such resurrection of a previously extinct species. Colossal announced its seismic accomplishment Monday morning, accompanied by a lengthy cover article in Time magazine. Using […]
Winning Nature Photographs Capture the Gripping Intensity of Animal Life
Nature is scary at all scales. Look no further than the winners of the Nature inFocus photography competition, whose winning photographs for 2024 were recently announced. Life of all sorts are constantly vying for another day on this Earth. Now, the Nature inFocus photography contest winners showcases the environs and interactions of a selection of […]
Hydroelectric Dams in Oregon Kill Salmon. Congress Says It’s Time to Consider Shutting Them Down.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said it could make hydroelectric dams on Oregon’s Willamette River safe for endangered salmon by building gigantic mechanical traps and hauling baby fish downstream in tanker trucks. The Corps started pressing forward over objections from fish advocates and power users who said the plan was costly and untested. That […]