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Scientists find genetic 'switch' in mice that turns caring dads into violent brutes
By Kenna Hughes-Castleberry published
A new study suggests that the Agouti gene in the brains of male African striped mice can act as a molecular "switch," making them caring or violent toward their young.

95 million-year-old Spinosaurus had a scimitar-shaped head crest and waded through the Sahara's rivers like a 'hell heron'
By Kenna Hughes-Castleberry published
Researchers have identified a new Spinosaurus species with a blade-like crest in Niger, changing our understanding of dinosaur evolution and behavior.

Our adorable, noodle-like ancestor had 4 eyes, half-a-billion-year-old fossils reveal
By Patrick Pester published
The earliest recorded vertebrates had four eyes to escape predators in the ancient Cambrian ocean, according to half-a-billion-year-old fossils from China that shed light on our evolutionary origins.

Snakes keep evolving into cannibals — here's what scientists think is going on
By Olivia Ferrari published
A review of over 500 reports of cannibalistic behavior in snakes finds it's appeared multiple times in different evolutionary lineages, leading researchers to hypothesize it's beneficial for snakes under certain circumstances.

Archaeopteryx, one of the world's first proto birds, has a set of weird, never-before-seen features, new study reveals
By Aristos Georgiou published
Iconic transition species between dinosaurs and birds may have had weird 'teeth' on roof of its mouth and a highly mobile tongue, study reveals

Extraordinary photo captures first appearance of Siberian peregrine falcon in Australia's arid center
By Aristos Georgiou published
An ecologist has captured a photo of a peregrine falcon subspecies in an unprecedented location.

Spotted lanternflies are invading the US. They may have gotten their evolutionary superpowers in China's cities.
By Chris Simms published
The alarming spread of spotted lanternflies across the U.S. has been made possible by cities acting as evolutionary incubators, fine-tuning the insects and enabling them to thrive.

Kanzi the bonobo could play pretend — a trait thought unique to humans
By Sophie Berdugo published
Past anecdotal observations have hinted that great apes play pretend. But now, experimental research shows that our closest living relatives can keep track of imaginary objects.

Saltwater crocodiles crossed the Indian Ocean to reach the Seychelles — before humans arrived and wiped them out
By Skyler Ware published
A DNA study reveals crocs that lived in the Seychelles represented the westernmost population of saltwater crocodiles, having swam at least 1,800 miles to reach the island.

A deer carrying the rotting head of its vanquished foe and a playful lynx shortlisted for Wildlife Photographer of the Year Nuveen People's Choice Award
By Sascha Pare published
Here are the 24 images shortlisted for the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Nuveen People's Choice Award 2026.
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