July-August 2009

snakes
Features

A Long Drink of Water

For thirsty sea snakes, the ocean can be a desert.

Acadia National Park (Maine)
Features

Our National Parks

A review of Ken Burns's six-episode PBS series, The National Parks: America's Best Idea

Chinese compass
Nature.net

China Syndrome

An Internet guide to the technological wonders of the Middle Kingdom

Fossil tracks of early beachcombers
Samplings

Antique Explorers' Gear

Some of the first animals to venture onto land may have borrowed shells for protection.

chameleon
Samplings

Light Meal

Chameleons bask for the vitamins, not just the warmth.

MG J0414+0534
Samplings

Wet Galaxy

Signs of water from long ago and far away.

Keiko in home waters
Samplings

Back from the Wild

Keiko chose the comforts of human care over freedom.

Adanson’s house jumper
Samplings

Forfeit Thy Neighbor

Playing dead is good for you, but not for your comrades.

sagebrush
Samplings

Clone Ranger

Look who can recognize family, now.

Allomerus octoarticulatus
Samplings

Home Growth

Why do ants sterilize their host trees?

Desert woodrat
Samplings

No Lily-livered Rat

The genes behind a rat's toxic diet.

Deactivating the Clathrate Bomb
Samplings

Deactivating the Clathrate Bomb

Good news about a potentially major source of carbon dioxide.

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Recent Stories

Caves are among the predators’ favorite spots.

The brain doesn't much care whether an experience is real.

Humans will never win a sprint against your average quadruped. But our species is well-adapted for the marathon.

Recent Interview

Xiaoming Wang

Hear author Xiaoming Wang interviewed by Vittorio Maestro, Editor in Chief of Natural History. (MP3, 17 minutes)