For nearly two centuries, a pangolin specimen collected in Nepal sat in a natural-history collection carrying evidence that scientists could not fully read when it was collected. Modern analysis of …
Bats present biologists with a remarkable puzzle. Many species are tiny, maintain demanding metabolisms, encounter numerous pathogens, and yet can live far longer than similarly sized mammals. New research on …
Across the open landscapes of western North America, the pronghorn can accelerate into a run that seems excessive for the predators pursuing it today. That mismatch has inspired one of …
Few mammals look as immediately adapted to their environment as the fennec fox. Its compact body, pale coat, furry feet, and especially its enormous ears all reflect life in the …
High in the tropical forests of Southeast Asia lives a mammal that appears to turn almost its entire body into a wing. The remarkable colugo gliding membrane stretches from the …
A wolverine crossing a snow-covered mountain can look remarkably well suited to the landscape. Its broad feet spread with each step, its compact body stays low to the ground, and …
One of the most recognizable features of the snow leopard is its remarkably long, thick, and fluffy tail. At first glance, it may appear oversized compared to the rest of …
Introduction An elephant’s trunk, a mole’s pointed snout, the enormous nose of a proboscis monkey, and the moisture-covered muzzle of a deer may look completely different, but each represents an …
Introduction A tiger’s bold stripes, a leopard’s intricate rosettes, the snowy camouflage of an Arctic fox, and the striking black-and-white markings of a skunk all tell a story far deeper …
Introduction For many animals, survival depends not on strength or speed but on the ability to hear danger before it arrives. Across deserts, forests, grasslands, and savannas, evolution has shaped …