Biology

Apr 24th, 2026 - Follow Earth on Google Soft-bodied animals almost never become fossils. Their bodies break down quickly and leave little behind. This is why a new discovery from Québec stands out. Scientists have identified a 450-million-year-old tubular polyp fossil that relates closely to modern jellyfish. The fossil survived conditions that usually erase this kind of life. Researchers named the species  Paleocanna tentaculum . It is the first soft-bodied cnidarian polyp found from the Ordovician ... [Read More]

Apr 24th, 2026 - By Long before the Kraken haunted sailors' tales , something just as monstrous actually cruised the ancient seas — and scientists just found the proof. A team of researchers has identified a massive octopus species that lived during the Cretaceous Period , the same era when Tyrannosaurus rex, triceratops and velociraptor roamed the land. The findings were published Thursday, April 23 in the journal Science . The species, named , measured somewhere between 22 and 62 feet in length. That ... [Read More]

Apr 24th, 2026 - A hundred million years ago during the late Cretaceous period, the oceans were filled with giant predators, prowling for their next meal. There was the mosasaur — a giant toothy marine reptile (and a surprise hero in Jurassic World). There were large sharks. And now, in the journal Science , researchers present evidence for ancient colossal octopuses — what they believe are the largest invertebrates ever described. Using innovative fossil reconstruction techniques, the researchers ... [Read More]

Apr 24th, 2026 - It is no secret that Florida has a Burmese python problem. The invasive species has infiltrated the Sunshine State and has practically taken over. Scientists and biologists have been tackling this issue through various methods, including hosting a hunting event for the slithering serpents. However, they are taking a different approach now. Find out how biologists are using opossums to tackle Florida's Burmese python problem. Biologists Are Using Opossums To Tackle Florida's Burmese Python ... [Read More]

Apr 24th, 2026 - Follow Earth on Google Strolling a familiar beach and stumbling upon a relic from the age of dinosaurs sounds like pure fantasy, yet that is exactly what happened on England's west coast. A stretch of shoreline below Somerset's crumbling cliffs yielded a bone so large that it challenged everything we thought we knew about prehistoric marine reptiles. The fossil – a lower jaw more than 6½ feet long – promised a creature leagues beyond anything alive today. The find ... [Read More]

Apr 24th, 2026 - Scientists warn that the fungus is spreading quickly through U.S. forests, where it outcompetes native fungi and reduces biodiversity. The golden oyster mushroom ( Pleurotus citrinopileatus ) may be a culinary hit in certain parts of the U.S. (notably Florida). However, it is becoming an ecological problem. With its bright yellow, cushion-like caps, the golden oyster mushroom has become a favourite among home growers and food lovers. It is widely available in grow-your-own kits and sold in ... [Read More]

Apr 24th, 2026 - Follow Earth on Google Worms might not seem like headline-makers, but a new fossil discovery is rewriting their history in a big way. Scientists have found 535 million-year-old remains that suggest ringed worms were already spreading across ancient oceans, living both along the seafloor and out in open water. The discovery pushes their timeline back significantly and offers a clearer look at how early animals began branching into different ways of life. Annelids and worm evolution At South ... [Read More]

Apr 24th, 2026 - Why did the orangutan cross the road? Mostly to survive, thanks to this canopy bridge. A camera trap in North Sumatra has recorded a rare conservation first: a Sumatran orangutan using a rope bridge to cross a public road. The young male crossed high above the Lagan-Pagindar road in Pakpak Bharat district, North Sumatra, Indonesia, moving between two forest patches that had been split apart by road upgrades. The short video shows that a simple artificial canopy bridge can help reconnect habitat ... [Read More]

Apr 24th, 2026 - It took more than two years, but we can finally rest easy that it's not the contorted remains of an alien creature. Reading time 3 minutes A strange, mound-shaped object was found at the bottom of the ocean in 2023, and scientists had no idea what it was. After years of running tests and working with hundreds of samples, a team of researchers has finally solved the puzzle. And no, it's not weird alien stuff. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) revealed the results of ... [Read More]

Apr 24th, 2026 - Scientists just discovered a new species of lizard hiding in the Australian desert and there may be fewer than 20 left Researchers have  described  a new-to-science species of skink that may be one of Australia's most threatened reptiles. The small population of the skink, possibly fewer than 20 individuals, lives in a pocket of rocky gorge within the arid Mutawintji National Park in New South Wales state, the researchers report in a  new paper . The skink has been named  ... [Read More]

Apr 24th, 2026 - It's quick and easy to access Live Science Plus, simply enter your email below. We'll send you a confirmation and sign you up for our daily newsletter, keeping you up to date with the latest science news. Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Join the conversation Add us as a preferred source on Google Sign up for the Live Science daily newsletter now Get the world's most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox. By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & ... [Read More]

Apr 24th, 2026 - Follow Earth on Google A newly identified dinosaur from Patagonia, Bicharracosaurus dionidei , is reshaping how scientists map the rise of some of the largest animals ever to walk the Earth. The fossil suggests that relatives of Brachiosaurus may have reached South America earlier than expected, expanding their known range across ancient continents. But the discovery comes with a twist – its unusual mix of features raises new questions about where these giants truly belong on the dinosaur ... [Read More]

Apr 23rd, 2026 - Meet the 19-metre octopus that prowled the ancient seas Giant octopuses may have ruled the ancient oceans 100 million years ago, when dinosaurs roamed, according to new research. Some of the earliest octopuses are believed to have been powerful predators equipped with strong arms for grabbing prey and beak-like jaws for munching on the shells and bones of other animals. A new study of some remarkably well preserved jaws suggest they reached up to 19 metres, potentially making them the largest ... [Read More]

Apr 23rd, 2026 - The Natural History Museum in London has discovered a previously unknown species of coelacanth from fossil remains that date back about 150 years (Macropoma gombessae). The new coelacanth is important because it helps to fill in a huge evolutionary gap of about 50 million years for coelacanths, one of the world's most recognised 'living fossils.' According to the study published by the University of Portsmouth, the fossil was reevaluated by Former University of Portsmouth palaeontology student ... [Read More]

Apr 23rd, 2026 - A series of stunning findings about great apes' mental capabilities in recent years has transformed how we see our closest relatives C lear plastic cups and pitchers adorned the wooden table in Des Moines, Iowa. Invisible juice was poured and presented to Kanzi, who enthusiastically chose the fake filled cup, playing along with the man who had come to visit. In many ways, it was the quintessential scene of a children's imaginary tea party. Only Kanzi, at 44 years old, was a bonobo. The ... [Read More]

Apr 23rd, 2026 - By For nearly 25 years, a hand-sized fossil pulled from the rocks of Illinois held a remarkable title: the oldest known octopus on Earth. Guinness World Records listed it. Researchers cited it. It reshaped what scientists thought they knew about when eight-armed cephalopods first appeared in ancient seas. There was just one problem. It was never an octopus at all. University of Reading zoologist Thomas Clements , the lead researcher behind the new findings, finally cracked the code on the ... [Read More]