Find answers to your big nature questions. Delve into stories about the Museum's collections, scientists and research. Uncover the history of life on Earth, from the smallest insects to the largest mammals.
Highlights
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What on Earth?How do camels survive in deserts?
From snowshoe-like feet to a nose that works like a dehumidifier, discover the amazing adaptations camels have that help them survive.
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British wildlifeWild parakeets in the UK: exotic delights or a potential problem?
Ring-necked parakeets are a spectacle to see and hear, but are they causing problems for native UK wildlife?
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What on Earth?Are lobsters immortal?
Biological immortality is exceptionally rare. But is there any truth to the memes that claim lobsters can live forever?
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British wildlifeHow to make fat balls for birds
Help your local wild birds to survive winter by putting out these nutritious fat balls.
News
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NewsWithout animals, plants' ability to move with climate change halves
The historic loss of large mammals such as wolves and aurochs means that plants are much less able to spread their seeds to suitable climates.
17 January 2022 -
NewsThe last eight years have been the hottest on record
2021 is tied as the sixth hottest year on record
14 January 2022 -
NewsTree named after Leonardo DiCaprio is one of 2022's first new species
A newly described species of tree has received international attention after being named in honour of actor Leonardo DiCaprio.
11 January 2022 -
NewsBritain's largest ever ichthyosaur is discovered in Rutland Water
The largest and most complete ichthyosaur ever found in the UK has been unearthed in the nation's smallest county.
10 January 2022
Dinosaurs
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Science newsTwo new species of spinosaur dinosaurs discovered from Isle of Wight
Two new species of carnivorous dinosaurs have been discovered from the Isle of Wight.
29 September 2021 -
Science newsNew species of dinosaur had armour unlike anything seen before
Spicomellus afer is the oldest ankylosaur ever discovered.
23 September 2021 -
Dinosaurs
How are dinosaur fossils formed?
Even though dinosaurs lived millions of years ago, we know about them thanks to fossils. Watch our animation to find out how dinosaur fossils formed.
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DinosaursThe world's first dinosaur park: what the Victorians got right and wrong
They aren't scientifically accurate, but the Crystal Palace dinosaurs have a special place in the history of palaeontology.
Dippy the Diplodocus 3D skull
Rotate, zoom in and explore the features of this popular dinosaur.
Anthropocene
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News
The last eight years have been the hottest on record
2021 is tied as the sixth hottest year on record
14 January 2022 -
NewsThe conservation success stories of 2021
Scientists, activists and members of the public fought to ensure that 2021 won't be remembered as all bad for conservation.
29 December 2021 -
NewsCoral reefs at risk of being wiped out in western Indian Ocean
Some of the world's most picturesque coral reefs are at risk of being wiped out in the next 50 years.
8 December 2021 -
Wildlife photographyWildlife Photographer of the Year: conservation success stories
Scientists, conservationists and wildlife experts are working to secure the futures of some of the world's most threatened species.
Uncover wildlife crime
In a Natural History Museum podcast, discover some of the most shocking, sensational and sinister crimes committed against the natural world, and hear from the people working to end them.
British wildlife
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British wildlife
Wild parakeets in the UK: exotic delights or a potential problem?
Ring-necked parakeets are a spectacle to see and hear, but are they causing problems for native UK wildlife?
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British wildlifeHow to make a log pile to provide shelter for garden wildlife
A log pile can give home and shelter to some of the smaller inhabitants of your garden.
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British wildlifeHow well do you know your winter wildlife?
Take our quiz to find out how familiar you are with the UK's plants and animals and their strategies for surviving winter.
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British wildlifeRobin (Erithacus rubecula)
Explore facts about this red-breasted festive icon.
What on Earth?
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What on Earth?The blue-ringed octopus: small, vibrant and exceptionally deadly
Blue-ringed octopuses are stunning animals. But their flashy rings are not an idle threat.
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What on Earth?What happens when you're bitten by a venomous snake?
Snakebite is one of the world's deadliest neglected health issues. But what does venom actually do to you?
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What on Earth?16 weird plants that seem more supernatural than natural
Discover this creepy collection of nature's strangest plants.
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What on Earth?Mutualism: eight examples of species that work together to get ahead
In nature, species will sometimes form unexpectedly close bonds and work to their mutual benefit.
Space
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SpaceWhat is space junk and why is it a problem?
Millions of pieces of human-caused debris are orbiting Earth. But are they an issue, and what can we do about them?
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NewsEarth's water may have been formed by solar winds
Solar winds from the Sun could have produced much of Earth's water by irradiating asteroids.
2 December 2021 -
SpaceHow does the Moon affect life on Earth?
Weeping trees, teeth stronger than Kevlar and one of Earth's most spectacular natural events are all shaped by the Moon.
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SpaceShooting stars: How to photograph the night sky
Anyone can capture the majesty of the galaxy with a simple camera. All you need is a dark, clear night and the willingness to have a go.
Human evolution
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NewsPotential new human species may redraw the family tree
A new ancestor of modern humans with the potential to rip up the family tree has been tentatively named.
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Science newsOldest evidence of hominins in Arabia give clues to how humans left Africa
A series of ancient lake beds discovered in Saudi Arabia is showing how the now arid deserts were once green wetlands.
1 September 2021 -
Human evolutionHow we became human
What features make us human? And where, when and why did they evolve?
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Human evolutionHomo erectus, our ancient ancestor
Learn about the longest-surviving human species, which was also the first known to leave Africa.
Who were the Neanderthals?
Explore Neanderthal facts, from looks to lifestyle and abilities. These early humans are far more similar to us than once believed.
Oceans
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NewsLionfish caught off the coast of Dorset could be a record for the UK
Scientists at the Museum urge anyone who knows more about it or its location to get in touch.
30 September 2021 -
OceansWhat is an ammonite?
The often tightly wound shells of ammonites may be a familiar sight, but how much do you know about the animals that once lived inside?
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NewsOver half of coral reef cover across the world has been lost since 1950
Coral reefs have declined by over half since the 1950s as they suffer from the effects of climate change and overfishing.
26 September 2021 -
OceansOctopuses keep surprising us - here are eight examples how
They have blue blood, three hearts and a doughnut-shaped brain. But these aren't even the most unusual discoveries made about octopuses!
See a blue whale skeleton in high definition
Explore a 3D model of the Museum's blue whale skeleton and learn more about how these animals behave.
Collections
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NewsDigitising the entire Museum collection could contribute over £2 billion to the global economy
The economic benefit of digitising an entire museum collection has been quantified for the first time.
26 October 2021 -
CollectionsCaring for specimens at the Museum
Take a behind-the-scenes look at the conservation work undertaken for the Fantastic Beasts™: The Wonder of Nature exhibition.
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NewsWater from the deepest point on Earth joins the Museum collection
Last year an expedition to the Mariana Trench made history by conducting the deepest crewed dive ever.
24 March 2021 -
CollectionsHidden figures: forgotten contributions to natural history
Discover more about the people behind the headlines and how they have been overlooked by the history books.
Wildlife photography
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Wildlife photography
Wildlife Photographer of the Year: conservation success stories
Scientists, conservationists and wildlife experts are working to secure the futures of some of the world's most threatened species.
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NewsWildlife Photographer of the Year: People's Choice 2022
WPY People's Choice 2022 images released.
1 December 2021 -
Wildlife photography10 smartphone camera tips for wildlife photography beginners
Dive into wildlife photography and discover how to take show-stopping images with only your phone camera.
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Wildlife Photographer of the Year: life and death in an underwater world
Underwater photographer Laurent Ballesta has won the Grand Title in the fifty-seventh Wildlife Photographer of the Year for his photo, Creation.
Latest videos
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British wildlife
How to make a log pile to provide shelter for garden wildlife
A log pile can give home and shelter to some of the smaller inhabitants of your garden.
-
British wildlifeHow to make a small wildlife pond
A garden pond is one of the best ways you can help Britain's wildlife. You can create one in even the tiniest of gardens.
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British wildlife
How to make a bird bath
Birds need access to water year-round. Help them out by building a simple garden bird bath.
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AnthropoceneMountain chickens: how we almost lost the Caribbean's largest frogs
The mountain chicken is teetering on the brink of extinction, but we may now have a way to save them.
All articles
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News
Without animals, plants' ability to move with climate change halves
The historic loss of large mammals such as wolves and aurochs means that plants are much less able to spread their seeds to suitable climates.
17 January 2022 -
News
The last eight years have been the hottest on record
2021 is tied as the sixth hottest year on record
14 January 2022 -
News
Tree named after Leonardo DiCaprio is one of 2022's first new species
A newly described species of tree has received international attention after being named in honour of actor Leonardo DiCaprio.
11 January 2022 -
News
Britain's largest ever ichthyosaur is discovered in Rutland Water
The largest and most complete ichthyosaur ever found in the UK has been unearthed in the nation's smallest county.
10 January 2022 -
NewsVelociraptor relative that ambushed dinosaurs is a new species
The first large raptor to ever be discovered in the UK has been described as a new species.
8 January 2022 -
Science newsVolcano 'recharging' can give clues about its next eruption
The way a volcano is filled with boiling hot magma can help improve forecasts of how it will next erupt.
7 January 2022 -
NewsThousands of birds killed amid 'biggest ever outbreak of bird flu in Britain'
The 'biggest ever outbreak of bird flu in Great Britain' has been blamed for killing thousands of birds across the UK.
6 January 2022 -
NewsDNA floating in the air can be used to identify nearby animals
Animals can be detected from hundreds of metres away, just by the presence of their DNA in the air.
6 January 2022 -
NewsShackleton's final expedition: Reuniting Quest's collection 100 years later
A century ago, the era of 'heroic' Antarctic endeavours came to an end as the Quest expedition made its way home.
5 January 2022 -
Science newsDinosaurs and meteorites: Museum scientists described 552 new species in 2021
Museum scientists have described 552 new species.
30 December 2021 -
Science newsDinosaur tracks on Welsh beach are evidence of sauropod gathering
A series of tracks on a public beach point to the presence of large, long-necked dinosaurs in Wales over 200 million years ago.
29 December 2021 -
News
The conservation success stories of 2021
Scientists, activists and members of the public fought to ensure that 2021 won't be remembered as all bad for conservation.
29 December 2021 -
NewsJames Webb telescope launched to view the early universe
The largest space telescope ever built has been launched as part of a mission to view the early years of the universe.
25 December 2021 -
NewsChristmas species: The festive flora and fauna which need our help
Over 30 species globally are named for Christmas Day, recognising their bright colours, place of origin or reproductive cycle.
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NewsAncient shipwreck reveals 'ecological memory' of reefs
An ancient battle fought thousands of years ago has provided an oasis of life on the wrecks it left behind.
23 December 2021 -
Science newsAncient Britons adapted to drink milk a millennium earlier than Europeans
The genetic landscape of England and Wales was shaken up thousands of years ago as new arrivals redefined its people.
22 December 2021 -
NewsThe world's largest arthropod was a car-sized millipede
One of the largest invertebrates to have ever lived once roamed the beaches of ancient England.
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NewsFirst millipede with more than 1,000 legs discovered in Australia
A newly discovered millipede has claimed the title of the 'leggiest' animal in the world.
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NewsWorld's 'most wanted' fish rediscovered after 50 years
One of the world's 'most wanted' fish has been tracked down, almost 50 years after it was last seen.
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NewsThe largest-ever flying animal behaved like a giant heron
The largest-ever flying animal acted like a giant heron, plucking prey from the water and launching itself into the air.
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Science newsColombia's twice-forgotten yellow butterfly offers hope for tropical wildlife
Elusive yellow butterfly from isolated Colombian mountain rediscovered twice.
15 December 2021 -
Science newsNew species of chunky sauropod with a large 'funny bone' described from China
The dinosaur was much chunkier than any other sauropod.
14 December 2021 -
What on Earth?
How do camels survive in deserts?
From snowshoe-like feet to a nose that works like a dehumidifier, discover the amazing adaptations camels have that help them survive.
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Science newsThe earliest snakes didn't have tunnel vision
The ancestor of modern snakes was not the extreme burrower some thought it to be, adding to the controversial debate about the origin of snakes.
10 December 2021
