Discover
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
-
What on Earth?Crown shyness: are trees social distancing too?
Some trees keep their distance from one another, but why do they do it?
-
Wildlife Photographer of the Year: there's no place like home
From cocoons to cars, animal habitats come in all shapes and sizes. Settle in with these homely images from the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.
-
DinosaursMake your own Dippy the Diplodocus skull
If you're a fan of Dippy the dinosaur, this activity is for you!
-
British wildlifeHow to grow a cress caterpillar
Create a colourful caterpillar and grow your own food all in one activity.
News
-
CollectionsThe Natural History Museum in lockdown: flesh-eating beetles and exploding fossils
Who is looking after the collections while the Museum is in lockdown?
-
Science newsTurtles have lived for 230 million years - but will they survive climate change?
Tracking the diversity of turtles could also give us clues as to how they might respond to increasing pressures in the future.
22 May 2020 -
NewsDinosaur diaries: Arctic duck-billed dinosaurs, dental work and dimorphism
A new discovery reveals this hadrosaur had one of the largest geographical ranges of any dinosaur.
22 May 2020 -
NewsDinosaur diaries: Spinosaurus, sauropod necks and a new 'starry lizard'
Dinosaur experts share some of the latest science news and views from across the world of palaeontology.
8 May 2020
New species named after climate activist Greta Thunberg
The newly described Nelloptodes gretae belongs to a group of some of the smallest known free-living animals.
Dinosaurs
-
DinosaursBrontosaurus: reinstating a prehistoric icon
For over 100 years palaeontologists thought this dinosaur didn't exist.
-
DinosaursHow to sex a dinosaur
Is it even possible in the first place?
-
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.
-
DinosaursWhat is it like to go on a dino dig?
Explore an interactive story about Museum experts' adventure to Wyoming, USA, when they went off-grid in search of Jurassic dinosaurs.
Dippy the Diplodocus 3D skull
Rotate, zoom in and explore the features of this popular dinosaur.
Anthropocene
-
Science news
Turtles have lived for 230 million years - but will they survive climate change?
Tracking the diversity of turtles could also give us clues as to how they might respond to increasing pressures in the future.
22 May 2020 -
AnthropoceneScience among polar bears: a day in the life of an Arctic researcher
The Arctic is one of the most fragile and precious places on Earth.
-
Science newsOcean ecosystems are more sensitive to climate change
Climate change is having a bigger impact on animals and plants in the ocean than those on land.
4 May 2020 -
Science newsMuseum collections show how pangolin populations have shrunk
Discover how we're helping some of the most threatened animals on Earth.
30 April 2020
The world is in trouble
A landmark report has confirmed that humanity is destroying its own life support system as the natural world faces unprecedented declines.
British wildlife
-
British wildlifeHow to grow a lawn that's better for wildlife
Attract bees to your lawn with clover, grow a mini wildflower meadow, add areas of aromatic thyme and more ideas.
-
British wildlife
Ways to help frogs and toads
Frogs and toads are often spotted in UK gardens, but some are struggling. Find out how you can help.
-
British wildlifeHow to identify a cockchafer May bug
It has a hairy body, orange fan-like antennae and eats roots. Watch the video to find out more.
-
British wildlifeBritish garden birds: spring and summer highlights
Find out about some of the birds you're likely to see and hear in parks and gardens.
What on Earth?
-
Science newsNew fossils reveal the earliest evidence of an animal losing its legs
An ancient invertebrate lost its legs to live in tubes.
27 February 2020 -
Science newsDragon-like reptiles with huge heads and ‘steak knife’ teeth lived before the dinosaurs
The carnivores walked on four legs and looked like modern-day Komodo dragons.
20 November 2019 -
What on Earth?The bird that stitches its home
How does the common tailorbird sew its nest together?
-
OceansAre seahorses the ocean's quirkiest fish?
With armoured bodies, curly tails and limited swimming ability, seahorses are a group of fish quite unlike any other.
Space
-
SpaceWhat is a supermoon?
A supermoon appears larger and brighter in the night sky. How often does this happen and why? Find out all about this phenomenon.
-
Science newsFossil ice found in meteorite is the first direct evidence of ice in asteroids
The meteorite formed as our solar system was being born.
21 November 2019 -
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?
-
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.
Human evolution
-
Human evolutionAre Neanderthals the same species as us?
Prof Chris Stringer addresses this controversial question.
-
Science newsModern humans may have been in Europe 150,000 years earlier than thought
New dating suggests they were in southern Greece 210,000 years ago.
10 July 2019 -
NewsNew species of ancient human discovered in the Philippines
It has been named Homo luzonensis.
11 April 2019 -
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
-
Science newsOcean plastic is changing the blood chemistry of seabirds
What this means for their future is still not known.
29 July 2019 -
Oceans
Are seahorses the ocean's quirkiest fish?
With armoured bodies, curly tails and limited swimming ability, seahorses are a group of fish quite unlike any other.
-
OceansDo sharks lay eggs?
Although most sharks give birth to live young, a few lay oddly shaped eggs that occasionally wash up on beaches.
-
What on Earth?Giant isopods: curious crustaceans on the ocean floor
A curator unravels the mystery of the woodlouse's gargantuan deep-sea cousin.
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
-
CollectionsMaria Sibylla Merian: metamorphosis unmasked by art and science
Adventuring unchaperoned in seventeenth century Suriname, Maria Sibylla Merian blazed a trail for women and science.
-
Biodiversity
The compelling case for why flies are actually fabulous
Did you know that there are more species of fly in the UK than there are mammals on the planet? And they perform some pretty important jobs.
-
CollectionsThe 330-million-year-old fossil tree that's stood the test of time
Discover the story of the 11-tonne fossil that's been welcoming visitors to the Museum since 1887.
-
CollectionsArchitect Alfred Waterhouse and his iconic Natural History Museum building
Explore a menagerie of designs fit for a 'cathedral to nature'.
Wildlife photography
-
Wildlife Photographer of the Year: celebrating the variety of life on Earth
Explore some of the richest habitats the planet has to offer and discover the beauty and abundance of life on Earth with this gallery of images.
-
Wildlife Photographer of the Year: there's no place like home
From cocoons to cars, animal habitats come in all shapes and sizes. Settle in with these homely images from the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.
-
Wildlife Photographer of the Year: the border wall blocking biodiversity
Over 1,500 different species live in habitats spanning the United States-Mexico border. The proposal of an impenetrable wall would put an end to the natural movement of these animals.
-
AnthropoceneWildlife Photographer of the Year: the world's wildlife trade
The sudden and dramatic onset of the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 has inadvertently shone a spotlight on one of the world's most distressing systems: the global trade in wild animals.
Latest videos
-
British wildlife
How to grow a cress caterpillar
Create a colourful caterpillar and grow your own food all in one activity.
-
British wildlife
Ways to help frogs and toads
Frogs and toads are often spotted in UK gardens, but some are struggling. Find out how you can help.
-
How to make a simple origami frog
Find out how to make a very easy folded paper jumping frog.
-
British wildlife
How to make and use a nature journal to record your wildlife observations
Keeping a nature journal is a great way to record any nature you see.
All articles
-
Wildlife Photographer of the Year: celebrating the variety of life on Earth
Explore some of the richest habitats the planet has to offer and discover the beauty and abundance of life on Earth with this gallery of images.
-
What on Earth?Snakestones: the myth, magic and science of ammonites
It was once widely believed that ammonites were coiled snakes turned magically to stone.
-
Collections
The Natural History Museum in lockdown: flesh-eating beetles and exploding fossils
Who is looking after the collections while the Museum is in lockdown?
-
News
Dinosaur diaries: Arctic duck-billed dinosaurs, dental work and dimorphism
A new discovery reveals this hadrosaur had one of the largest geographical ranges of any dinosaur.
22 May 2020 -
Science news
Turtles have lived for 230 million years - but will they survive climate change?
Tracking the diversity of turtles could also give us clues as to how they might respond to increasing pressures in the future.
22 May 2020 -
Wildlife Photographer of the Year: there's no place like home
From cocoons to cars, animal habitats come in all shapes and sizes. Settle in with these homely images from the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.
-
What on Earth?
Crown shyness: are trees social distancing too?
Some trees keep their distance from one another, but why do they do it?
-
Anthropocene
Science among polar bears: a day in the life of an Arctic researcher
The Arctic is one of the most fragile and precious places on Earth.
-
Dinosaurs
Make your own Dippy the Diplodocus skull
If you're a fan of Dippy the dinosaur, this activity is for you!
-
News
Dinosaur diaries: Spinosaurus, sauropod necks and a new 'starry lizard'
Dinosaur experts share some of the latest science news and views from across the world of palaeontology.
8 May 2020 -
British wildlife
How to grow a cress caterpillar
Create a colourful caterpillar and grow your own food all in one activity.
-
Science newsAncient river systems on Mars seen in unparalleled detail
A satellite has revealed ancient Martian rivers in more detail than ever before.
5 May 2020 -
Science news
Ocean ecosystems are more sensitive to climate change
Climate change is having a bigger impact on animals and plants in the ocean than those on land.
4 May 2020 -
British wildlife
How to grow a lawn that's better for wildlife
Attract bees to your lawn with clover, grow a mini wildflower meadow, add areas of aromatic thyme and more ideas.
-
Wildlife Photographer of the Year: the border wall blocking biodiversity
Over 1,500 different species live in habitats spanning the United States-Mexico border. The proposal of an impenetrable wall would put an end to the natural movement of these animals.
-
Science news
Museum collections show how pangolin populations have shrunk
Discover how we're helping some of the most threatened animals on Earth.
30 April 2020 -
Anthropocene
Wildlife Photographer of the Year: the world's wildlife trade
The sudden and dramatic onset of the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 has inadvertently shone a spotlight on one of the world's most distressing systems: the global trade in wild animals.
-
NewsScientists say we will face worse pandemics than COVID-19 unless we protect nature
Humans are the only species responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, according to leading scientists.
29 April 2020 -
NewsTerra Nova notebooks describing penguin sexual behaviours acquired by the Museum
Extraordinary notebooks from the Terra Nova Antarctic expedition are available for study for the first time.
25 April 2020 -
British wildlife
Ways to help frogs and toads
Frogs and toads are often spotted in UK gardens, but some are struggling. Find out how you can help.
-
Science newsWhy you should care about scientists sequencing the wheat genome
Sequencing the wheat genome could help to protect food supplies in the future.
22 April 2020 -
How to make a simple origami frog
Find out how to make a very easy folded paper jumping frog.
-
Science newsNew species from the abyssal ocean hint at incredible deep sea diversity
New species of the deep ocean floor are helping change how we think.
21 April 2020 -
Dinosaurs
Brontosaurus: reinstating a prehistoric icon
For over 100 years palaeontologists thought this dinosaur didn't exist.
