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
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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.
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Our Broken PlanetThese photos will make you think twice about plastic
British photographer Mandy Barker assembles collections of plastic pulled from water around the world.
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What on Earth?Why do goats faint and scream?
Discover the reality behind the ever-popular videos of screaming and fainting goats.
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Wildlife Photographer of the Year: separating entertainment from exploitation
Photojournalist Kirsten Luce reveals the distressing lives of the animals held captive around the world for tourist entertainment.
News
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NewsWork to begin on Mary Anning statue for Lyme Regis
A milestone has been reached in the campaign for a statue of fossil hunter Mary Anning in Lyme Regis.
21 January 2021 -
Science newsLithium carbonate has been produced from UK rocks for the first time
A breakthrough in domestic production could bring down the carbon footprint of lithium-ion batteries.
19 January 2021 -
Science newsAncient dire wolf DNA analysed for the first time – with surprising results
Extinct dire wolves, made famous in the TV show Game of Thrones, are only distant cousins of modern grey wolves.
14 January 2021 -
Science newsArmoured 'slug' among 503 new species described by Museum scientists in 2020
Museum scientists have described 503 new species this year.
Dinosaurs
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Science newsDinosaurs were not in decline before the asteroid wiped them out
Many groups of dinosaurs were doing rather well right up until the end.
18 November 2020 -
DinosaursA shepherd stumbles across sleeping giants in a dinosaur graveyard
This is thought to be one of the most significant dinosaur sites ever found in South Africa.
23 June 2020 -
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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Our Broken Planet
These photos will make you think twice about plastic
British photographer Mandy Barker assembles collections of plastic pulled from water around the world.
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Wildlife Photographer of the Year: separating entertainment from exploitation
Photojournalist Kirsten Luce reveals the distressing lives of the animals held captive around the world for tourist entertainment.
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AnthropoceneDoes climate change make wildfires worse?
Climate change is contributing to an increase in wildfires worldwide.
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NewsMuseum to go carbon neutral by 2035
The Museum has announced a plan to cut carbon emissions to net zero by 2035.
4 December 2020
What is the Anthropocene?
We are living in the age of humans, a time referred to by many as the Anthropocene.
British wildlife
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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 wildlife
How to make a bird box
Putting up a nesting box could be a big help to your local birds. Our simple design is ideal for small songbirds and sparrows.
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British wildlifeRobin (Erithacus rubecula)
Explore facts about this red-breasted festive icon.
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British wildlifeOtters are making themselves at home in UK cities
Otters are sprainting the town red (well, black) and are being spotted in city rivers across the UK.
What on Earth?
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What on Earth?Coelacanths: the fish that 'outdid' the Loch Ness Monster
Meet the remarkable fish that turned up alive in 1938, despite having been presumed extinct for 70 million years.
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What on Earth?Hagfishes: how much slime can a slime eel make?
There's more to the snot-like secretions of the internet-famous hagfish than meets the eye.
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What on Earth?Fantastic flyers: 10 animals that fly in surprising ways
The air isn't just for insects, bats ora birds - there are a few other animals that can take to the skies.
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What on Earth?Fantastic felines: a world of wild cats
Meet some of the small and elusive felines roaming wild around the world
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Space
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NewsNASA's OSIRIS-Rex spacecraft to make history in asteroid Bennu touch down
The spacecraft completed Touch-And-Go (TAG) sample collection.
21 October 2020 -
SpaceMars 2020: an essential guide to the mission
Where will the rover land, and will it find life on Mars?
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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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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
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Science newsThe earliest art in Britain was created in the Ice Age
Prehistoric societies in the Britain were creating artistic designs on rock as long ago as the late Ice Age.
19 August 2020 -
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.
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Human evolution
The cannibals of Gough's Cave
Dr Silvia Bello tells us about the gruesome yet fascinating behaviour of people living in a Somerset cave 14,700 years ago.
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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OceansDr Leanne Melbourne: inspiring young women to study ocean science
A young Leanne Melbourne never thought she would grow up to be a scientist.
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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.
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OceansExploring animal life on a hydrothermal vent
As well as intriguing vent animals, the team got to see humpback whales breaching in the bay.
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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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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.
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CollectionsJohn Edmonstone: the man who taught Darwin taxidermy
John Edmonstone was a former enslaved man who taught the young Charles Darwin the skill of taxidermy.
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Gilbert White: the modern naturalist
Gilbert White's talent and passion for observing and recording nature inspired many future naturalists, including Charles Darwin.
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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.
Wildlife photography
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Wildlife Photographer of the Year: separating entertainment from exploitation
Photojournalist Kirsten Luce reveals the distressing lives of the animals held captive around the world for tourist entertainment.
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Wildlife Photographer of the Year: People's Choice 2020
Voting is now open for the 2020 People's Choice Award. Discover some of this years images and vote for your favourite.
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Wildlife Photographer of the Year: nature on your doorstep
Explore the importance of urban wildlife with David Lindo, upcoming Wildlife Photographer of the Year judge and the Urban Birder.
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Wildlife Photographer of the Year: a tiger's territory
Discover what makes a winner with this year's Wildlife Photographer of the Year.
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Latest videos
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British wildlife
How to make fat balls for birds
Help your local wild birds to survive winter by putting out these nutritious fat balls.
-
What on Earth?
Why do goats faint and scream?
Discover the reality behind the ever-popular videos of screaming and fainting goats.
-
How to make animal paper snowflakes
Follow our instructions to make animal and other natural history inspired paper snowflakes.
With 10 free templates for you to download and print.
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British wildlife
Bringing back the carnivorous great sundew and other rare plants
How people power is saving plants from local extinction in North West England.
All articles
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News
Work to begin on Mary Anning statue for Lyme Regis
A milestone has been reached in the campaign for a statue of fossil hunter Mary Anning in Lyme Regis.
21 January 2021 -
British wildlife
How to make fat balls for birds
Help your local wild birds to survive winter by putting out these nutritious fat balls.
-
Science news
Lithium carbonate has been produced from UK rocks for the first time
A breakthrough in domestic production could bring down the carbon footprint of lithium-ion batteries.
19 January 2021 -
Our Broken Planet
These photos will make you think twice about plastic
British photographer Mandy Barker assembles collections of plastic pulled from water around the world.
-
Science news
Ancient dire wolf DNA analysed for the first time – with surprising results
Extinct dire wolves, made famous in the TV show Game of Thrones, are only distant cousins of modern grey wolves.
14 January 2021 -
What on Earth?
Why do goats faint and scream?
Discover the reality behind the ever-popular videos of screaming and fainting goats.
-
Wildlife Photographer of the Year: separating entertainment from exploitation
Photojournalist Kirsten Luce reveals the distressing lives of the animals held captive around the world for tourist entertainment.
-
What on Earth?What fantastic real-life beast are you?
Find out which real-life fantastic creature you are in this quiz.
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Science news
Armoured 'slug' among 503 new species described by Museum scientists in 2020
Museum scientists have described 503 new species this year.
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NewsMuseum to star in new Channel 5 series
The Museum is set to star in a new four-part primetime Channel 5 series.
22 December 2020 -
Science newsTwo new species of worm salamanders described from the Andes
One species is known only from a single specimen in the Museum's collection.
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Anthropocene
Does climate change make wildfires worse?
Climate change is contributing to an increase in wildfires worldwide.
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Science newsSome of the earliest organic materials ever found have been uncovered in meteorites
A meteorite from the birth of the solar system could tell us more about how life flourished on Earth.
11 December 2020 -
Science newsBeautiful new emerald-green mineral described from Cornwall
New minerals from the UK are very rare.
11 December 2020 -
NewsHayabusa2 returns precious asteroid samples to Earth after six-year mission
The spacecraft Hayabusa2 is arriving back to Earth after six years' travel through the solar system.
5 December 2020 -
News
Museum to go carbon neutral by 2035
The Museum has announced a plan to cut carbon emissions to net zero by 2035.
4 December 2020 -
Wildlife Photographer of the Year: People's Choice 2020
Voting is now open for the 2020 People's Choice Award. Discover some of this years images and vote for your favourite.
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Our Broken PlanetHorseshoe crab blood: the miracle vaccine ingredient that's saved millions of lives
Nature plays a huge part in the medicines we rely on every day.
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Science newsFossils of sea monster eyes shed light on animal evolution
Radiodont eye fossils inform scientists of the role of vision in evolution.
2 December 2020 -
What on Earth?
Coelacanths: the fish that 'outdid' the Loch Ness Monster
Meet the remarkable fish that turned up alive in 1938, despite having been presumed extinct for 70 million years.
-
How to make animal paper snowflakes
Follow our instructions to make animal and other natural history inspired paper snowflakes.
With 10 free templates for you to download and print.
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Science newsNew insights will help the world protect future wheat supplies
The world needs wheat crops that are bountiful, disease resistant and able to thrive in soil without fertilisers.
25 November 2020 -
NewsCurator Miranda Lowe conquers BBC's Woman's Hour Power List 2020
Miranda Lowe makes it onto BBC's Woman's Hour Power List 2020.
19 November 2020 -
Wildlife Photographer of the Year: nature on your doorstep
Explore the importance of urban wildlife with David Lindo, upcoming Wildlife Photographer of the Year judge and the Urban Birder.
