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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Wildlife Photographer of the Year: Meet Kathy Moran the new Chair of the Jury
As the Competition moves into its fifty-ninth year, we welcome Kathy Moran as the new Chair of the Jury.
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Human evolutionHomo floresiensis: the real-life 'hobbit'?
Fierce debate has raged about the origins of the tiny ancient human species Homo floresiensis, nicknamed the 'hobbit'.
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British wildlifeInvasion of the giant spiders? Not quite
Are giant spiders invading Britain's homes? Find out with expert Stuart Hine.
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CollectionsHidden Treasures: the behind-the-scenes tours where you tell us what to explore
Catch up on the latest episodes of our interactive behind-the-scenes live stream.
News
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Science newsAn ancient hairy, armoured worm lived in the oceans over 500 million years ago
A fossil from China has filled in a major gap in the evolutionary tree for life on Earth.
29 September 2022 -
Science newsHow scientists are saving Ukraine's cultural heritage during the Russian invasion
In the midst of war, scientists have been working to protect historic artworks.
28 September 2022 -
Science newsRyugu asteroid samples offer insight into early years of the solar system
Researchers have caught a glimpse of the cosmos just two million years after the formation of the solar system.
22 September 2022 -
Science newsClimate change will increase termite activity, releasing more carbon dioxide
Termites could reduce the amount of carbon stored in wood as the world gets hotter and drier.
22 September 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 -
DinosaursHow 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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Science news
Climate change will increase termite activity, releasing more carbon dioxide
Termites could reduce the amount of carbon stored in wood as the world gets hotter and drier.
22 September 2022 -
AnthropoceneThe baiji: why this extinct river dolphin still matters
Sometimes reminding ourselves of a conservation failure can be just as important as celebrating our successes.
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NewsNet zero is cheaper and greener than continuing the use of fossil fuels
Going green is no longer just the smart decision – it's also the most profitable one.
13 September 2022 -
NewsGreta Thunberg warns 'humanity's life support is being destroyed' on visit to the Museum
Greta Thunberg and the Museum have teamed up to help educate students on the importance of tackling both the climate and biodiversity crises.
8 September 2022
Wild Crimes podcast
Uncover 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 wildlifeUK moths: nine of the most colourful and distinctive
Check out these flamboyant flyers who are challenging moths' drab reputation with style.
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British wildlife
Lugworm poos and the secrets they hold
Have you ever noticed the small mounds of sand on a beach at low tide? These are lugworm poos, and they hold a secret.
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British wildlifeSeven insect heroes of pollination
Pollination is not just the work of honeybees. Meet some of the buzzing, bold and beautiful insects carrying out this critical task.
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British wildlifeSlow worms: Britain's most unusual lizards
If you see a snake blink at you, it's not a snake.
What on Earth?
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What on Earth?Whale sharks: Meet the world’s biggest shark
Whale sharks can be huge. But even experts aren’t entirely sure just how big they can get.
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AnthropoceneTumbleweeds: the fastest plant invasion in the USA's history
Tumbleweeds have starred in many movies, but their representation in popular media may be somewhat misleading.
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What on Earth?Giant and colossal squid: revealing the secrets of the largest invertebrates
Scientists have only just begun to reveal what the lives of giant and colossal squid are like in the past two decades.
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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.
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.
3 November 2021 -
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!
Collections
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Anthropocene
The baiji: why this extinct river dolphin still matters
Sometimes reminding ourselves of a conservation failure can be just as important as celebrating our successes.
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CollectionsJohn James Audubon: creator of The Birds of America book
John James Audubon was a self-taught ornithologist and artist. He was also a contradictory figure.
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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 -
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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NewsFirst Look at Wildlife Photographer of the Year 58
Get a sneak peek at some of the powerful photographs from this year's Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition.
1 September 2022 -
Wildlife photographyWildlife Photographer of the Year The rise and fall of the humble herring
The herring narrowly escaped extinction in the twentieth century. But while some populations have recovered to healthy levels, others are still threatened by illegal fishing.
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Wildlife photographyWPY Horizons: five photographers to watch
Go beyond the camera and discover five wildlife photographers who are using their work to celebrate the natural world and those protecting it.
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Wildlife photographyWildlife Photographer of the Year: When the Wetland Caught Fire
Edson Vandeira's image of the burnt corpse of a yacare caiman exposes the devastating impact of the Brazilian Pantanal wetland fires.
Latest videos
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Collections
Hidden Treasures: the behind-the-scenes tours where you tell us what to explore
Catch up on the latest episodes of our interactive behind-the-scenes live stream.
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British wildlife
How to pond dip
Pond dipping is a wonderful way to look at the creatures that live in and around pond water.
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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 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.
All articles
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Wildlife Photographer of the Year: Meet Kathy Moran the new Chair of the Jury
As the Competition moves into its fifty-ninth year, we welcome Kathy Moran as the new Chair of the Jury.
-
Science news
An ancient hairy, armoured worm lived in the oceans over 500 million years ago
A fossil from China has filled in a major gap in the evolutionary tree for life on Earth.
29 September 2022 -
Human evolution
Homo floresiensis: the real-life 'hobbit'?
Fierce debate has raged about the origins of the tiny ancient human species Homo floresiensis, nicknamed the 'hobbit'.
-
Science news
How scientists are saving Ukraine's cultural heritage during the Russian invasion
In the midst of war, scientists have been working to protect historic artworks.
28 September 2022 -
Science news
Ryugu asteroid samples offer insight into early years of the solar system
Researchers have caught a glimpse of the cosmos just two million years after the formation of the solar system.
22 September 2022 -
Science news
Climate change will increase termite activity, releasing more carbon dioxide
Termites could reduce the amount of carbon stored in wood as the world gets hotter and drier.
22 September 2022 -
Science newsEarly English Anglo-Saxons descended from mass European migration
The people after which England is named made up more than three quarters of the nation's genetic ancestry during the early Middle Ages.
21 September 2022 -
Science newsAncient crater lakes on Mars could have hosted life
Investigating Mars' dry lakes could help scientists to discover how life began on Earth.
16 September 2022 -
Science newsThe oldest known animal with mammalian-like teeth unearthed in Brazil
The dental record of a small animal has pushed back the origin of mammals by 20 million years.
16 September 2022 -
Science newsSmall fossil reptile could help to explain large evolutionary mystery
The description of an extinct lizard-like animal may help reveal why its kind were rapidly pushed to the edge of extinction.
15 September 2022 -
Anthropocene
The baiji: why this extinct river dolphin still matters
Sometimes reminding ourselves of a conservation failure can be just as important as celebrating our successes.
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Science newsSize, not sex, is key to the development of wildebeest horns
Female wildebeest are engaged in an evolutionary arms race - but scientists aren't sure why.
14 September 2022 -
News
Net zero is cheaper and greener than continuing the use of fossil fuels
Going green is no longer just the smart decision – it's also the most profitable one.
13 September 2022 -
NewsGliding reptiles have been taking to the skies for 260 million years
Researchers have reconstructed one of the first gliding reptiles in extraordinary detail.
12 September 2022 -
NewsHer Majesty The Queen
The Natural History Museum pays tribute to Her Majesty The Queen.
9 September 2022 -
NewsWork begins on the Museum's landmark garden redevelopment
The works are part of the wider Urban Nature Project.
8 September 2022 -
News
Greta Thunberg warns 'humanity's life support is being destroyed' on visit to the Museum
Greta Thunberg and the Museum have teamed up to help educate students on the importance of tackling both the climate and biodiversity crises.
8 September 2022 -
NewsEuropean moles can shrink by a tenth in winter to save energy
A new study shows the tunnelling mammals are among a handful of mammals known to be capable of an unusual process known as Dehnel's phenomenon.
7 September 2022 -
NewsHMS Challenger: How a 150-year-old expedition still influences scientific discoveries today
Over a century ago, one of the most important scientific expeditions in history departed from the UK to explore the oceans of the world.
6 September 2022 -
NewsTo the moon and beyond: An essential guide to Artemis I
NASA prepares to launch its uncrewed test flight to the moon.
3 September 2022 -
Collections
Hidden Treasures: the behind-the-scenes tours where you tell us what to explore
Catch up on the latest episodes of our interactive behind-the-scenes live stream.
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NewsMoist mountain mice grow bigger than their drier relatives
Andean mice grow differently depending on what side of the mountain they come from.
1 September 2022 -
NewsThe cost of carbon dioxide may be four times higher than thought
Carbon dioxide could be being undervalued by over 70% in the USA, making the cost effectiveness of climate action appear much lower than it actually is.
1 September 2022 -
News
First Look at Wildlife Photographer of the Year 58
Get a sneak peek at some of the powerful photographs from this year's Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition.
1 September 2022
