Human activity might undo more than 50 billion years of evolution
At least 50 billion years worth of unique evolutionary history is at risk, a new study found.
Tag: extinction
Drought and human expansion are driving the platypus extinct
One of the world's most unique mammals is heading for extinction.
Neanderthal extinction could have been driven by inbreeding, demographic issues — not modern humans
"Our results indicate that the disappearance of Neanderthals might have resided in the smallness of their population(s) alone," the paper's ...
Koalas might not be functionally extinct — but they’re in huge trouble
It's unclear if the species really is functionally extinct -- but koalas have been in trouble for a long time.
‘Lost’ deer species rediscovered after 30 years
The adorable-looking fanged critter has been rediscovered in Vietnam after it was presumed extinct for three decades.
Stop climate change or the Emperor penguins die, a new paper warns
I love penguins.
The last mammoths lived on a remote island in the Arctic
They died-off suddenly -- but perhaps not dramatically.
Pixelated images showcase how close these species are to extinction
You'll have to squint.
Human-driven extinction cost New Zealand 50 million years’ worth of bird evolution
Losses include but are not limited to those giant eagles at the end of Lord of the Rings.
8 bird species have disappeared this decade or are on the brink of extinction
This includes the Spix’s Macaw, the lovely birds which inspired the main characters in Rio.
Researchers are one step closer to saving the northern white rhino from complete extinction
With only two females surviving in captivity, the species is functionally extinct.
The birth of forests helped drive two massive, ancient extinctions
They did not come in peace.
Timeline for giant sloth extinction rewritten by new analysis
A little dirt makes a lot of difference.
Giraffes quietly dropped down to ‘Endangered list’
Giraffes have been undergoing a silent extinction.
Shark numbers plummet by 92% in Australian waters
Sharks are declining at an alarming rate.
Exploding stars may have wiped off large ocean life 2.5 million years ago
The planet's largest shark may have been killed by a supernova.
Researchers want to clone 40,000-year-old extinct horse — a step towards woolly mammoth resurrection
A 40,000-year-old baby horse recovered from Siberian ice may help de-extinct species.
Extremely cold climate may have sealed Neanderthals’ extinction
Climate change was unforgiving with the Neanderthals.
‘Survival of the laziest’: species that consume less energy better suited to dodging extinction
For some species, chilling is the best survival strategy.
EDITOR'S PICKS
Is the tomato a fruit or a vegetable? Why not both?
It depends on whether you ask a botanist or a cook.
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