Mother of Gardens

How do you get from genes to behavior (and back again)?

Biologist Scott Robinson answers questions about cowbirds and other bullies in the animal kingdom.

Marine biologists Colleen Reichmuth and Kristy Lindemann-Biolsi answer questions about brainy pinnipeds.

George and Roberta Poinar answer questions about all things amber, including diseases preserved from the dinosaur era.

Fearless spider tracker Maydianne Andrade answers questions about her life and work.

Hunting down the most venomous animals to reveal their medical mysteries

Dogs, dolphins, parrots, and even octopuses (mere mollusks!) may be smarter than you think.

Watch as a dolphin’s reading ability is put to the test.

One woman's 30-year relationship with an African gray parrot transformed our understanding of bird intelligence.

These brainy marine mammals can "read," plan ahead, and communicate in astounding ways.

From bed bugs to eyelash mites, a jungle of insects and arachnids thrives on and around the human body.

See some of Nature's stickiest, toughest, and cleanest materials, and learn how they are inspiring new products.

Listen to a variety of dog barks—from woofs to whines—and try to interpret their meaning.

From a 122-year-old woman to the oldest organism on Earth, explore cases of remarkable longevity.

Hear experts "pitch" for dogs, cats, honeybees, hyenas, and other smart species, then vote for your favorite.

When it comes to camouflage, few species can outdo an octopus.

Could social intelligence be the key to hyenas' deadly hunting skills?

Biologist Maydianne Andrade says that the gruesome mating behavior of some spiders is a lesson in evolution.

Hear what amateur birders looking for the ivory-billed woodpecker have to say about their hunt for the elusive bird.