Nature & Ecology

The Science of the Bristlecone Pine: Deep Time

Meet the oldest living thing on Earth. Discover the Bristlecone Pine and the extreme biology of slow-motion survival in the High Sierras.

The Science of Bromelain: Protein Digestion

Why does pineapple make your mouth tingle? Discover Bromelain and the aggressive biology of Proteolytic Enzymes.

The Science of Butterfly Wings: Structural Color

Why are some butterflies so brilliant? Discover the 'Blue Morpho' and the biological nanotechnology of Photonic Crystals in butterfly wings.

The Science of the Caterpillar Snake: Batesian Mimicry

How does a worm look like a snake? Discover the Hemeroplanes caterpillar and the extreme biological mechanics of larval Batesian Mimicry.

The Biology of the Cheetah: Skeletal Mechanics

How does a cat reach 70 mph? Discover the Cheetah and the extreme biological physics of the Flexible Spine and Dual-Suspension Gallop.

The Science of the Cicada Molt: Exoskeleton Hydrostatics

How does an insect step out of its own skin? Discover the Cicada and the extreme biological physics of Molting and Hardening.

The Science of Lunar Spawning: Coral Synchronization

How do millions of corals spawn at the exact same second? Discover the biology of Lunar Cycle Synchronization and the Cry-protein light sensors in the reef.

The Science of the Coral Reef: Calcium Carbonate Deposition

How does an animal build a mountain? Discover the Coral Polyp and the chemistry of Calcium Carbonate that creates the planet's largest biological structures.

The Science of the Cricket Ear: Auditory Spiracles

Where are a cricket's ears? Discover the bizarre biology of the Cricket Ear, located on its legs, and the internal acoustic tubes that allow it to hear.

The Science of the Cuckoo Bird: Brood Parasitism

Meet the world's most successful biological hacker. Discover the Common Cuckoo and the extreme biology of Egg Mimicry and Brood Parasitism.

The Science of Darwin's Frog: Vocal Sac Brooding

How does a male frog 'Give Birth' through its mouth? Discover the Darwin's Frog and the bizarre biology of Vocal Sac Brooding.

The Science of Subsurface Life: 10 Miles Deep

How deep does life go? Discover the extreme microbiology of the Earth's Crust and the life forms living in solid rock 10 miles down.