Find answers to your big nature questions. Delve into stories about our research, scientists and the collections we care for. Uncover the history of life on Earth, from the smallest insects to the largest mammals.
News
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Science news
Most comprehensive seal family tree reveals the hidden history of walruses
Seal diversity is just a snapshot of the species that used to exist.
24 May 2024 -
Science news
New species of ‘Dune-like’ carnivorous worm described from UK fossils
An ancient worm may have dragged itself along the sea floor, consuming whatever prey it could find.
23 May 2024 -
News
Origin of the Sun’s magnetic field discovered under the star’s surface
New research into the Sun's magnetism could make solar storms easier to predict.
22 May 2024 -
News
A third of surveyed UK bird species have declined since the 1990s
Some of the UK’s most recognisable birds are vanishing before our eyes.
21 May 2024
Dippy the Diplodocus 3D skull
Rotate, zoom in and explore the features of this popular dinosaur.
Anthropocene
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Anthropocene
Can seagrass sow hope for the planetary emergency?
Seagrass meadows store carbon, safeguard shorelines and support marine life. But they’re disappearing at a rapid rate.
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News
A third of surveyed UK bird species have declined since the 1990s
Some of the UK’s most recognisable birds are vanishing before our eyes.
21 May 2024 -
Anthropocene
Remembering the Tasmanian tiger or thylacine
Looking back at the story of the Tasmanian tiger, the echoes of colonialism and its impact on Australia’s wildlife today.
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News
Blueprint launched to save 1,000 of the world’s most threatened fishes
A new project to kickstart conservation for some of the world’s rarest fishes is making a splash.
15 May 2024
Our Broken Planet: The Podcast
Hear from scientists, activists and people at the forefront of the climate and biodiversity crises.
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.
Wildlife photography
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Wildlife photography
Wildlife Photographer of the Year: Bobcat Bounty
Killing predators comes with big prize money in the USA. Photographer Karine Aigner goes behind the scenes of contests where hunters win and nature loses.
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News
Wildlife Photographer of the Year 59 People’s Choice winner announced
Nima Sarikhani’s stunning picture of a sleeping polar bear was crowned 2023's People's Choice.
7 February 2024 -
Wildlife photography
Wildlife Photographer of the Year 59: People’s Choice shortlist
Discover this year's shortlisted images and don't forget to vote for your favourite.
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News
Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2023 winning images
The image, titled The Golden Horseshoe, has won Laurent Ballesta his second Wildlife Photographer of the Year Grand Title award.
10 October 2023
Latest videos
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Collections
Our LGBTQ+ video tour
Take a virtual tour of the Natural History Museum and explore the astonishing diversity of the natural world.
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Dinosaurs
What happens when you find a dinosaur?
If you know what you’re looking at, little bits of bone can add up to something big.
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Dinosaurs
The Isle of Wight: Welcome to Dinosaur Island
Discover a treasure trove of fossils just off Britain’s south coast.
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Fossil hunting: How to find fossils on the beach
All it takes is a bit of practice and plenty of patience.
All articles
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Science news
Most comprehensive seal family tree reveals the hidden history of walruses
Seal diversity is just a snapshot of the species that used to exist.
24 May 2024 -
Science news
New species of ‘Dune-like’ carnivorous worm described from UK fossils
An ancient worm may have dragged itself along the sea floor, consuming whatever prey it could find.
23 May 2024 -
Anthropocene
Can seagrass sow hope for the planetary emergency?
Seagrass meadows store carbon, safeguard shorelines and support marine life. But they’re disappearing at a rapid rate.
-
News
Origin of the Sun’s magnetic field discovered under the star’s surface
New research into the Sun's magnetism could make solar storms easier to predict.
22 May 2024 -
News
A third of surveyed UK bird species have declined since the 1990s
Some of the UK’s most recognisable birds are vanishing before our eyes.
21 May 2024 -
Science news
Earliest animal ecosystems may have played a role in the evolution of complex life
The first animal communities could have impacted on how complex life evolved over 550 million years ago.
17 May 2024 -
Anthropocene
Remembering the Tasmanian tiger or thylacine
Looking back at the story of the Tasmanian tiger, the echoes of colonialism and its impact on Australia’s wildlife today.
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News
Blueprint launched to save 1,000 of the world’s most threatened fishes
A new project to kickstart conservation for some of the world’s rarest fishes is making a splash.
15 May 2024 -
News
2023 was the northern hemisphere’s hottest summer in 2,000 years
New research suggests that Europe hasn’t had as warm a summer since the time of the Romans.
14 May 2024 -
News
Governments falling short of protecting the world’s oceans
Protections for the world’s oceans need strengthening, a new report suggests.
9 May 2024 -
British wildlife
Making room for mushrooms
Sal Chebbah talks about her love of mushrooms and how they can bind communities together.
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Anthropocene
The resilient coral reefs surviving ocean warming
Ocean warming is threatening coral reefs but some reefs are surviving the warming waters and offer hope for these vital ecosystems.
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News
Orangutan spotted treating head wound with medicinal plant
It is the first time a wild animal has been seen applying a medicinal plant to an injury.
2 May 2024 -
Science news
Organic compost and diverse gardens are best for the UK’s earthworms
Making our gardens earthworm friendly could help urban spaces become more resilient.
30 April 2024 -
British wildlife
Bright and beautiful: The UK’s most colourful birds
From fiery red to electric blue, birds in the UK are a riot of colour.
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Anthropocene
Future proofing with fungi
From helping us grow our food to tackling our plastic waste problem, fungi can help us achieve a more sustainable future.
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News
The world’s largest ever salmon had tusk-like teeth
Scientists now know more about how the three-metre-long Oncorhynchus rastrosus might have looked.
24 April 2024 -
Science news
Laser technology could help curb the illegal trade in ivory
Every year thousands of elephants are still killed for their ivory.
24 April 2024 -
News
Giant marine reptile found in the UK could be the largest ever discovered
A fossil jawbone, which may belong to the largest marine reptile ever discovered, has been found in Somerset.
19 April 2024 -
News
Rewild the soil: The largest urban rewilding project is going underground
The largest urban rewilding project in the UK is happening on an old golf course.
18 April 2024 -
Science news
Rising water levels threaten the survival of the lesser flamingo
The lesser flamingo is in danger of losing its feeding and breeding grounds.
12 April 2024 -
British wildlife
Flock Together: In our own words
The positivity and radical power of Flock Together – the UK’s first birdwatching collective for and by people of colour – as told by its members.
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News
River restoration is encouraging Atlantic salmon to return to heart of UK
For the first time in 100 years, Atlantic salmon are once again spawning in the upper waters of the River Derwent.
8 April 2024 -
What on Earth?
Do birds pee?
What are those milky white splatters – are they pee or poo?