Breeding the "Snot Otter"
The gigantic Ozark hellbender salamander is in trouble in the wild, but one zoo—and a hard-working team—is helping to boost its populations
Extinction Countdown
News and research about endangered species from around the world
Found but Lost: Newly Discovered Shark May Be Extinct
Carcharhinus obsolerus (that’s Latin for “extinct”) swam in the waters of the western Pacific, but it hasn’t been seen in 80-plus years...
Hawaii's Snail Extinction Crisis: "We're Just Trying to Stop the Bleeding"
The death of a snail named George on New Year’s Day marked the extinction of his species. Saving the rest of Hawaii’s unique snails is a race against time—but not one without hope...
The Biggest Issues for Wildlife and Endangered Species in 2019
It’s going to be a rough year, but we’ll also see some progress
Swampy Thing: The Giant New Salamander Species Discovered in Florida and Alabama
After decades of rumors and searches, the existence of a two-foot-long amphibian called “the reticulated siren” has finally been confirmed
You Can't Save a Species If It Doesn't Have a Name
A newly discovered plant genus could be wiped out by dams and mining. Could giving it a name save it from extinction?
Trump, Zombie Deregulation and the Hawaiian Hawk
A bid to remove the bird from the Endangered Species Act has emerged once again—long after the disappearance of the organization that proposed its removal
Shock as China Legalizes Medicinal Trade in Rhino Horns and Tiger Parts
In a move that shocked and horrified many conservationists, China this week opened up two legal markets for rhino horns and tiger body parts. Under China’s new rules, which overturn a 25-year-old ban, farm-raised tiger and rhino “products” can be approved for use in medical research or by accredited doctors in hospitals, despite the fact that the body parts have no known medicinal value...
Conservationists: Don't Give Up on the "Living Dead"
Small, remnant populations might look like they’re doomed, but a new study says they could still deserve protection...
Prickly but Unprotected: 18 Percent of Cactus Species at Risk
A new study—the first of its kind—finds the world’s conservation areas fail to protect hundreds of rare cactus species...
Blog Index
@ScientificAmerican
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Anecdotes from the Archive
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Anthropology in Practice
Exploring the human condition.
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Beautiful Minds
Insights into intelligence, creativity, personality, and well-being
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Budding Scientist
Everything you always wanted to know about raising science-literate kids
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Cross-Check
Critical views of science in the news
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Dark Star Diaries
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Dog Spies
Explore the science behind the dog in your bed
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Extinction Countdown
News and research about endangered species from around the world
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Eye of the Storm
The Science Behind Extreme Weather
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Frontiers for Young Minds
Science by and for kids ages 8-15
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Guest Blog
Commentary invited by editors of Scientific American
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Hot Planet
Climate science in a changing world
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Illusion Chasers
Illusions, Delusions, and Everyday Deceptions
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Life, Unbounded
Discussion and news about planets, exoplanets, and astrobiology
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Observations
Opinion, arguments & analyses from guest experts and from the editors of Scientific American
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Roots of Unity
Mathematics: learning it, doing it, celebrating it.
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Rosetta Stones
Adventures in the good science of rock-breaking.
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SA Visual
STAFFIllustrating science since 1845
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Talking back
STAFFA science blog, sans blague
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The Artful Amoeba
A Blog About the Weird Wonderfulness of Life on Earth
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Voices
Exploring and celebrating diversity in science.
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