National Geographic

Famous Frog ‘Toughie’ Dies, Sending Species to Extinction

The tree frog's loss warns of other extinctions, says the photographer who featured the animal in his Photo Ark project.<p>And then there were none.<p>Toughie, the world's last Rabbs' fringe-limbed tree frog and a symbol of the extinction crisis, has died at his home in the Atlanta Botanical Garden.<p>The …

What ‘Star Trek’ May Have Right—and Wrong—About Alien Life

Will we ever salute Vulcans or cuddle Tribbles? An astrobiologist explores the latest thinking on the forms alien life might really take.<p>Over an illustrious 50-year history, <i>Star Trek</i> TV shows and movies have introduced audiences to some of the most famous fictional aliens. Be they Klingons, …

Finding Scotland on a Drive Along the North Coast 500

Drive this highway loop and discover northern Scotland's stunning landscapes, vibrant communities, and ancient history.<p>Davie Nicolson is a small, wiry man of 54 with a white horseshoe mustache and his Harley-Davidson cap worn tight and low, lest it be blown out to sea. A fading tattoo on his left …

What Happens to Smuggled Animals After They’re Seized?

Johannesburg, South Africa<p>The world’s wildlife trade policy body wants better treatment and tracking of illegally traded animals confiscated by authorities.<p>We’ve heard a lot recently about illegal trading of elephant ivory and rhino horn, but it’s not only animal parts that smugglers attempt to …

Our Part of the Milky Way is Four Times Bigger Than We Thought

Radio astronomers announce a major new finding that changes how scientists view the structure of our home galaxy.<p>The section of the Milky Way galaxy that contains our solar system is four times larger than astronomers previously thought.<p>Published in the journal <i>Science Advances</i> this week, a new …

Wild Atlantic Way

Ireland’s golden shores and steep cliffs set the scene for a beautiful weekend, an epic road trip, and unforgettable moments along the Wild Atlantic Way.

Arctic Climbers Sail and Sing Their Way Through the “Dodo’s Delight”

Watch their journey from Greenland to Baffin Island in this short film, part of this year’s REEL ROCK tour.<p>You’ve heard of skiers hiring helicopters to drop them atop forbidding peaks. But you’ve probably never heard of any rock climbers chartering sailboats across iceberg-ridden oceans to reach …

Watch: Rosetta Spacecraft Crashing Into a Comet

The first spacecraft to orbit a comet will soon meet a dramatic end. Find out how to see it happen and what we’ve learned from the mission.<p>At about 6:40 a.m. ET (10:40 a.m. GMT) on September 30, a robotic pioneer will go from dust to dust: The European Space Agency is intentionally crash-landing …

The World Is Finally Getting Serious About Tiger Farms

Johannesburg, South Africa<p>Tiger farms supply the black market with skins, bones, and other parts. Now, at an international wildlife trade conference, China and other Asian countries face pressure to shut them down.<p>China came under pressure today for allowing the intensive breeding and sale of tiger …

Coming Up: For the Love of Travel Twitter Chat

Join @NatGeoTravel on Twitter to discuss how our interests influence our travel experiences.<p>This month, we want to explore the whys of travel. Do you travel for the love of parks, music, outdoor activities, cities, food, or cultural immersion? How will you choose your next trip? Our interests and …

Deepest Underwater Cave Discovered

Czech-Polish expedition masters dive challenges to get to the bottom of a European abyss.<p>A team of explorers in the Czech Republic has just discovered the world’s deepest underwater cave. The legendary Polish diver Krzysztof Starnawski, leading a Czech-Polish expedition supported in part by a …

One Tiny Wasp Turns Fig Trees Into Eden

Birds, bats, monkeys by the dozen: A fruiting fig tree is a riot of life. It all goes back to the tree's ancient partnership with an insect.<p>“This is what makes them very special: At any point in time in the tropical forest, there is a fig that has fruit.”<p>German photographer Christian Ziegler, a …

Intimate Photos Show the Power of the African American Museum

National Geographic photographer Ruddy Roye captured meaningful moments during the opening of the long-awaited museum.<p>It is not a one-day museum. The works in the new National Museum of African American History and Culture climb on your back and compel you to wrestle with their realities.<p>I …

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Saving the World's Oceans Is This Marine Biologist's Life Pursuit

Sylvia Earle, an unstoppable force at 81, wants 20% of Earth's oceans declared protected marine areas by 2020.<p>If there’s ever a Mount Rushmore for conservationists, Sylvia Earle’s likeness would surely be among those carved in granite.<p>Or perhaps coral might be more a more fitting sculpture material …

The September 30 Black Moon Explained

Find out what this lunar event really means, and why it’s actually impossible to see a black moon rising.<p>Humans have long had a fascination with lunar events—and with the rise of the Internet, all kinds of moon moments have become media sensations. Consider super moons, harvest moons, and the rare …

How Human Violence Stacks Up Against Other Killer Animals

Humans get some of their knack for killing each other from the primate family tree, a new study says—but that doesn’t let us off the hook.<p>Humans inherited a propensity for violence from our primate ancestors, a new study says, making it easy to think, “Ah, see—we really are just animals.” But that …

Debunking the Myth of the ‘Real’ Robinson Crusoe

Alexander Selkirk was marooned on an island for more than four years. But his story was very different from the famous novel.<p>For centuries, the English-speaking world has been enchanted by stories of people trapped on islands. Think <i>Lord of the Flies</i>, <i>Cast Away</i>, or even <i>Gilligan’s Island</i>.<p>Real-life …

The World’s Most Trafficked Mammal Just Got Desperately Needed Help

Johannesburg, South Africa<p>Proposals to ban international trade in pangolins received near unanimous support from the body charged with helping save threatened animals.<p>Things have suddenly looked up for pangolins, cat-size scaly creatures found across Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. The body that …

Why Hotel Points Programs Matter

Learn how to pick a program and earn rewards fast with these simple steps.<p>When it comes to loyalty programs, most people immediately think of airline miles. However, hotel points can be even more valuable in terms of saving money and earning travel rewards quickly. Here’s how to pick the right …

Lights, Action, Cameras: New Tech for Adventure Videos

Smaller units, increased resolution, and flying capability give the new generation of action cameras an edge on land, at sea, and in the air.<p>Built rugged, waterproof, and designed to mount anywhere—helmets, SUP paddles, on small drones—action cameras are the go-to tool for documenting adventures of …

Tiny Real-Life Horse of Greek Myth Headed for Extinction

Skyros ponies, thought to have pulled Achilles' legendary chariot, have declined to about 200 animals left on Earth.<p>The breed that may have pulled Achilles’ legendary chariot is in danger of becoming resigned to the history books itself.<p>The semi-wild Skyrian horse, or Skyros pony, has lived on the …

To Celebrate National Parks, We Want Your Instagram Photos

Share your best photos with the hashtag #WilderNextGen.<p>The national parks have seen record attendance this year. While on assignment for National Geographic, photographer Corey Arnold found that—contrary to the notion of a younger generation holed up inside with technology—millennials are engaging …

Around the World in 10 Books

Send your imagination to distant lands with our fall reading list.<p>We believe every season is book season, so we found 10 new picks for you to cozy up with this fall. Whether you’re an armchair traveler looking for a quick getaway or a restless adventurer who’s already at the airport, these stories …

American Bike Project: Where to Sleep

National Geographic Travel photographer Tyler Metcalfe recently quit his job and sold off his possessions to embark on an epic solo adventure of cross-country cycling that has dealt him many ups and downs.<p>If travel experiences were judged solely based on the number of different places a traveler …

What Can We Learn From a Nazi Time Capsule?

Archaeologists recently dug up a long-buried capsule underneath a former Nazi training facility.<p>A time capsule buried in Hitler’s Germany was unearthed recently in modern-day Poland. The capsule hadn’t moved in 82 years, but the world above had changed dramatically.<p>In 1934, the capsule, a copper …

Rare Wildlife Portraits From Photographers Who Click Together

Photographers Uri Golman and Helle Olsen travel the world to capture images of endangered species and threatened habitats.<p>Whether they're shooting fashion models, sports, or nature, photographers generally operate as solo artists.<p>But after meeting aboard a ship sailing through Greenland National …

Global Warming Is Real—But 13 Degrees? Not So Fast

Scientists are dismissing a new study suggesting Earth could already be doomed to warming of as much as 13 degrees Fahrenheit.<p>New research suggesting that the planet might already be committed to vastly greater warming than previously thought is being dismissed as deeply flawed by prominent climate …

Climbing ‘Fire Mountain’

High hopes amid high temperatures fuel a hunt for ancient rock art in Namibia.<p>Brandberg mountain is burning.<p>A remorseless globe of sun is scalding the sky. Rocks scattered on the mountain are too hot to touch. Shade is the only shield from oppression.<p>I’m three hours into climbing Namibia’s remote …

11 Blissful Escapes

Whether you are looking to relax or rave, these experiences will give you a mental and physical reboot.<p>1. Cool Cloister<p><b>Quebec City, Canada</b> <br>Recently opened in the heart of Old Quebec, Le Monastère des Augustines offers the serenity of a convent but with options for yoga and scrapbooking thrown in. …