National Geographic News

WEEK IN PHOTOS: Speedboat Santas, Baby Hippo, and More

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Speedboating Santas in Australia, a rare swimming hippo baby, and tiger-striped Chinese dancers star in this week's best news photos.

Bizarre Squid Sex Techniques Revealed

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0000

New insights into the animals intimate encounters include species that cut holes into their partners for sex, squid that swap genders, and males that deploy flesh-burrowing sperm.

Whistling Orangutan May Hint at Language Evolution

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0000

A zoo orangutan who learned to whistle could offer clues about the origins of human speech.

VIDEO: Obama Debuts in Nativity Scenes

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Miniature statues of President-elect Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, have gone on sale in Naples for use in Christmas nativity scenes.

VIDEO: Monkeys Threaten Puerto Rico

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Monkeys from a now-defunct research facility are roaming wild in southwestern Puerto Rico, threatening farmers' livelihoods, and causing public health concerns

"Sexy" Tusks Led to New Whale Species?

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0000

The two curled, tusklike teeth of the male beaked whale evolved to attract females as well as to battle other males, according to new research.

Methane Bubbling Up From Undersea Permafrost?

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0000

The East Siberian Sea is bubbling with methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, being released from underwater reserves, according to a recent expedition.

Life on Mars? "Missing Mineral" Find Boosts Chances

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0000

The possibility that life took hold on early Mars got a boost this week with the announcement of the first discovery of the previously "missing" mineral magnesium carbonate on the red planet.

TOP TEN ARCHAEOLOGY FINDS: Most Read of 2008

Thu, 1 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

Lost cities, baffling pyramids, and ancient graveyards are just some of the mysteries covered in National Geographic News's most viewed archaeology stories of 2008.

Dinosaur Dads Played "Mr. Mom"?

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0000

The fatherly care birds show towards their offspring may have its roots in dinosaur behavior, a new study shows.

TOP TEN DINOSAUR & FOSSIL FINDS: Most Read of 2008

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Bizarre prehistoric creatures--sea monsters, gargantuan rodents, a redheaded Neanderthal--are among the stars of the most read stories on dinosaurs and fossils by National Geographic News in 2008.