core/classic-editor

lede_post_card_default

lede_post_card_stacked

lede_post_card_featured_post

lede_post_card_featured_post_3:2

lede_post_card_featured_post_1:1

lede_post_card_featured_posts_hero

lede_post_card_featured_posts_hero_3:2

lede_post_card_featured_posts_hero_1:1

lede_post_card_featured_posts_sidebar

lede_post_card_highlighted_post

lede_post_card_horizontal_a

lede_post_card_horizontal_c

lede_post_card_related_post

lede_post_card_square

lede_article_featured_16x9

lede_article_featured_16x9_full_width

lede_article_featured_3x2

lede_article_featured_3x2_full_width

lede_article_featured_1x1

lede_article_featured_1x1_full_width

lede_article_featured_flexible

lede_article_featured_flexible_full_width

lede_article_content

lede_article_content_wide_width

lede_article_content_full_width

lede_byline_avatar_post_card

lede_byline_avatar_highlight

lede_profile_coral_avatar

lede_logo

lede_logo_banner

lede_logo_footer_banner

lede_logo_simple_header

lede_sponsorship_logo

lede_sponsorship_logo_river_card

lede_sponsorship_homepage_card_logo

lede_sponsorship_homepage_card

lede_leaderboard

Footer 1

Nav Bar

Nautilus

Jake Currie is a writer based in Brooklyn, NY.

Jake Currie

Blue 3d DNA molecule helix with ATCG structure. Credit: Butusova Elena / Shutterstock.

Genetics

The Genetic Secrets of Sperm Warfare

Physics

Why Cats Always Land on Their Feet

Kristen French is an associate editor at Nautilus. She has worked in science journalism since 2013, reporting and writing features and news for publications such as Wired, Backchannel, The Verge, and New York Magazine. She has a masters degree in science journalism from Columbia University.

Kristen French

Doomsday clock showing 3 minutes to midnight against nuclear war. Credit: Taily / Shutterstock.

Psychology

What Doomsday Prophecies Say About Us

Devin Reese is the executive editor of Natural History and a science writer based in Alexandria, Virginia.

Devin Reese

Brown Tree Snake in striking position. Credit: Ken Griffiths / Shutterstock

Zoology

Here’s How Snakes Defy Gravity to Stand Up

Environment

Newly Discovered Species Changes the Origin Story of Magic Mushrooms

Paleontology

The Travels of Straight-Tusked Elephants in Europe, Written in Their Teeth

You've run out of free articles. Access unlimited ad-free stories, including this one, by subscribing now. *Already a member? Click 'Log In' at the top of this page.*

Join to continue reading.

profile

Register to continue

Thanks for reading!