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Florida Museum Science

Life on Earth

illustration of an agave plant with broad leaves growing from a central point close to the ground. Leaves are wide with large thorns at the point and along the edges.

Life on Earth

Scientists uncover the unexpected identity of mezcal worms

March 8, 2023

Mezcal is a distilled alcohol made from the boiled and fermented sap of agave plants. Most mezcal beverages — including…Read More

shark swimming in blue water photographed from above. The green-grey shark contrasts strongly with the blue water.

Life on Earth

Shark bites tied for 10-year low in 2022 but spiked in regional hotspots

February 6, 2023

The number of unprovoked shark attacks worldwide decreased last year, tying with 2020 for the fewest number of reported incidents…Read More

Rodent fossils arranged on a white background

Life on Earth

Rodent extinctions in Hispaniola may have been caused by humans

January 10, 2023

The island of Hispaniola once had among the highest rodent diversity in the Caribbean, supporting 11 species that coexisted for…Read More

Close up of butterfly wings showing scales and patterns

Life on Earth

Rare and iconic Atala butterflies retain ancient pattern of wing symmetry

November 1, 2022

Nature seems to have an inexhaustible supply of inspiration when it comes to butterflies. With over 18,000 species, each with…Read More

Caterpillar eating its way through a plant stem

Life on Earth

Tracking the origin of southern California’s latest invasive pest

September 22, 2022

In 2012, a crop of California’s most prized ornamental trees was overrun by an invisible invader. The growing shoots of…Read More

interlocked snake and centipede specimen set on a orange and red leaf

Florida Biodiversity

North America’s rarest snake found biting off more than it could chew

September 7, 2022

North America’s rarest snake, Tantilla oolitica (rim rock crowned snake), was recently spotted in a park in the Florida Keys…Read More

Ant walking on moss looking at reflection in water

Life on Earth

Researchers use AI to create a treasure map of undiscovered ant species

August 4, 2022

E. O. Wilson once referred to invertebrates as “the little things that run the world,” without whom “the human species…Read More

test

Life on Earth

Miniature frogs set record as first vertebrates to lose the ability to balance

June 16, 2022

Amphibians are exceptionally good at being small. There are salamanders the size of your thumb nail, pygmy newts that live…Read More

test

Life on Earth

Park rangers use butterflies to take planet’s pulse in a biodiversity hotspot

May 2, 2022

In 2017, a group of scientists raised alarm bells by showing that flying insects had declined in Germany by more…Read More

test

Life on Earth

Researchers discover new species in critically imperiled ecosystem

March 10, 2022

Researchers working in one of the world’s most biodiverse and threatened ecosystems have discovered a new plant species, Castela senticosa,…Read More

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Contact Info

Florida Museum of Natural History
Gainesville, FL 32611

Media inquiries:
Jerald Pinson, Science Writer

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