Here Are the 25 Most Jaw-Dropping Wildlife Photos of 2021

Building an Egg Case

Photo: Javier Aznar González de Rueda/Wildlife Photographer of the Year

Cute—but make it creepy crawly! This photo of a thorned heart orb weaver spider and her egg case containing several hundred eggs is a rare glimpse of insect motherhood. It was taken at night in the Amazon rainforest near Tena, Ecuador.

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Camera captures first observation of red fox preying upon a wolf pup at a den site

Achingly Sad Video Documents First-Known Case of Red Fox Attacking a Wolf Pup

The incident was likely an opportunistic kill, with the fox preying on the small pup to possibly threaten the survival of the predator species.

Biology Passant Rabie Mar 10

1st Underwater Fractal Forest Ross Gudgeon Cupoty 7 Web

Can You Guess What Creature Won the Close-Up Photographer of the Year Competition?

We'll give you a hint: It lives underwater, but it doesn't swim. At least, not as an adult.

Conservation Ellyn Lapointe Feb 5

Ce 2025 Overall Winner Zeke Rowe Croc Stare Animal Swamp Crocodile Horse Files

Gaze Deeply Into Nature With These Award-Winning Ecology Photos

Winning shots from the Capturing Ecology competition highlight the complex relationships that shape ecosystems.

Earth Science Passant Rabie Jan 23

One of seven mummified cheetahs preserved in a laboratory.

Scientists Discover 2000-Year-Old Mummified Cheetah in an Unexpected Place

The discovery marks the first time scientists have found mummified big cats in the Arabian Peninsula.

Biology Passant Rabie Jan 16

Researchers Discover Previously Unknown Species in Utah’s Great Salt Lake

And they've proposed two "kind of crazy" ideas for how it got there.

Biology Margherita Bassi Jan 12

Watch Rare Video of Orcas Teaming Up With Dolphins to Hunt Giant Salmon

The two top predators seem to be working together to track, kill, and feast on salmon, researchers say.

Biology Gayoung Lee Dec 12