Firefly on a leaf

How Fireflies Evolved to Glow And Why Some Now Don’t

April Joy Jovita

In the soft darkness of summer evenings, one of nature’s most enchanting spectacles unfolds as fireflies rise from the grass, their tiny lanterns blinking on and off in mesmerizing patterns. This bioluminescent light show isn’t just beautiful—it represents millions of years of evolutionary adaptation that has fascinated scientists and nature lovers alike. The ability of ...

Detailed close-up of a gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) on sandy terrain in Florida.

Gopher Tortoise Burrow Ecosystems: Where Reptiles and Insects Coexist

Sylvia Duruson

Deep in the sandy soils of the southeastern United States, an ancient reptile engineers one of nature’s most surprising biodiversity hotspots. The gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) is more than just a solitary shelled wanderer. With powerful forelimbs adapted for digging, it creates elaborate underground burrows that shelter not just itself, but hundreds of other species. ...