The Digital Florentine Codex’s three languages and thousands of hand-painted illustrations provide a window into culture, war, and daily life.

In rural Chile, the kodkod, or güiña, has a bad rep for stealing chickens—and as a portent of death and disaster.

In a Swedish amusement park, two volunteers faced their greatest fears—for science.

From human-teeth tiles to teeny-tiny taxidermy, this insanely detailed interactive diorama reflects the magic, lore, and history of the Southern Gothic.

Our archives offer a tour of the country's most elusive, mysterious characters.

The bird is sometimes considered an omen of death, but in Māori tradition, that's just one part of its story.

In the United Kingdom, the insects were once considered omens of death—they're actually much more destructive.

How an art prank created a new Halloween legend for the Miawpukek First Nation.

The serpent-like oarfish has long been considered an omen of natural disaster. Scientists are shaking up that old superstition.

From traditional Japanese log riding to charitable llama races in Colorado, this photographer has seen it all.

Experts reconstructed the smell of mummified organs—and it’s actually pretty pleasant.

How to—and, more importantly, how not to—have an unforgettable wildlife encounter with the biggest fish in the sea.

The live, jewel-encrusted beetles called maquechs are tied to an ancient legend, but some worry for their future.

A female archaeologist is challenging the idea of men as hunters and women as gatherers, one throw at a time.

“We want it to feel like you’re exploring something for the first time.”

Rumors of piracy, polygamy, and betrayal shape the tumultuous history of King James Jesse Strang.

Turns out many of the frogs glow, maybe to communicate.

Researchers in Kenya spied some unexpected guests at these “carrion bonanzas”

And maybe the heaviest animal the world has ever seen.

Orcas and humans once hunted together in southeastern Australia, until their millennia-old relationship broke down.

The predators may react when camera crews come poking around, but it doesn't make them villains.

Why do mole rats, Brandt's bats, and bowhead whales live so much longer than their relatives?

Experts say it’s likely space junk—and there’s plenty more where that came from.