Face of a Galapagos lizard.

Evolution

A hippopotamus-like creature swims underwater

Flippers or Feet?

An extinct mammal may have been replaced by today's sea cows. Dive into this evolution mystery to learn more.

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Featured Content

This male dancing fiddler crab (Uca terpsichores) has built a sand “hood” at the entrance to his burrow, which he hopes will attract females to his humble abode—as if that big beautiful claw of his weren't enough!

The Design of a Beautiful Weapon

A close-up image of a fossil shark jaw with teeth.

Shark Teeth Tell Great White Shark Evolution Story

A 3-D reconstruction of the skull of a fin whale fetus.

Keeping An Ear Out For Whale Evolution

An adult and juvenile killer whale frolic in the water.

Menopausal Moms: A Mammal Mystery

An ancient whale ancestor

Evolution of Whales Animation

Are You An Educator?

At Smithsonian Ocean, we have lesson plans, activities, and resources to help you engage your students in the wonders of our oceans.

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Evolution Articles

A close-up image of a fossil shark jaw with teeth.

Shark Teeth Tell Great White Shark Evolution Story

Riftia tubeworm (Riftia pachyptila) colonies near hot spring.

The Microbes That Keep Hydrothermal Vents Pumping

Kelps are large, brown algae that grow along coasts around the world, especially in cooler regions.

With Every Breath You Take, Thank the Ocean

A screenshot from the video showing a Palauan primitive cave eel.

Video of the Palauan primitive cave eel (Protanguilla palau)

Nick Pyenson points to a skull and skeleton of a fossil whale.

Excavating a "toothed" baleen whale from Vancouver Island

A researcher holds an arm bone from a "toothed" mysticete whale from Vancouver Island.

Dispatches from the Field: Treacherous stream crossings and a new fossil find

A screenshot from the video showing a fiddler crab with a large claw.

Claws Out: Fiddler Crabs Do Battle

This male dancing fiddler crab (Uca terpsichores) has built a sand “hood” at the entrance to his burrow, which he hopes will attract females to his humble abode—as if that big beautiful claw of his weren't enough!

The Design of a Beautiful Weapon

Rough periwinkles sit on a bed of barnacles.

Spirals in Time: A Walk at the Seashore

A team of scientists explore the Arctic ocean.

Under Arctic Ice

Small red hyperiid.

The Hyper Eyes of Hyperiids: How Some Shrimp-Like Creatures See Light in the Deep Sea

This new species of lobster (Dinochelus ausubeli) is blind and has bizarre claws. It was discovered about 300 meters (984 feet) deep in the Philippine Sea by a Census of Marine Life expedition.

Deep Ocean Diversity Slideshow

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Brian Warshawsky, flickr