Face of a Galapagos lizard.

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An extinct mammal may have been replaced by today's sea cows.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

The Design of a Beautiful Weapon

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!

September 2013

Shark Teeth Tell Great White Shark Evolution Story

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

November 2012

Keeping An Ear Out For Whale Evolution

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

March 2015

Menopausal Moms: A Mammal Mystery

An adult and juvenile killer whale frolic in the water.

May 2011

An ancient whale ancestor

Video

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.

see all lesson plans

Evolution Articles

How Do Sea Lions Swim?

Sea lions generate thrust, or forward propulsion, by bringing their fore-flippers together in big sweeping motions called “claps.” When a sea lion “claps,” it stretches its flippers out to the sides and sweeps them down. Then it tucks its flippe

June 2017

Surveying Life On Sea Turtles

Two baby olive ridley sea turtles.

November 2011

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

Video

Video of the Palauan primitive cave eel (Protanguilla palau)

An artistic rendering of an ocean landscape as it may have looked during the Archean Eon.

Slideshow

The Ocean Throughout Geologic Time, An Image Gallery

Keeping An Ear Out For Whale Evolution

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

March 2015

Menopausal Moms: A Mammal Mystery

An adult and juvenile killer whale frolic in the water.

May 2011

With Every Breath You Take, Thank the Ocean

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

July 2017

A team of scientists explore the Arctic ocean.

Slideshow

Under Arctic Ice

The Microbes That Keep Hydrothermal Vents Pumping

Riftia tubeworm (Riftia pachyptila) colonies near hot spring.

March 2016

An ancient whale ancestor

Video

Evolution of Whales Animation

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.

Slideshow

Deep Ocean Diversity Slideshow

Meet the Tiny Bacteria That Give Anglerfishes Their Spooky Glow

October 2016