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Tunicates are invertebrates without backbones. But in their larval stage they have all four characteristics of chordates: a notochord, which is like a soft spinal cord; a post-anal tail; a dorsal nerve cord; and pharyngeal slits. Their name comes from a thick extracellular covering called a tunic. There are over three thousand species of tunicate living today.

Cephalopods use ink to avoid predation: they ink and jet away under cover of the ink, creating a “smoke screen.” This move is often followed by unpredictable escape moves.

With the earth getting increasingly warmer and climate change research in the US under the cutting knife, students at all levels need to be climate literate. Shape of Life is dedicated to helping teachers expand their science curriculum to illuminate climate change and its impact on wildlife.

Our support and championing of science has never been more important than now.

The earth is full of an incredible diversity of wondrous creatures. How did this diversity come to pass?

Annelid worms have been essential to many of earth’s ecosystems since the Cambrian Explosion over 500 million years ago.

Scientists and engineers are finding inspiration from animals and plants that may surprise you.

Our beautiful Tree of Life image by Ray Troll has come to life with an incredible animation made by his son, Patrick Troll.

Find out why we’re alarmed when we see brightly colored or contrasting colored animals.

Birds do it, amphibians do it, mammals do it, and so do marine arthropods. They all migrate.