Today’s extinction rates are sky-high. But scientists debate if that’s sufficient evidence to conclude that Earth is undergoing a mass extinction event—or whether that’s even a helpful designation.

Extinction is a natural part of life on Earth. But occasionally, extinction rates have surged far beyond usual levels, driving mass extinction events that have reshaped the trajectory of life.

The near-complete genome of a recently extinct rodent elucidates the potential—and difficulties—of resurrecting species.

Data on vertebrate species that have become, or are likely to become, extinct reveal plant eaters are most under threat.

An extinct rodent relative of the capybara appears to have had a smaller brain-to-body ratio than similar species.

The wild population of the species was declared extinct almost 40 years ago, but now researchers have found their genes in a pack of canines near the Gulf coast.

During the last ice age, there wasn’t much plant matter to eat on northern steppes, but herbivorous woolly mammoths were abundant. How did they survive?

Researchers identify the Lord Howe Island stick insect on the remains of a large volcano in the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand.

Intricate, digital maps of animals’ teeth, created using the same geographical tools used by mapmakers, may help researchers determine the diets of extinct species.

What researchers are learning as they sequence, map, and decode species’ genomes

Rediscovery of a snail thought to be extinct has raised questions about the peer-review process that approved the publication of the extinction report.

A roundup of species that made their scientific debut in 2012, and a few that said goodbye as well