Life sciences writer Susan Milius has been writing about botany, zoology and ecology for Science News since the last millennium. She worked at diverse publications before breaking into science writing and editing. After stints on the staffs of The Scientist, Science, International Wildlife and United Press International, she joined Science News. Three of Susan's articles have been selected to appear in editions of The Best American Science Writing.

All Stories by Susan Milius

  1. Life

    Orangutans can mime their desires

    Animals’ ability to act out what they want suggests an understanding of others’ perspectives, researchers say.

  2. Life

    Aphids, abandon ship

    Warm, humid mammal breath drives the insects to jump off plants.

  3. Life

    Emerging disease may wipe out common bat in the Northeast

    Hard-hit region could lose little brown myotis to white-nose syndrome within decades

  4. Life

    Bullied booby chicks end up OK

    In a seabird nest, abuse by older siblings doesn’t hamper fitness.

  5. Life

    Marine census still counting new life-forms

    The Gulf of Mexico ranked among the top five marine regions for number of known species.

  6. Life

    For ducks, penis length depends on the other guys

    Male genitals grow longer with more competition from other males.

  7. Life

    Lemurs on contraceptives don’t smell right

    Birth control disrupts female odors used in mating and other social situations.

  8. Plants

    Explosions, mushroom clouds — all good for short moss

    BLOG: Sphagnum reproduces with a bang that compensates for life so close to the ground.

  9. Animals

    Fearless tadpoles give invaders the edge

    Clueless larvae don’t heed the scent of nonnative turtles, giving newcomers an edge over native species, a European study finds.

  10. Nature’s recourse

    How plants and animals fight back when deals go sour.

  11. Earth

    New ‘walking’ fishes discovered in Gulf oil-spill zone

    Pancake batfishes may be getting oiled before they get named.

  12. Life

    Science leaps forward with Calaveras County frog jump

    Biologists test the pros of amphibian athletics.