Susan Milius

Susan Milius

Life Sciences Writer

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

    Funny smell may have split bee species

    Among male bees that create their own perfume, a change in the sense of smell might mean a split in species.

  2. Animals

    Forensics’ next tool: Hair-collecting caterpillars

    First human DNA extraction from hair bits in moth larval case.

  3. Life

    Morse Toad: When amphibians tap their toes

    Toe wiggling creates motions, vibrations that get potential prey moving.

  4. Animals

    Bat syndrome’s telltale white nose-mold new to science

    Newly cultured fungus named as a suspect in deadly white-nose syndrome

  5. Life

    Salmon study: Dammed or not

    Columbia River salmon have troubles all right, but dams may no longer top the list.

  6. Animals

    Not Your Father’s Song

    The next generation of birds chooses its music.

  7. Animals

    Honeybees still at risk

    Bees still suffering from colony collapse disorder.

  8. Animals

    Spider males good for mating, food

    Expectant mothers, including spiders, need to eat well. For Mediterranean tarantulas, a male suitor tastes just fine.

  9. Life

    How Tiktaalik got its neck

    The oldest fossil with a neck, Tiktaalik roseae, shows how animals developed a head for living on land.

  10. Life

    Grunting humans, moles scare earthworms

    Science tackles the old mystery of why worm grunters who rub a stake in the ground can catch earthworms.

  11. Life

    Climate warms, creatures head for the hills

    Unusual data let scientists test predictions that global warming drives species up slopes.

  12. Life

    Tough times for mammals

    Between a fifth and a third of the world’s mammal species face the threat of extinction.