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. Animals

    Snail Highways: By following trails, periwinkles save slime

    A snail that follows another snail's slimy path saves energy by not having to secrete so much mucus.

  2. Animals

    Science behind the Soap Opera

    Tight family groups of meerkats in Africa's arid lands offer a chance to see the costs, as well as the charms, of cooperation. With audio.

  3. Animals

    Bird Plans: Jays show foresight in breakfast menus

    The strongest evidence yet that animals plan ahead may come from western scrub jays preparing for their morning meals.

  4. Animals

    Perils of Migration: New evidence that bats stalk birds

    Big Mediterranean bats snatch migrating songbirds out of the night sky in spring and fall.

  5. Animals

    What’s Going on Down There?

    In a 10-year, global effort, researchers exploring the unknowns of marine life have found bizarre fish, living-fossil shrimp, giant microbes, and a lot of other new neighbors.

  6. Animals

    Do flies eat their sibs before birth?

    A tiny fly that parasitizes cicadas could be the first insect species that's recognized to practice prenatal cannibalism.

  7. Animals

    Glittering male seeks fluorescing female

    A tropical jumping spider needs ultraviolet light for courtship.

  8. Animals

    Bite This: Borrowed toad toxins save snake’s neck

    An Asian snake gets toxins by salvaging them from the poisonous toads it eats.

  9. Plants

    Secret Agent: Hidden helper lets fungus save plants from heat

    A fungus that supposedly lets plants live in overheated soil turns out to work only if it's infected with a certain virus.

  10. Ecosystems

    Saving Whales the Easy Way? Less lobstering could mean fewer deaths

    A provocative proposal suggests that the U.S. lobster fleet in the Gulf of Maine could reduce the number of traps, maintain its profits, and improve life for endangered right whales.

  11. Plants

    Biggest Bloom: Superflower changes branch on family tree

    The plants with the world's largest flowers, the rafflesias, need to be moved closer to poinsettias on the family tree of plant life.

  12. Animals

    Guys Roll Eyes: Fish show some eyeball to their rivals

    During breeding season, male fish roll their eyes to send a quick "Back off, punk" signal to other males, researchers say.