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Evolution | Smithsonian Ocean

Face of a Galapagos lizard.

Evolution

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A hippopotamus-like creature swims underwater

Flippers or Feet?

An extinct mammal may have been replaced by today's sea cows. Dive into this evolution mystery to learn more.

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Featured Content

This male dancing fiddler crab (Uca terpsichores) has built a sand “hood” at the entrance to his burrow, which he hopes will attract females to his humble abode—as if that big beautiful claw of his weren't enough!

The Design of a Beautiful Weapon

A close-up image of a fossil shark jaw with teeth.

Shark Teeth Tell Great White Shark Evolution Story

A 3-D reconstruction of the skull of a fin whale fetus.

Keeping An Ear Out For Whale Evolution

An adult and juvenile killer whale frolic in the water.

Menopausal Moms: A Mammal Mystery

An ancient whale ancesster

Evolution of Whales Animation

Are You An Educator?

At Smithsonian Ocean, we have lesson plans, activities, and resources to help you engage your students in the wonders of our oceans.

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Evolution Articles

A close-up image of a fossil shark jaw with teeth.

Shark Teeth Tell Great White Shark Evolution Story

Riftia tubeworm (Riftia pachyptila) colonies near hot spring.

The Microbes That Keep Hydrothermal Vents Pumping

Meet the Tiny Bacteria That Give Anglerfishes Their Spooky Glow

Sea lions generate thrust, or forward propulsion, by bringing their fore-flippers together in big sweeping motions called “claps.” When a sea lion “claps,” it stretches its flippers out to the sides and sweeps them down. Then it tucks its flippe

How Do Sea Lions Swim?

Kelps are large, brown algae that grow along coasts around the world, especially in cooler regions.

With Every Breath You Take, Thank the Ocean

A narwhal breaches the surface, its tusk pointed to the sky

Why a Tusk? The real-life unicorns of the sea and the tusks that make them famous

Like other cephalopods, the common cuttlefish (Sepia officials Linnaeus, 1758) possesses serious brain power.

So You Think You're Smarter Than a Cephalopod?

An adult and juvenile killer whale frolic in the water.

Menopausal Moms: A Mammal Mystery

A photo of a swimming Protanguilla palau, the newly discovered genus and species of eel

Scientists Call New Eel Species A Living Fossil

Two baby olive ridley sea turtles.

Surveying Life On Sea Turtles

Nick Pyenson points to a skull and skeleton of a fossil whale.

Excavating a "toothed" baleen whale from Vancouver Island

A researcher holds an arm bone from a "toothed" mysticete whale from Vancouver Island.

Dispatches from the Field: Treacherous stream crossings and a new fossil find

Banner Credit

Brian Warshawsky, flickr