We commonly refer to scaly, itchy skin rashes as “crocodile skin.” Scientists, however, have just proven that real crocodile skin—specifically the parts on the reptile’s head, snout and jaw—is much ...

Scientists normally explain the spectacular diversity of animal patterns by pointing to genetics. But a study in Nature suggests that, at least for crocodile heads, different forces might be at play.

We pursue one of the mysteries of the incredible variety of animals that you find in nature. NPR's Jonathan Lambert reports on a study in the journal Nature. JONATHAN LAMBERT, BYLINE: Biologist Michel ...