OneZoom is a map of the tree of life that you navigate by zooming. Species are leaves on branches, and everything shares ancestors further in toward the trunk. You start with the whole tree in view, then zoom in on a branch and its twigs unfold until you reach a single living thing.
It is a very different feel from a textbook diagram. Rather than a static chart, you move through the relationships, from mammals to a small corner of the plant kingdom, in a way that makes the scale of life visible. Each twig is a species, and the branching shows how they are related.
It can take a few minutes to get the hang of the controls, after which it becomes a pleasant way to wander. It runs on phones and desktops, and is a friendly rabbit hole for biology fans. Try it alongside /site/scale-of-the-universe, or visit /category/oddly-educational.
Tips for getting the most out of it
- Use the search to jump to a species you know, then zoom out to see its relatives.
- Zoom slowly; new branches keep appearing.
- Use a larger screen for easier navigation.
Questions about OneZoom Tree of Life
What is OneZoom?
OneZoom is an interactive tree of life that shows evolutionary relationships between species. You zoom in on branches to reach individual living things. Plan on plenty of time, since it is a genuine rabbit hole. It works on phones. You can find it at onezoom.org, and we check the link daily.
How do I use OneZoom?
Zoom in on the tree by scrolling or pinching, or search for a species to jump to it. Zooming out from a species shows its relatives and the shared branches that connect them. Plan on plenty of time, since it is a genuine rabbit hole.
Sites like OneZoom Tree of Life
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Fly through the solar system, Earth and spacecraft in 3D.
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Stellarium Web
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