Photo: Virtual Critters Thrive, Evolve in Online World



Weaving through trees and funnel-shaped cannon plants, crablike gridlice roam the sands of Terminus, a virtual beach in the online world of Second Life.

The artificial critters are all part of a surprisingly complex ecosystem that was built using a few simple rules.

Image © 2007, Linden Research, Inc., All Rights Reserved


NEWS FEEDS    After installing a news reader, click on this icon to download National Geographic News's XML/RSS feed. After installing a news reader, click on this icon to download National Geographic News's XML/RSS feed.

Get our news delivered directly to your desktop—free.
How to Use XML or RSS

ADVERTISEMENT

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC'S PHOTO OF THE DAY

50 Drives of a Lifetime

National Geographic Traveler has scoured the globe for the world's most beautiful, interesting, and off-beat road trips. Dive in to get drive directions, quizzes, photos, and more.