Scientists discover remarkable new species in 2025, but most life on earth remains unknown

The natural world continues to surprise scientists with extraordinary discoveries, as researchers in 2025 unveiled a fascinating array of previously unknown species ranging from tiny marsupials to ancient trees. This year’s remarkable finds include a new Himalayan bat, a vibrant blue butterfly, a parrot snake, and a delicate fairy lantern plant—each representing just a fraction of Earth’s hidden biodiversity.

Despite these exciting discoveries, experts emphasize that humanity has barely scratched the surface of understanding life on our planet. “I think most people believe that we know most species on Earth, but in the best-case scenario, we know 20% of Earth’s species,” explains Mario Moura, a professor at the Federal University of Paraíba in Brazil. Some scientists estimate the figure could be as low as 10%, meaning millions of species remain hidden in ocean depths, under forest canopies, and within microscopic genetic codes.

The race to catalog Earth’s biodiversity has taken on new urgency as climate change and human development threaten to drive species extinct before they’re even discovered. These unknown organisms could hold keys to medical breakthroughs or food security, but more fundamentally, each plays a crucial role in maintaining the delicate balance of ecosystems that support all life.

“We’re understanding more and more that every species on the planet has a role, and in one way or another, is linked to our well-being through the part they play in ecosystems,” notes marine conservation biologist Boris Worm. “We can’t protect them if we don’t know them.”