Take Charge of Evolution!

This simulation is your chance to play the role that natural selection fills in real life. Organisms evolve because slight variations in their genes lead to slight survival advantages over genetically different organisms - here, we provide the variation and you provide selection pressure.

Instructions

Click the button below to launch the simulation, which will open in a new window. You will see a grid of nine identical biomorphs. Choose one biomorph and click on it to begin evolution - the parent will move to the center cell of the grid, and eight simulated offspring will populate the sides. When you repeat this process indefinitely, you will be in charge of evolutionary change! Watch the organisms you're creating grow, shrink, or change form as you select. Please note that this simulation requires a Java-friendly browser.

When you've created an especially interesting or unique organism, submit it to our Biomorph Gallery! You can also feel free to browse this compendium of fellow visitors' creations.

Suggestions

Of course, it's always fun to simply breed from whichever biomorph looks most interesting in each generation. But the simulation is also capable of generating forms with an organic look and feel. Try selecting for a biomorph that resembles a specific organism, like a plant or an insect. You can also evolve good representations of many common items, such as letters of the alphabet, paintbrushes, and crowns. Happy evolution!

Credits and Acknowledgements

The underlying premise of this simulation was originally conceived by Richard Dawkins in his book The Blind Watchmaker, published by W.W. Norton. We have been kindly granted permission to utilize the concepts found in the book for this simulation.

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