British Wildlife
Brown rat or water vole: How to tell the difference between these two lookalike-rodents
When all you've seen is a flash of brown fur, it can be hard to know whether it was a water vole or rat. Though the two species tend to live in different habitats, there are areas where they overlap, potentially leading to cases of mistaken identity. So how do you tell rats and water voles apart?
Do slugs freeze in winter?
Some do, but slugs are surprisingly adept at surviving freezing conditions – very low temperatures do not have a particularly negative impact on overall numbers for the following year.
Mink or otter? What's the difference between these two slippery, semiaquatic lookalikes?
How do you tell the difference between otters and mink?
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Why don’t woodpeckers get headaches and concussion when drumming?
Drumming is a springtime sound that's unrelated to feeding or nestbuilding.
Do dragonflies bite or sting humans and can they be dangerous?
Can dragonflies bite? Can dragonflies sting? Are dragonflies dangerous? They're all common questions - read on to find out the answers!
It's the length of a bathtub, can play dead and has a defensive spray that smells of rotten fish – meet Britain's largest snake
Discover fantastic facts about Britain's largest native terrestrial reptile in our expert guide by PhD student Steve Allain.
Why do frogs scream?
Jules Howard discusses possible reasons frogs scream
This tree is one of the most toxic in the world, with just 50g of foliage able to kill a human within hours
Old and gnarled, yew trees are a familiar tree in our landscape and are often associated with churchyards. Our expert guide explores this native tree.
BBC Winterwatch will be returning in 2026 – but with a new location next to the largest sea lough in the British Isles
Everything you need to know about BBC Winterwatch, including when it's on and how to watch
Springwatch 2025: All you need to know about the 20th series – including its new location
As part of its 20th anniversary, there are a few changes to this year's Springwatch. Here's everything you need to know
How do squirrels find their nuts?
Squirrels spend autumn stashing nuts away for winter, but how do they find them again? Sense of smell, memory and chance all play a part.
How do wading birds find food in mud?
Discover how waders use their unique bills and special sensors to detect tasty treats.
From adorable badger cubs to an owl hunting at dusk, these photos capture the beauty of British springtime
The stunning springtime images were all taken by members of Young Wildlife Photographers UK.
The deadly Asian hornet: how to identify, what they like to eat, why they are a grave worry- and how to report a sighting
Considered a pest, and a particular threat to honeybees, Asian hornets were accidentally introduced to Europe in 2004.
How to identify mammal skulls - and work out the creature they once belonged to
Skulls can be found virtually anywhere, but skull identification can be difficult. Learn how to identify common mammal skulls in our expert guide.
How to get rid of mice and rats in your house
Identify the signs they leave, what problems they cause, how to get rid of rats and mice humanely and how to prevent them from returning to your home.
Who is Michaela Strachan? Everything you need to know about the Springwatch presenter
Naturalist and TV presenter Michaela Strachan is best known for her work on Springwatch, but did you know she once had a career in pop music? Here is everything you need to know about Michaela Strachan.
How to identify animal droppings: Our guide to the wildlife poop you might find in your garden or out on a walk
Droppings or scats can tell us a lot about which animals have been visiting our gardens, parks and countryside, including hedgehogs, foxes and badgers. Our expert guide explains how to identify which poos belong to which species. Plus, animal droppings from species from around the world – and fungi and insects you might spot on droppings.
Just what are the point of whiskers? Why animals have whiskers and how they work
Why do animals have whiskers? And how do whiskers work? We explain
Who is Gillian Burke? Everything you need to know about the Springwatch and Winterwatch presenter
Natural history programme presenter and voice-over artist Gillian Burke is best-known for presenting the BBC nature series Springwatch. Here is everything you need to know about Gillian Burke.
The mysteries of glow worms explained: what they are and why they glow
All you need to know about glow worms, including how and why they glow...
If the woodcock is a wader, why does it live in woods?
Mike Toms discusses this non-wading woodland wader
Great tit bird guide: how to identify great tits by sight and call, and what they eat
Discover why the great tit is a shape-shifter and master songsmith in this expert guide by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO).
How to grow an oak tree from an acorn
Autumn is the perfect time to try growing an oak tree, here's how