
Brits are going crazy for pet snakes. And it’s getting out of hand
The reptile pet trade is thriving, but demands are increasing for tighter regulatory controls

This bee might look like a flying, fluffy narwhal – but this is no bee. It’s the ultimate trickster
Bee-flies are found in gardens and allotments around the British Isles – so you might be lucky enough to spot one engaging in its unusual reproductive behaviour

It was sealed off for 5 million years, breathes and has a Chandelier Ballroom filled with 6 metre long crystals
Lechuguilla Cave, in New Mexico, is full of rare and spectacular geological formations

Is this genius plant better at math than you? The answer is probably yes
The first informal use of Voronoi diagrams can be traced back to 1644 – but the Chinese money plant has had it figured out for much longer.

"To a hungry, ravenous bear, a human is just a Goretex-clad, vertical seal..." World's 7 most dangerous, deadliest mammals for humans
What are the most dangerous mammals in the world? James Fair takes a look at the contenders... and includes some unlikely ones

It's pink, able to swim backwards AND upside down and is a mighty 2.5 metres long – not bad for a river creature...
All you need to know about the amazing Amazon River Dolphin from the experts at Whale and Dolphin Conservation

"It's one of the speediest snakes in the world, capable of moving at 20kph. Its venom affects the nerves and heart, and victims can die very quickly"
All you need to know about one of the world's deadliest snakes - the black mamba

"It conjures horror images of wide-eyed insanity, foaming at the mouth and an excruciating death." 10 deadliest diseases humans can get from animals
From rabies to plague, the world’s deadliest zoonotic diseases have shaped human history — and continue to threaten millions today.

Scientists have started milking koalas. Here's what they're up to
Understanding the dynamics of koala milk can lead to improved care for orphaned joeys.

It’s the size of Belgium and contains the highest waterfall on Earth – and it's home to monkey-hunting eagles
Huge table-top mountains, tumbling waterfalls and extraordinary wildlife – welcome to Venezuela's Canaima National Park.

Birds

White-tailed eagle vs osprey: what's the difference between these two majestic, powerful birds of prey?
Although the osprey and white-tailed eagle look similar and are sometimes both called fish eagles, the two birds of prey are quite different, says Scottish Wildlife Trust ranger Sara Rasmussen

"It sees two summers per year, and more daylight than any other animal on earth..."
Two summers a year? Yes please! Meet the bird that, thanks to its mammoth migration, enjoys two summers a year

Researchers put a big pair of eyeballs on the coast of Denmark and left them there for 46 days. Here's why
Fish-stealing seabirds can cause problems for fisheries and aquaculture companies so scientists tried to find a harmless way of putting them off their seafood feast.

This bizarre bird's entire annual cycle follows the rhythm on the moon, groundbreaking study reveals
Moonlight plays a huge part in how red-necked nightjars feed, migrate and raise their young, reveals new study.

Do any birds hibernate?
Are there any birds that can hibernate? Ben Hoare takes a look

Which species are named after Sir David Attenborough? And how many of them are there?
Sir David Attenborough has over 50 species named after him, ranging from a prehistoric marine reptile to a native British flower only found in the Brecon Beacons of South Wales.
How to identify wildlife

Red squirrel vs grey squirrel: Think you know how they differ? Think again as the differences between these two squirrels will surprise you
We take a look at how the red squirrel differs to its American grey cousin

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?

Mink or otter? What's the difference between these two slippery, semiaquatic lookalikes?
How do you tell the difference between otters and mink?

LRPs, PG Tips and Jizz: Cracking the secret language of birders
You’re sitting in a hide and overhear other birders talking. The conversation ranges from ‘LRPs’ and ‘roosting Leos’ and you scratch your chin as you try to decipher their code – welcome to the world of birding jargon.

It's the fastest animal in the world and its deadly claws can catch prey mid-air: Meet one of the world's most incredible birds of prey
Peregrines are the ultimate urban predator. Learn all about them, including how to spot them ‘stooping’ to catch prey

Save 30% when you subscribe to BBC Wildlife Magazine, plus receive Simon Barnes’ latest release, Spring is the Only Season
Save 30% when you subscribe to BBC Wildlife Magazine, plus receive Simon Barnes’ latest release, Spring is the Only Season
Plants

"Within a few hours the prey has become a nutritious soup, broken down by digestive enzymes released from the inside of its prison..."
The sinister secret of this free-floating pond plant lies beneath the water’s surface. Meet the bladderwort and its highly effective trap

"1 in 10 people will sustain long-term damage to their lungs, & for 1%, the infection can spread to their brain & spinal cord." What you need to know fungus storms
Top 10 facts about fungus storms

David Attenborough as you've never seen him before – him laughing at the noisiest plant in the world might be the most joyful thing you'll watch today
The noisiest plant in the world is actually quite amusing, as this BBC video with David Attenborough proves.

