Underwater ‘sirens’ and the loneliest whale in the world: 6 of the weirdest noises heard in the ocean (including an unsolved mystery)
While most of the ominous-sounding noises recorded in the ocean have been resolved, others remain a mystery...
1,000 giant fish are mysteriously circling in this South African estuary. Scientists may finally know why
Researchers believe they may have worked out why giant trevally swim upstream in the Mtentu Estuary and circle in vast numbers.
A 136kg body part was just found floating in the ocean in Hawai'i
Whale placentas only float on the surface of the ocean briefly, so collecting them for scientific study is incredibly rare.
Inside the world's most otherworldly wildlife destinations
“Greater detail than ever before.” Ancient creature found immaculately entombed in amber
The now-extinct animal was one of three species discovered within fossilised tree resin from a museum in Germany.
443-million-year-old eel-like animal discovered near Glasgow stuns scientists
A team of scientists from the University of Manchester have uncovered some of the earliest evidence of advanced, camera-like eyes in two jawless fish found just south of the Scottish city…
"A quick tap then startles their prey into fleeing straight into the open tentacles" – A shadowy hunter that waits silently for the perfect moment to strike
When a tap on the shoulder isn't good news
Caught, plucked, and kept ALIVE: Does this deadly predator take ruthlessness to a new level, inflicting a fate worse than death on its prey?
Do Eleonora’s falcons cach migrant birds alive to eat later?
"I shudder to think how often I’ve courted disaster, unknowingly, like this"
two hunters narrowly escape an encounter with a hungry polar bear in alaska.
There’s a Japanese island where feral cats outnumber humans – and scientists discovered something interesting about their genetics
In Ehime Prefecture, Japan, there's an island that's famous for its cat community. But how did they get there?
Birds
Villagers in Mozambique talk to birds to help them hunt. How they do it is amazing
In an astonishing parallel to how human language evolves, communities in Mozambique use different ‘dialects’ to coordinate cooperation with wild birds.
“It will perish.” A penguin chick has a lucky escape from being crushed to death. Then disaster strikes
In footage filmed for the BBC's Penguins: Meet the Family, a chick gets separated from its parent – will they reunite?
10 jaw-dropping eagle moments captured in photos and film that reveal the brutal hunting behaviour of this powerful bird of prey
Discover the raw power of this striking bird, as well as the fierce clashes it will endure to ensure a meal
Gigantic 10ft-wide raptors released in Patagonian mountains
The Andean condor is the largest raptor in the world and can live for up to 70 years.
“It seemed like a matter of urgency – who knew if these sounds would be accessible to me if I put things off for another year?”
Progressive hearing loss prompted a memorable quest to absorb nature’s calls and choruses
“Imagine committing fratricide before you can walk.” This parasitic birds lays its eggs in the nests of other species
Does a cuckoo know it's a cuckoo? The answer is more difficult than you might think, explains Richard Pallardy
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
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Save 30% when you subscribe to BBC Wildlife Magazine, plus receive Simon Barnes’ latest release, Spring is the Only Season
Plants
"Ingestion can lead to liver failure, kidney failure, encephalopathy, and death" – 10 deadliest poisons found in nature
The natural world has produced some of the most potent poisons known to science. Here are some of the deadliest to humans
This ancient plant helped scientists solve a homicide investigation. This is how
A team of researchers have demonstrated how moss can act as a forensic ‘fingerprint’ when confirming details about a crime
"Poisoning causes lung collapse, brain haemorrhage and death" – discover the world’s 10 most poisonous, deadliest plants
There is an incredible number of dangerous and deadly plants around the world. here are just 10, including some with the ability to kill
A zombie spider-killing fungus and a bloodstained orchid: Kew Gardens reveals the strangest plants new to science in 2025
Kew Gardens has revealed the most bizarre plant and fungi discoveries new to science in 2025 – but some are already nearly extinct.