“They live in paradise – there really is no need to leave.” There’s a temple in India where locals go to worship – alongside 20,000 rats
At a temple in Rajasthan, black rats are not pests but family, thriving in an ecosystem shaped by faith
Experts left camera traps in one of Kenya’s most remote forests – and captured a rare and mysterious creature
One of Africa’s rarest creatures is caught on a trail camera – hundreds of kilometres from where it was expected to be
Yapok, yak, yidiyidi ... 14 amazing animals beginning with 'Y ' including a very cute yellow squirrel and a fearsome yacaré caiman
Here are 14 animals starting with the letter 'Y', but which ones have we forgotten? Let us know
"Capable of striking fear into the heart of divers everywhere, it's as dangerous as it is beautiful..." 10 deadliest, most dangerous fish on the planet
Beyond the shark! We bring you a veritable who's who of the scariest fish species lurking in the deep (and not-so-deep) waters.
509 snakes captured in southeastern US. Many are carrying deadly infections
Research in Florida, South Carolina and Georgia suggests snakes could face catastrophe due to pathogen prevalence.
"These specialised teeth allowed them to crack, crush, and chew bones." 10 fearsome, deadly prehistoric dogs that roamed Earth millions of years ago
They may be closely related to today’s domestic dogs, but you certainly wouldn’t want to pet these extinct canids… Meet 10 deadly prehistoric dogs
Siberia’s ‘Gateway to Hell’ is getting bigger. And it'’s spewing out prehistoric animals
Known by some as the ‘Gateway to Hell’, the Batagay crater in Siberia is the world’s largest megaslump
"One key thing to remember – it can run as fast as a racehorse..." 10 most dangerous animals you REALLY don't want to meet on a hike
From venomous predators to deceptively small killers, these animals can turn a peaceful hike into a life-threatening emergency
The world's smallest penis will surprise you: "Evolution didn't forget to finish the job. Bigger is only better when bigger helps..."
Which animal has the smallest penis? We investigate...
"While she is doing the needlework, the male brings the threads. Little by little she laces it up to form a cup using dozens of stitches."
The little bird that's a very adept seamstress
Birds
This elusive bird can be heard up to 5km away – and the sound it makes is extraordinary
The song of the male bittern – the king of the reedbed – sounds like a foghorn.
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
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
“It’s like being electrocuted and set on fire at the same time…” Discover one of the world's most dangerous trees
This tree is considered one of the world’s most venomous plants, and its painful effects can last for years.
"It drops large cones that weigh 40 pounds apiece – more than heavy enough to kill a passer-by..." 8 most dangerous trees on the planet
From tropical terrors to coniferous killers – here are some tree species you might want to avoid the next time you’re walking in the woods.
“The cordyceps erupts from the ant’s head.” Deadly parasitic fungus infiltrates an ant’s body and mind in this BBC Planet Earth clip
In footage captured for BBC’s Planet Earth, an ant is infected by deadly zombie fungus.
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.
