Animal Facts
The planet’s ultimate supermom can produce 146 million offspring – squeezing out a fresh egg every few seconds
A sci-fi tale of the queens that ditched males
A fish that's bad at swimming, a bird that doesn't know its own chicks: These are evolution's greatest fails
Animals evolve over time to become perfectly adapted to their environments, right? Well, not always…
There are probably more flightless birds than you think – Meet 11 curious - and often weird - land-based avian wonders
There are some birds that can't take to the sky, despite having wings. Discover 10 curious and wonderful birds that have lost the ability to fly
Could a hyena take on a lion? Nail-biting video shows close and fiercely-fought battle between these carnivorous predators
Hyenas are known for their scavenging nature – but could they take on and kill a lion if desperate? Evidence shows it's a fiercely-fought battle.
Do chimpanzees hold funerals? How chimps mourn their matriarch could provide lessons for human mental health
In a remarkable display of quiet contemplation, chimpanzees challenged our understanding of grief in the animal kingdom and prompted a re-evaluation of the importance of mourning in human societies
What's new?
Do animals get Down’s syndrome?
Ever wondered whether other animals (apart from humans) get Down's syndrome? Stuart Blackman takes a look.
Watch amazing video of a cute leopard cub sussing out a porcupine and testing the sharpness of its quills... Is it worth attacking?
Deep in the Malaysian forest, I found a prehistoric-looking insect that's left scientists puzzled for hundreds of years
The females also remain forever young – as they stay in a juvenile form – and contain plenty of unpleasant chemicals.
They can't vomit, one is poisonous and another is as heavy as a newborn baby - 11 amazing rat facts you (probably) don't know
Despite their slightly bad press, rats are intelligent and fascinating creatures. From their super-sensitive whiskers to their surprising ability to laugh, there's plenty to admire about these impressive animals
These animals may all be female, but that doesn't stop them enjoying sex – thanks to a bit of role play
Some whiptail species are completely female and have virgin births
Amphibians
This strange animal survives winter by stopping its heart for 8 months and 'dying' before leaping back to life in spring
This frog survives winter by spending it frozen solid - literally
It’s one of the most destructive and deadly animals on earth – meet the highly toxic ‘toadzilla’
The toad is considered one of the world’s most destructive invasive species, after being introduced to countries across the globe as a biological control.
Frogs are boiling – we need to turn the temperature down, warn scientists
Further increases in global temperatures could impact nearly 400 amphibian species, new study finds.
Animal ID
10 animals with the wrong names: Discover misleading monikers and curious cases of mistaken identity
Common names for animals are often easier to remember than their Latin names, but they can often lead to confusion. Here are 10 animals with some very misleading names.
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 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.
Birds
This giant bird was once extinct in the UK but is wading through its wetlands again
As winter rolls into spring, the common crane sings and dances through Britain's wetlands once again, says Mike Dilger.
What's the biggest owl? Here's a clue – it has a colossal 2 metre wingspan
Did you know the largest owl in the world has a wingspan of around two metres?
A deep, resonant call is rising through the reedbeds of Britain
During spring, Britain's loudest bird booms out its mating call – and following a record-breaking year in 2024, it's a sound conservations hope will continue to grow.
Fish
Scientists film dramatic videos of ambush predators hiding behind sharks to hunt
The extraordinary hunting behaviour was recorded around a small, rocky island in the Mediterranean Sea.
Why scientists just bred these baby red fish with 'hands' in Tasmania
Researchers hope these adorable babies can bring this rare species back from the edge of extinction.
Weirdest fish: 16 of the strangest fish in the world, including one that can incredibly live out of water for more than two months
Our seas are brimming with strange and wonderful creatures. Meet 13 of the weirdest fish in the world, which sport everything from super-long noses to golfball heads
Insects & Invertebrates
In the Amazon, bullet ants deliver agonising pain to boys as young as 12 – here's why. And can Steve Backshall handle the heat?
The bullet ant delivers the most painful sting in the world – so why are they being woven into gloves?
Ancient creatures found encased in amber in remote forests of Myanmar – and they’ve been hiding a deadly secret
The 99-million-year-old specimens were discovered in the isolated Hukawng Valley in the north of the country.
What’s the world’s biggest butterfly? Here's a clue – it has an enormous, 28cm wingspan and weighs a staggering 12g
Did you know the largest butterfly in the world has a wingspan of 28cm and weighs 12g?
Mammals
Fascinating facts about our warm blooded friends - the mammals.
It vomits up blood and urinates while feeding so it doesn’t explode – meet this bloodthirsty beast
Lucy Cooke explains how this bloodthirsty bum-biter has a surprisingly strong sisterhood – and why it's essential to their survival.
One of the world's fiercest warriors, this is a formidable predator with powerful jaws capable of crushing bone
All you need to know about one of the world's most aggressive animals - the wolverine
Why do cats purr? The fascinating reasons behind the feline purr
Rae Foreman-Worsley from Cats Protection discusses the mystery behind a cat’s purr
Marine Animals
An expedition team were filming in a remote kelp forest in Patagonia when this happened
The divers came face to face with some “curious” creatures in the underwater forest.
Muscles and guts of prehistoric animal found “preserved in unimaginable detail” in South African mountains
The fossilised remains, unearthed 25 years ago from farmland in the Cederberg Mountains, have only recently been described.
It has 24 eyes and is one of the world's deadliest animals, with a sting so venomous it can kill a human in minutes
This is one animal you should definitely give a wide birth if you see it, says Melissa Hobson
Reptiles
Snake found in Ireland for first time ever as fisherman stumbles upon strange whistling serpent on small island
The discovery is particularly surprising as, until now, Ireland was thought to be entirely free of snakes.
DNA reveals extraordinary way ancient iguanas made epic 5,000-mile journey to Tonga and Fiji
Millions of years ago, iguanas hitched a ride across the Pacific Ocean to colonise new land – they are the only land-based species known to have made this monumental journey.
With three fangs able to deliver lethal venom - instead of the usual two - this is probably the deadliest death adder ever
A death adder in an Australian wildlife park possesses an even deadlier bite – as it has three fangs instead of two.