Animal Facts
Which animal has the best sense of smell?
Wondering which animal has the best sense of smell?Stuart Blackman takes a look at the contenders
How can I stop my cat hunting wildlife?
Here are different ways to limit the kill rate of your cat. A recent figure from the Mammal Society estimates that cats in the UK catch up to 27 millions birds each year, and 275 million prey items overall per year.
1,000 oceanic manta rays seen in the Maldives
Landmark moment as 1,000th individual oceanic manta ray is recorded in Maldivian waters. The Indian Ocean archipelago has the third largest population in the world, after Ecuador and Mexico.
Schools of fish can swim as quietly as individuals. How 'acoustic stealth' could inspire next wave of submarines
The way fish move has a significant impact on how noisy the school is, according to a new study. Engineers say the finding could lead to the development of stealthier underwater vehicles.
How do flocks of birds fly so close together without colliding? The mystery explained
Fascinated by the closely co-ordinated manoeuvres of starling flocks and other birds? Phil Gates takes a look at how birds are able to synchronise so precisely - and avoid crashing
What's new?
What is a cephalopod?
Cephalopods are an exclusively marine group comprising octopuses, cuttlefish, squids and nautiluses says Stuart Blackman
Ugh there's a tongue-eating parasite? Afraid so, and it grows as big as a cockroach. Meet Cymothoa exigua
What’s grosser than gross? A parasite that eats your tongue – and then lives in your mouth, as your tongue. Meet the nightmarish Cymothoa exigua.
How long do birds live?
Just how long do birds live? Stuart Blackman takes a look at the lifespan of birds
This marine worm has eyes 20 times heavier than the rest of its head. Why? Sex, apparently
The eyes of this tiny, transparent bristle worm are so big that its vision is comparable to that of octopuses and mammals. Scientists think it may have something to do with a secret language related to mating...
Mammals episode four: What to expect from the 'Cold' episode
Elusive wolverines, hibernating bats and mountain-roaming polar bears feature in episode four of Sir David Attenborough's stunning new wildlife series, Mammals. Find out what else to expect from the episode, plus how to watch it.
Amphibians
The olm: meet the 'human fish', a blind cave-dwelling predator that lives to 100
Journey deep beneath the ground in search of one of the world's weirdest creatures – the olm, a cave-inhabiting 'dragon' that is as elusive as it is peculiar.
How do newts find ponds?
Ever wondered how newts find their ponds? Jules Howard explains
Lizard vs newt: what's the difference?
Newts and lizards can be mistaken for each other, despite being very different. This guide, from Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, explains how to tell them apart.
Animal ID
How to identify wildlife paths and beds
Tall vegetation in midsummer makes it easy to spot the regular paths that wild animals take - and where they rested.
How to identify baby birds
Identify common baby birds with this handy chart
Woodpeckers of the UK
Meet the four woodpecker species that can be found in the UK.
Birds
Which bird has the longest beak?
At 12cm this bird's amazing, dagger-like, beak is longer than its body
King penguin guide: species facts and where they live
Learn about the spectacular aquatic flightless bird known as the kind penguin in our expert guide, including essential species facts, diet and habitat. Plus, the mystery of the shrinking colony.
Loons in murky water. Why scientists in Wisconsin are worried about this icon of the northern wilderness
Reduced water clarity, caused by climate change, spells trouble for the common loon, according to a new study.
Fish
Europe is dismantling its dams at a record-breaking rate – and it's saving rivers
Positive news for fish and other wildlife as 2023 was another record-breaking year for removing dams, weirs and other river barriers, freeing Europe’s rivers and restoring healthy habitats.
Fish Doorbell: The viral livestream that’s saving fish in the Netherlands
A canal lock in the Dutch city of Utrecht has been making a splash with its underwater livestream. But what is the Fish Doorbell and how is it helping local wildlife? Dive in for the full story...
Hammerheads come equipped with underwater metal detectors, and hold their breath to dive to the deep
Scalloped hammerheads captivate the imagination of scientists, conservationists, and nature enthusiasts alike. Here’s why
Insects & Invertebrates
Meet the deadliest and biggest wasp in the world - complete with its scary 6mm stinger - and learn why it's called the murder hornet
This giant wasp would not be a welcome guest at your picnic, says Kitty Aldis
Meet the green banded broodsac, a deadly - and frankly - weird zombie parasite that turns a snail’s eyestalks into colourful, pulsating glowsticks
Nick Baker takes a look at the fascinating life of a green banded broodsac, which turns snails into disco zombies
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...
Mammals
Fascinating facts about our warm blooded friends - the mammals.
How much wood could a woodchuck chuck?
Ellen Husain answers the question 'how much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood'
Discover Australia's iconic wombat: Your ultimate guide to the most adorable creature down under
Discover why these marsupials are beloved icons of Australian wildlife.
Beavers are saving the 'most photographed village in England'. Here's how
Five years after being released on an estate in Essex, beavers are reducing the risks of both drought and flooding in the nearby village of Finchingfield, suggests a new study.
Marine Animals
Weirdest sea creatures - meet 13 strange sea creatures of the deep
Have you heard of the Johnson's abyssal seadevil? Read about this strange ocean animal and more in our guide to the world's weirdest sea creatures
Astonishing deep-sea 'galaxy', underwater mountains and coral gardens discovered off the coast of Chile
The deepest photosynthesising coral in the world and 160 species – at least 50 of which are believed to be new to science – observed during a deep-sea expedition at Chile’s Salas y Gómez Ridge.
Killer whales are using dramatic hunting techniques to catch large marine animals in California
A subpopulation of transient killer whales has been recorded using specialised techniques to hunt sea lions, seals and whale calves in deep submarine canyons off the coast of California, say scientists
Reptiles
Can a green anaconda swallow a human? Learn all about these impressive and feared serpents, including where they live, what they eat and how they mate
Despite its fame and horror film notoriety, very little is known about the anaconda. One man who has got to grips – quite literally – with this giant serpent is Jésus A Rivas... Here he explains what you need to know about this fearsome predator
How do snakes mate? A guide to snake sex
Ever wondered how snakes mate? Romulus Whitaker and Janaki Lenin explain
Tentacled snake: meet the super-hunter that catches its prey in under 30 milliseconds
Nick Baker, the popular naturalist, author and TV presenter reveals a secret realm of overlooked wildlife