David Butvill

Recent articles by David Butvill

Bar-tailed Godwit taking flight off North Beach, Fort DeSoto Park, St. Petersburg, Florida. This rare bird that is usually only spotted on the west coast of the US.

The bird that eats itself to survive: During its epic migration it consumes its internal organs – including its kidneys – which then regenerate

The Namib Desert beetle (genus Stenocara) lives in one of the most arid areas with only 40mm of rain per year, and has developed a unique technique to survive by obtaining water from early morning fog, which is also known as fog basking. It drinks the fog by the means of collecting it on its own bumpy back surface, which provides for accumulation of water droplets. The image is not manipulated.

It can survive without water in one of the driest, deadliest places on Earth, where just 1cm of rain falls a year. Meet the ultimate survivor

Terrifying tiny millipede fires menacing Velcro-like bristles from its butt at assailants

With its unique, Velcro-like bristles that cling to predators, the tiny Porcupine-Velcro Millipede (Polyxenus fasciculatus) is a master of self-defence in the insect world.

Sea cucumber

This weird sea cucumber fires poisonous intestines from its butt to deter predators. Don't worry, they grow back...

The harmless looking sea cucumber is more deadly than it looks and has an array of tools and weapons to ward off predators