Dr Helen Scales
Dr Helen Scales is a marine biologist, broadcaster and science writer. She is the author of Spirals in Time and The Brilliant Abyss.
Recent articles by Dr Helen Scales
Meet nature’s deadliest sniper, the archerfish – this lethal assassin shoots down prey with fatally accurate water jets
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
Meet the immortal animals that never die
Immortal jellyfish, and a few similar species, are said to be immortal. But how true is this claim? Dr Helen Scales explains.
Is there really no such thing as a fish?
It's a saying you might be familiar with, particularly if you listen to the popular podcast by the QI Elves, but how true is it? Is there really no such thing as a fish?
Discover the glittering rock 'n' roll Elvis worms, who have a penchant for fighting and getting 'all shook up'
Meet the Elvis worm, a deep-sea creature with iridescent scales, dazzles with its shimmering armour
What is a pigbutt worm? It's a worm that looks just like its name suggests for starters...
Meet the pigbutt worm - that looks just like it sounds. Never has a name been so apt...
Why don’t deep-sea animals implode? Here's how they survive extreme pressures at the bottom of the ocean
Just how do deep-sea fish avoid imploding? Dr Helen Scales explains
Why do seahorses look like horses?
Just why do seahorses look like horses? Helen Scales explains why their equine-looking head makes them stealthy ambush predators
Squid vs octopus: what's the difference between these multiple-limbed sea creatures?
Although squid and octopuses have a good deal in common, they are quite different, as Helen Scales explains
How do 'flying fish' fly?
Just how do 'flying fish' appear to soar through the air? Helen Scales explains
Why is whale poo good for the planet?
We don’t often think of whales defecating, but we should – their faeces have a vitally important part to play in the ecosystem of our oceans.
Best books on marine and coastal wildlife
Take a dive into the watery depths of our oceans, soar over the waves, or explore fascinating rock pools on the coastline, with this wide range of books on marine and coastal wildlife.
Seashells expert guide: what are they, where do they come from, and how are they made?
Every shell was once part of a living sea creature. But what are they? How are they formed? And what animals use them? Our expert guide has the answers
Do octopuses ever live together?
Octopuses are typically solitary creatures, but a group of them were found living together off Australia's coastline.
The fascinating world of the lemon shark
Lemon sharks have personalities, make friends, use body language and learn tricks. They’re forcing us to rethink how we see big sharks, says Helen Scales.
