Freya Parr
Recent articles by Freya Parr
Weirdest ways animals give birth – are these the 10 craziest animal births ever?
From mouth-brooding fish to tadpoles bursting through their mother’s back, the animal kingdom has some bizarre birth stories
From venomous sex to maternal sacrifice: 7 fascinating facts about octopuses
From venomous mating rituals to post-birth starvation, these remarkable facts reveal just how weird and wonderful octopuses really are
Muddy baby elephants, adorable tumbling penguins and otter cuddles: These cute baby animal videos will melt your heart
From clumsy penguin chicks to newborn giraffes taking their first steps, these heartwarming videos capture baby animals at their most curious, chaotic and downright cute
BBC Earth records rare footage of burrowing bee’s violent mating frenzy – watch nature’s brutal race to reproduce
After spending a year underground, the female Dawson’s burrowing bee emerges from her colony – only to be pounced on by hundreds of potential mates
They can jump, lay half-eggs and never get cold feet: 14 penguin facts that prove just how incredible these seabirds are
From minuscule fairy penguins to half-egg-laying oddities, the world of penguins is full of surprises. Here are some fascinating facts about these remarkable seabirds.
Wild hybrids: Unlike the liger, these 3 real-life crossbred animals naturally exist in the wild
You’ve probably heard of a liger – a lion-tiger hybrid – but while they are bred in captivity, there are other animals that crossbreed in the wild, thanks to their overlapping habitats and closely related genetics
These are the deadliest octopuses in the world – and one has enough venom to kill dozens of humans within minutes
All octopuses produce venom, but very few are actually deadly. From the lethally infamous blue-ringed octopus to lesser-known species with surprising tactics, discover which octopuses possess potent venom
8 greatest fights in the animal kingdom – including polar bear vs walrus – via thrilling BBC Earth footage narrated by David Attenborough
In the wild, survival often hinges on strength, strategy and sheer willpower. In this captivating BBC Earth footage, David Attenborough takes us into the heart of nature's fiercest battles
Watch amazing new BBC footage of macaques stealing babies to resolve arguments
This act might look aggressive, but it’s actually rather commonplace for male macaques to borrow females’ babies as a peace offering when they lose an argument
Weirdest primates in the world: These are the planet's most peculiar (and most wonderful) primates
From the guttural scream of the howler monkey to the ever-growing rat-like teeth of the aye-aye, the primate world is full of weird and wonderful creatures
Fish can do maths, walk, fly AND pee: 14 fish facts that leave you scratching your head
Think you know fish? Think again. From farting herrons to maths geniuses, these underwater wonders continue to surprise us
Wild chimps caught boozing on camera for the first time, eating and sharing alcohol-infused fruit
Humans are famously drawn to alcohol for strengthening social bonds and feasting – and now new research shows that our chimpanzee relatives might be seeking it out for similar reasons
9 animals that change colour: Discover the creatures that can disappear in plain sight, thanks to their magic powers
From colour-shifting squids to snow-white stoats, these are the awe-inspiring species that can change their appearance and colour
From whale wee to porcupine sprays: 8 fascinating – and weird – facts about animal pee
From chipmunks’ urine disguises to dolphins’ pee arcs, the animal kingdom has some surprisingly creative ways of using – and producing – pee
Poop facts: 7 fascinating – and weird - truths about animal poo
From cube-shaped droppings to carbon neutral ocean poos, here are some of the strangest, smelliest and most surprising facts about animal poo from around the globe
Weirdest butts: These are the strangest – and sometimes deadliest – arses in the animal kingdom
From explosive sea cucumbers to beetles that spray boiling toxic fluid from their bums, the world of wildlife is full of unexpected adaptations. These butts aren't just weird – they're life-saving
Magellanic penguin: meet the unlikely companion (and real-life acting superstar) in Steve Coogan’s film The Penguin Lessons
It’s not often a penguin gets a starring role in a hit film, but Steve Coogan’s The Penguin Lessons has ensured that the Magellanic penguin has landed the role of a lifetime
These 15 magical photos show just how uniquely beautiful octopuses can be
Striking images that show different species of octopus in new light, capturing their full, tentacled majesty
David Attenborough narrates amazing BBC footage of hermit crabs lining up to swap homes - who said moving was stressful?
David Attenborough narrates this brilliant depiction of hermit crabs shopping for shells
What are the differences between rats and mice – and how do you tell them apart?
These rodents might both have long tails, twitchy whiskers and possibly not a great reputation – but they are surprisingly different once you know what to look out for
How to eat sustainable seafood without it emptying your wallet
On a budget? The latest advice from the Marine Conservation Society recommends some starting points for eating sustainable seafood – without it costing a fortune
Could a swan actually break your arm?
They may look serene gliding across a lake, but swans are known to be fiercely protective. We explore whether Britain’s biggest bird really has the strength to snap a human arm...
Nature's most bizarre creatures: These are the 10 weirdest mammals on the planet
From egg-laying echidnas to star-nosed moles, the animal kingdom is full of bizarre and fascinating mammals you may not believe exist
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