Leoma Williams
Animal behavior researcher and science writer
Leoma Williams is an animal behavior researcher and science writer. She is currently studying for a PhD at the University of Manchester, investigating the evolution of sociality in primates, with a focus on cooperation in monkeys and apes, as well as studying social birds such as ravens. In autumn 2019, she was an editorial intern at BBC Wildlife, writing news articles, fact-files, and quizzes for the website, as well as news articles for the magazine. She now writes periodically for both the website and print magazine, mostly as a frequent ‘ask an expert’ in the Q&A section, answering questions like “Can other animals lie?” and “Is trade unique to humans?”. She is interested in figuring out how animals think and interact, and what guides their behavior. In her spare time she can be found cooking, painting, and talking to her cat.
Recent articles by Leoma Williams
"It doesn't come much weirder than having a see-through head!" 16 strangest, weirdest fish in the world, including one that can incredibly live out of water
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
"Eating it leads to liver failure, kidney failure, and death." 9 deadliest fungi on the planet – mushrooms you don't want to mess with
Mushrooms can be a great and tasty source of food, but foragers beware, some should be avoided at all cost!
"Sometimes it works with remarkable success and sometimes with disastrous consequences..."
Leoma Williams explains all you need to know about biological pest control
"Standing at a whopping 3.7m and weighing 4 tonnes they were truly colossal." 10 extraordinary Ice Age, prehistoric, beasts that thrived in a frozen world
The temperatures were low, but the animals were immense! Our expert guide examines some of the truly massive animals that dominated Ice age landscapes
What animals mate for life? 10 most devoted, loved-up couples in the animal kingdom
We meet some of the animals that mate for life, but are monogamous relationships in animals as sweet as they seem?
Pobblebonk, Chachalaca, dik-dik – 10 crazy animals who sound like their bizarre names
Animals are often given very descriptive names, whether after their fur colour or scale pattern, or a particular aspect of their size or shape. And some are named after the sounds they make, which can have sometimes humorous results. Here are 10 of our favourites.
"The entire family of a deceased matriarch surrounded her corpse, gently touching her with their trunks, as if trying to lift her" – Do animals understand death...?
Do animals grieve for their dead? Do they have an awareness of what death is? Researchers have been trying to find out…
Back from the dead: meet 10 incredible animals once thought extinct
Feel-good stories are rare in animal conservation, but these ‘back from the dead’ species are a cause for celebration.
"Poisoning causes lung collapse, brain haemorrhage and death" – discover the world’s 10 most poisonous, deadliest plants
There is an incredible number of dangerous and deadly plants around the world. here are just 10, including some with the ability to kill
"They are the only canid with fur on the pads of their feet, like built-in snowshoes." 11 Arctic animals that thrive in this inhospitable freezing landscape
Although the Arctic may be a cold and harsh place to live, it is home to many fascinating animal species. Here are our top 10 Animals that live in the Arctic
"Death can result very quickly" - Discover the world's 10 most venomous animals
It's not just particular snakes and spiders you have to watch out for! Here are our top ten venomous animals, from surprising sea creatures to primates.
10 astonishing brainless animals that are remarkably clever – proving you don't always need a brain to be smart...
What is cleverness? Do animals need a brain to be clever? Leoma Williams investigates...
10 strongest animals in the world - including the deadliest bear on the planet and a creature that can pull 1,141 times its body weight
Discover some of the world's most powerful animals
11 blind, extraordinary creatures that live and hunt for prey in complete darkness
Many animal species have adapted to survive and even evolve without sight, often relying on other senses - here are 10 blind animals with next to no vision
10 animal killer plants that trap and devour their prey
Not all carnivores have teeth… Read on to learn about 10 ingenious - and deadly - meat-eating carnivorous plants.
Do chimps and gorillas ever fight with each other?
Would chimpanzees make good politicians?
12 weirdest body parts, including fake penises, creepy extra-long fingers – and a moth with an extraordinary 30cm long tongue...
To enhance their chances of survival - and attracting the opposite sex - evolution has helped animals develop some very strange body parts
10 smallest, tiniest birds in the world – including one that weighs just 1.95g
Birds vary enormously in size and shape. The ostrich can grow up to 9ft tall. But what about at the other end of the spectrum? Here are the world’s 10 very smallest birds.
10 biggest spiders in the world: Discover gigantic, terrifying arachnids as big as dinner plates
Meet the ten largest spiders in the world - you wouldn't want to see these scuttling across your carpet!
10 deadliest animals to humans: Discover nature’s top – most lethal – killers
Think you might know what the 10 deadliest animals might be? Our expert guide rounds up the animals causing the most number of human deaths per year – and some of them might just surprise you.
What are the most dangerous snakes in Australia? Discover the country's top 4 deadliest serpents
Learn about the potent venom of these dangerous reptiles, as well as habitats, and the risks they pose to humans.
10 cutest animals on the planet – including an adorable hippo, a loveable frog and the world's sweetest wild dog
What makes an animal cute? And what are the cutest animals in the world? Here is our top 10 - do you agree?
10 deadliest insects on the planet: Discover the world's most dangerous insects to humans, including one that's a major ingredient in 'love potions'
Small but deadly! From disease spreaders to stingers to voracious swarms, read all about the world’s most deadly and dangerous insects.
