Magda Patynska
Magda is the content writer for discoverwildlife.com, and spends her days researching weird (and often deadly) animals. Outside of work, she enjoys engaging with and writing about fan culture in all its forms.
Recent articles by Magda Patynska
“It carefully measures insect body parts for size, chewing down the ones that don’t fit...” This carnivore decorates its home in bones of its prey
Most caterpillars are herbivorous and spend their lives munching on leaves and vegetation. But not this one – this one is a predator.
“A deeper genetic mystery.” This spider sports a smiley face – and scientists just discovered a new species of it
The happy-face spider was thought to be unique to Hawaii – until now.
“Enveloped by the mouth and suffocated inside, 6,000 teeth scraping, rasping and boring into its flesh…”
Hidden away in New Zealand’s forests is a giant snail that eats earthworms like spaghetti.
It can weigh a whopping 800kg and move at a rapid 40kph, but it's not the only giant out there... 7 biggest bears on the planet
The largest members of the bear family are fascinating for far more than just the size of their paws or the strength of their bite.
“It’s like being electrocuted and set on fire at the same time…” Discover one of the world's most dangerous trees
This tree is considered one of the world’s most venomous plants, and its painful effects can last for years.
“Over the next 6 months, it will prey on the defenceless larvae until it’s 100 times its original size.” This undercover carnivore may look harmless – but don’t be fooled
In rare footage captured for the BBC’s Wild Isles, the carnivorous caterpillar uses master trickery to survive.
This venomous pit viper snake has been hiding a secret…
The Himalayan pit viper was first described in 1864, and until recently was believed to be one single, although widespread, species.
The mystery of the White Shark Café: why do great white sharks migrate to this remote stretch of ocean?
For years, nobody knew why great white sharks favour this area so much - until a research vessel followed them there.
The rarest marsupial in the world is close to extinction. So scientists are using its own poop to save it
With fewer than 150 Gilbert’s potoroos left in the wild, scientists are turning to an unlikely tool – the animals’ own faeces – to find them a safer home.
“The cordyceps erupts from the ant’s head.” Deadly parasitic fungus infiltrates an ant’s body and mind in this BBC Planet Earth clip
In footage captured for BBC’s Planet Earth, an ant is infected by deadly zombie fungus.
This lost ocean vanished millions of years ago – but it may have shaped the ancient mountains of the dinosaurs
A new study suggests the prehistoric Tethys Ocean was driving mountain formation thousands of kilometres away.
Mysterious ‘ghost shark’, carnivorous ‘death ball’ sponge, and a worm living in a ‘glass castle’ – more than 1,100 new marine species discovered
The extraordinary discoveries were made over 13 ocean expeditions to some of the planet’s most extreme environments.
Trap tentacles, spider-tails and faking death: Meet the world's most cunning snakes
The king cobra is widely considered to be the smartest snake in the world, but there are other snake species that use clever tactics to lure and catch their prey.
Extraordinary and bizarre “miniature world” of slime mould revealed in winning image for The Wildlife Photography Awards 2026
The winner of the competition was chosen from a selection of five photographs voted on by the public.
Is this genius plant better at math than you? The answer is probably yes
The first informal use of Voronoi diagrams can be traced back to 1644 – but the Chinese money plant has had it figured out for much longer.
"It preys on animals 6 times its size and hides in walls..."
Scientists have discovered a tiny wall-dwelling spider in Colombia – and named it after the iconic band Pink Floyd
8 most stylish, elegant animals on the planet that look like super models destined to strut their stuff on the catwalk
This year’s Met Gala dress code was Fashion is Art – but in nature, you'll find many species that put on their own fashion show.
Realities of the deadly and unforgiving life on the African savannah caught in 10 brutal photographs
African wildlife is as brutal as it is beautiful – characterised by daily struggles for survival, and often even aggressive fights between the same species.
Winking, dancing, giving a finger, hailing a cab... 11 hilarious wild animal moments caught on camera
Welcome to our comedy animals gallery...
What happens when a fly lands on your food? It’s not so much about the fly as where it's been... (poop!)
The time a fly spends stomping around your meal increases the associated health risks, so the natural instinct to swat it away immediately is right on the money.
What awards has David Attenborough won? All you need to know about the oldest Emmy Award winner in the world
To celebrate Sir David Attenborough’s 100th birthday, we’ve compiled a list of some of his various awards and accolades.
David Attenborough’s 7 greatest firsts, from killer fungi and hydroplaning dolphins to mating slugs and birds imitating car alarms
David Attenborough’s nature documentaries have captured some first-time animal behaviours over the years on film – here are just some of them.
What wildlife documentaries don’t show: 6 times filming turned terrifying, from nearly dying in Antarctica to being arrested for subversive activities
Filming a wildlife documentary is no small feat – and sometimes, nature is working against you
"Then there's those long, fang-tipped jaws..." 6 most cunning, devious spiders that manipulate, seduce and stalk their way to a successful kill
Meet the world's most cunning spiders, from the cannibalistic assassin spider, to the vampire spider with a penchant for human blood.
