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
“Inside every female, there is a new male in waiting...” This bizarre-looking fish attempts to mate – but there’s one big problem
This female kobudai vanished after refusing a mate. When she resurfaced, everything about her had changed.
Scientists were exploring a river in China when they came across something absolutely enormous…
Giant salamanders are the largest amphibians in the world – and researchers just found a new species
“A mutating army of deadly germs” – 8 deadliest bacterial diseases to avoid like the plague
A bacterial infection is nothing to worry about – that’s what antibiotics are for, right? Well, not exactly, as an increasing number of them are now being outsmarted by a mutating army of potentially deadly germs.
These giant insects are spreading across Europe. And they're reproducing fast
Boosted by climate change and human activity, these praying mantises have settled in – and are proving to be quite problematic residents.
Humans and starfish have something surprising in common. Here’s what we can learn from them
Humans and sea stars have something in common – here’s why it matters to scientists studying organ development
“It slowly disappears under a writhing mass of earth and ants and is sliced up.” Ravenous insects devour prey alive in BBC clip
Driver ants attack everything unfortunate enough to wind up in their path – and this unlucky slug is in for a tough day.
“It seizes the victim with large spines, impaling and immobilising the prey…” This ultimate hunter might look like a spider, but don’t be fooled…
In this clip from BBC Earth’s Expedition Guyana, George McGavin explores an extreme habitat underneath a fallen, hollowed-out tree in a Guyana rainforest, and comes across something interesting…
What do a beetle and an iconic anime character have in common? A lot, apparently
Beetles constitute almost 25% of all known animal species – scientists just discovered two more.
A colossal 900 snakes on the loose, swimming through floodwaters after severe flooding in South China
The snakes, including venomous cobras, escaped from a breeding farm amid severe flooding triggered by Typhoon Maysak.
“It can reach speeds of an impressive 72 kmph..." 6 fastest, speediest wild dogs on the planet
When you picture a fast animal, a cheetah or a racehorse probably comes to mind – but wild dogs are quietly some of the most efficient runners on the planet
Scientists entered a cave on a mysterious Caribbean island, strewn with strange fossils. What they found there was like nothing else on Earth
Bees are known for being incredibly smart – this recent discovery confirms that their ancient counterparts were just as resourceful.
Researchers went into a Neolithic cave on a remote Swedish island – and found unexpected remains
Archaeologists unearthed the remains of two canids in a cave on an isolated island – how did they get there?
“It's deadlier than cyanide and causes paralysis and death. And, unfortunately, there's no known antidote..." 8 most poisonous BIRDS on the planet
They say that you are what you eat – and these unassuming birds eat toxins like it’s nothing.
This fish lives in complete darkness – and scientists just found out it does something weird...
The two different species of cavefish live on the surface and in complete darkness, offering a rare glimpse into how the brain evolves and adapts to different environments
Researchers took moss from the Californian desert – and found something very weird (and tiny) in it
Mosses are known for their durability, able to survive anywhere from the peaks of the Himalayas or the sands of Death Valley, to the unforgiving vastness of space
This tropical creature lives almost 3 times longer than expected and appears to barely age. Here’s why scientists are so excited
Insects don’t tend to live very long lives, but one tropical butterfly has found a way to stay young.
BBC Winterwatch will not be returning to our screens in 2027
The BBC has announced the cancellation among other cuts across news, nations, TV and radio content.
"These lethal 20cm thorns cause severe puncture wounds & painful infections." The tree that's still armed against monsters last seen 12,000 years ago
The honey locust gets its name from the sweet pulp within its fruit – but apart from that, there’s nothing sweet about this thorny tree.
“It’s by far the largest I’ve ever seen in my 25 years as a marine biologist…” New 4-metre giant, 400-year-old creature discovered
A coral over twice the average height of a male adult human – and is also possibly 400 years old – has been found in the depths of Fiordland
Dynamite whales, exploding toads, suicide ants, bomb rats: 10 most explosive animals on the planet (and yes they make a mess)
Explosions are messy at the best of times, but when the thing exploding is an animal, or part of an animal, it rarely ends well.
"They jump 20ft from ledge to ledge, climb slopes at up to 15mph and even turn mid-air…" Meet the world's best climbers for whom gravity just gets in the way
These animals scale their heights with no ropes or harnesses.
"The cones are as big as a rugby ball and weigh up to 40 pounds, more than heavy enough to kill…”
You don’t want to get too close to this tree – it’s not toxic, but it’s still deadly.
“An agonising way to die: it causes whole body convulsions, and the victim is painfully and horribly aware…”
Also called the Asian vomit button tree, the strychnine tree contains one of nature’s deadliest poisons, famously featured in many mystery novels.
"These giant apex predators are the size of a small car, as fast as a galloping horse, and have jaws strong enough to crush bones.“ 10 deadliest animals in Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park is the world’s oldest national park and home to some of North America’s largest and fiercest megafauna…
