Steve Harris
Recent articles by Steve Harris
The little-known story of war elephants: How ancient civilisations turned gentle giants into deadly weapons
It's not only horses that were used in ancient warfare. Steve Harris recounts the history of war elephants
It's the size of a Labrador and barks like a dog, yet has fangs like a snake and doesn't eat meat. Meet one of the weirdest wild animals on the planet
Discover all you need to know about muntjac deer, including why it has glands on its face
How wild is your cat? 6 key behaviours that reveal the wild ancestry of your cat
Watching domestic cats can offer some surprising insights into the lives of their wild relatives. Find out more about the lion in your living room.
How to identify mammal skulls - and work out the creature they once belonged to
Skulls can be found virtually anywhere, but skull identification can be difficult. Learn how to identify common mammal skulls in our expert guide.
How to get rid of mice and rats in your house
Identify the signs they leave, what problems they cause, how to get rid of rats and mice humanely and how to prevent them from returning to your home.
Why do only small mammals hibernate?
Why don't larger animals hibernate? Steve Harris explains
The animals that can tackle and eat the world's most venomous snakes
Do any animals enjoy a tasty meal of venomous snakes? Steve Harris looks at the species that are resistant to deadly venom
14 incredible spider facts you probably didn't know
Spiders are one of the easiest groups of invertebrates to watch and they're fascinating creatures. Here are some of our favourite fun spider facts.
How to identify wildlife paths and beds
Tall vegetation in midsummer makes it easy to spot the regular paths that wild animals take - and where they rested.
How to identify mammal bones on the seashore
Mammal expert Steve Harris discusses which mammal bones you might find washed ashore, and how to identify them.
Grey squirrels guide: diet, reproduction - and why they chase each other
Grey squirrels are among our most frequently seen wild mammals, especially in gardens and parks. Late winter is a good time to watch them, since they are so easy to see.
Owl pellets guide: how to identify and dissect
It's great fun finding owl pellets, but do you know who made them? Discover how to find them and the key identification features to look for. Plus, a selection of pellets produced by some other birds, and droppings that may get mistaken for pellets.
Why do rabbits have such long ears?
Mammal expert Steve Harris explains why rabbits have sung long ears
Understanding rabbit behaviour
Discover all you need to know about rabbits and their behaviours, and why a rabbit's ear positions are the best indicators of its disposition.
Understand fox behaviour
From blood-curdling screams in mid-winter, to deadly fights between cubs in their dens, red foxes have a range of fascinating behaviours.
How to identify animal burrows and holes
Learn how to identify animal habitats with our guide to the common animal burrows and holes found in the British wintertime.
How to identify bird and mammal nests
An easy guide to identifying bird and mammals nests you are may find in your garden or local area, including blackbird, robin, hedgehog and grey squirrel.
How to identify bird egg thieves
You can learn a lot from broken bird eggs, including whether they hatched naturally or were predated. Learn how to identify birds' eggs remains and the species which most likely stole the egg from the nest.
How to identify deer antlers
Early spring is a great time to look for the cast antlers of British deer. Learn how to identify antlers in BBC Wildlife expert guide.
How to identify animal tracks and trails
Learn how to find and identify British animal tracks and trails when they are well preserved in wet mud or snow with BBC Wildlife expert tracking guide.
How to make compost and attract wildlife to your garden
There are many excellent reasons why you should make compost. It is an effective and simple way to recycle, and it provides a valuable resource that will encourage a healthy diversity of wildlife in your garden. Here is our expect compost guide to compost, explaining how to make it and use it to attract wildlife.
How to build and care for your wildlife pond
Ponds are one of the most important features to include in a wildlife-friendly garden as a huge variety of species depend on them. Learn how to care for your wildlife pond with our expert guide, including best pond plants to grow each season and how to attract more visitors to your pond.
How to make your garden wildlife-friendly
Most of us would like more wildlife to visit our gardens, and making your patch attractive to birds, mammals and invertebrates needn't involve a lot of work. Here are our easy tips for creating a wildlife haven in your backyard.
Feral pigeon: flying rat or urban hero?
Some of us think the feral pigeon is a pest, but Steve Harris is smitten by this tough, adaptable and really rather useful bird.