Stuart Blackman
Recent articles by Stuart Blackman
10 deadliest bites on the planet: These animals crush, slice or inject their victims, drain their blood or dismantle them piece by piece
Stuart Blackman takes a look at the animals that can deliver the deadliest of bites
Deadliest animal traps: From honeytraps to booby traps here's 10 ingenious, shocking – and ruthless – ways predators lure prey to their death
Rather than chasing down their prey these ruthless killers prefer their dinner to come to them
World's 10 deadliest diseases humans can get from animals – including the torturous. sleeping sickness, which affects the brain causing insomnia and worse
15 weirdest birds on the planet: meet the strangest wonders of the avian world – including one that asks humans for help and another that smells like a cow
There are plenty of contenders for the weirdest bird list from the 'stinky' hoatzin to the strange-looking secretary bird. Here are our favourite weirdest birds
What's the smallest snake in the world? Clue - it's as thin as a strand of spaghetti
Stuart Blackman goes in search of the smallest snake in the world.
What is a panzootic – and is it the same as a pandemic?
Ever wondered what a panzootic is? Stuart Blackman takes a look
Just how and why did the elephant get its remarkable trunk?
What is an elephant's trunk used for and how many muscles are in it?
“It’s effectively ripping apart the water.” It's only an inch long but this creature creates shockwaves of over 200 decibels which generate heat AND light
Despite its size, the pistol shrimp boasts one of the best (and loudest) weapons in the ocean.
A blue whale's tongue weighs the same as an elephant – but is it the longest tongue in the animal kingdom?
Ever wondered which animal has the longest tongue? Well, it depends on how you measure it, explains Stuart Blackman
Nectar vs pollen: what's the difference between these two substances that bees love?
Nectar and pollen are loved by pollinators such as bees – but what exactly is the difference between them?
This country is the most biodiverse on Earth – although scientists don't know exactly why
Ever wondered which country has the most species? Stuart Blackman takes a look
Swimming pigs? The island where wild pigs roam - and swim out to welcome visitors. Watch the amazing footage here...
How did pigs get to the Bahamas? Well, there are several explanations – some more likely than others...
What is the stickiest substance on Earth? And just how sticky is it?
Scientists discovered that a 1cm squared patch of the substance could be sticky enough to suspend an African buffalo
Arachnophobes look away now as here are the weirdest spiders in the world – including one that has a taste for human blood…
Check out the weirdest spiders in the world, from the curiously-named 'happy-bum spider' to a fearsome species that eats its sexual partner
9 animals that could take on (and probably kill) a saltwater crocodile
Although they are apex predators in their own habitats, saltwater crocodiles do face threats from other animals. Here are 9 that are capable of killing a saltie
This prehistoric ‘giant weasel’ was the size of a jaguar and could crush bone – and distantly related to the world’s smallest carnivore
Modern mustelids such as the least weasel have a reputation for punching above their weight – and the prehistoric forms were no exception.
Claws vs talons: what's the difference?
While we often use talons and claws interchangeably, is there actually a difference between them?
Can alligators and crocodiles crossbreed?
Crocodiles and alligators are often confused for one another, but that doesn't necessarily mean they can interbreed, says Stuart Blackman.
What's the largest forest in the world?
Ever wondered what the largest rainforest in the world is? And what do we even class as a forest anyway?
Why are snails so slow?
Snails aren't built for speed – that much is obvious. But why are they so slow? Stuart Blackman takes a look.
Why do ostriches have two knees?
Stuart Blackman explains why an ostrich's legs look so strange
Why are animals black and white?
From puffins to zebras, there are plenty of monochrome animals. But why are they black and white?
Why was New Zealand once free of land mammals?
Many of New Zealand's native species are endemic – but they are often birds, reptiles and marine life. So why does New Zealand have so few mammals?
Do you know your Zygomorphic from your Anthropocene? No? Then you need our scientific and biological terms glossary
Have you ever puzzled over the meaning of a particular wildlife word or phrase? Then puzzle no more! From the 'Fraser Darling effect' to the 'K-T Boundary', our glossary provides the explanation – in plain, simple English.