8 astonishing close-up photos of the world’s most beautiful pheasant
Resplendent in red, gold and blue, the male of this spectacular species sports a crest like a barrister’s wig – even if it leaves him with massive blind spots
“Just sat there on deck.” Researchers weren’t expecting to see this onboard when they came back from their dive
The marine scientists were trying to learn more about UK kelp forests when they got a little more than they bargained for
Bum-breathing turtles, two-headed lizards and tree-dwelling kangaroos - meet the 13 weirdest animals in Australia
Australia's oceans, deserts and rainforests are home to some truly weird and wonderful species – here are 13 of the strangest.
A team of robotics experts analysed this animal’s huge, iconic body part – here’s why
Recent studies of the skin and structure of an elephant's trunk are revealing valuable insights for grasping and tactile sensing in the future of robotics
"Their pincer-like mouth parts inject a venom that paralyses and liquifies their hapless victims." 10 gruesome animals that liquidise their prey before eating
Nature harbours a chilling arsenal of predators that don’t just kill their prey — they dissolve it. These eight grisly creatures turn bodies into broth, transforming their victims into a macabre meal they can simply sip and swallow.
"Armed with up to 60 serrated teeth, it attacks using a devastating 'grip-and-rip' technique." World's 10 deadliest bites that crush, slice or inject their victims
Stuart Blackman takes a look at the animals that can deliver the deadliest of bites
This ruthless spider constructs a trap that catapults prey into its web at astonishing speeds
The ballista spider has taken a liking to one specific species of ant and developed a cunning way of hunting it.
"Banishment is basically a death sentence in the Kalahari. It follows a barrage of physical abuse." Meet the world's most murderous mammal...
They may look cute, but the matriarchal meerkat society is deadly.
It has a cloak, huge eyes and bright blue snot – AND that's only the beginning...
What are vampire squids? Where do they live and why are they called vampire? Stuart Blackman explains all
As long as a Honda Civic, this animal's torpedo-shaped body and powerful tail propel it to a blistering 70 kmh – or even more...
Did you know the fastest shark in the world can reach speeds of 70km per hour? Pretty impressive...
Birds
What is a chicken wishbone – and why on Earth do people fight over it?
Just how useful is a wishbone to a chicken? Find out with our expert guide
These tiny birds are doubling in size on remote Scottish islands – and are on their way to “becoming a new species”
Isolated on remote Scottish islands, tiny wrens have recently been discovered to be a fascinating case of island gigantism.
Do any birds have teeth?
Why don't birds have teeth? And did they ever have teeth? Stuart Blackman explains
What's the world's biggest parrot? There are two contenders: one has a massive 1m wingspan and the other weighs a whopping 3kg
Meet two giant birds fighting for the title of world's biggest parrot.
Bat vs bird: what's the difference between these two winged animals?
What are the actual anatomical differences between bats and birds?
Why are young birds sometimes bigger than their parents?
Just why do some young birds bigger than their parents? Mike Toms explains
How to identify wildlife
Red squirrel vs grey squirrel: Think you know how they differ? Think again as the differences between these two squirrels will surprise you
We take a look at how the red squirrel differs to its American grey cousin
Brown rat or water vole: How to tell the difference between these two lookalike-rodents
When all you've seen is a flash of brown fur, it can be hard to know whether it was a water vole or rat. Though the two species tend to live in different habitats, there are areas where they overlap, potentially leading to cases of mistaken identity. So how do you tell rats and water voles apart?
Mink or otter? What's the difference between these two slippery, semiaquatic lookalikes?
How do you tell the difference between otters and mink?
LRPs, PG Tips and Jizz: Cracking the secret language of birders
You’re sitting in a hide and overhear other birders talking. The conversation ranges from ‘LRPs’ and ‘roosting Leos’ and you scratch your chin as you try to decipher their code – welcome to the world of birding jargon.
It's the fastest animal in the world and its deadly claws can catch prey mid-air: Meet one of the world's most incredible birds of prey
Peregrines are the ultimate urban predator. Learn all about them, including how to spot them ‘stooping’ to catch prey
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Save 30% when you subscribe to BBC Wildlife Magazine, plus receive Simon Barnes’ latest release, Spring is the Only Season
Plants
It spans nearly 5 acres, grows on competitors and has a habit of strangling its host
Seeds of the banyan tree are small and unlikely to survive on the ground – but it’s found a way to thrive anyway.
One of England’s oldest trees – which loomed over the Sherwood Forest for over 1,000 years – has died. Here’s why
The tree is perhaps best known for its link to Robin Hood’s story – as legend has it, him and his Merry Men used it as shelter for years.
Experts discover ‘The Heaven Sword’ after a decade searching Taiwan’s forests – and it’s taller than a 20-story building
Researchers started out on a quest to find the island's largest tree and were amazed at what they found
This extraordinary forest below the waves is the only one of its kind – and it’s home to one of the fastest-growing organisms on Earth
Stretching along South Africa’s rugged coastline lies one of the planet’s most extraordinary yet little-known ecosystems: the Great African Sea Forest
