Animal Facts
Back from the dead: meet 10 animals once presumed extinct
Feel-good stories are rare in animal conservation, but these ‘back from the dead’ species are a cause for celebration.
Meet 23 blue animals, from the pretty blue-speckled tree monitor to the vivid blue poison dart frog
Discover 23 amazing blue animals – some common, some rare. And there may even be some surprises... blue bee anyone?
Baffling (yet adorable) footage of a Tasmanian wombat foraging in the ocean has scientists stumped
Tourists were curious when they saw the marsupial appearing to drink seawater and eat aquatic plants.
Spellbinding footage captures critically endangered whale with her baby off the New England coast
There are around 360 North Atlantic right whales left on the planet, so every calf is precious.
Venomous lionfish are invading the Mediterranean Sea. The rise of these deadly predators has scientists worried
The species’ rapid spread across the Mediterranean, including to habitats previously thought to be unsuitable, could have significant ecological impacts.
What's new?
There's a flying squid? Yes some squid really can fly - Here's how and why
Can squid really fly? Yes, says David Brian Butvill, there are a few squid species that can get airborne... Here's how and why
5 ways to live forever: the secrets to why some species can live for a very long time
Why are some species able to live for a very long time? We take a look at the characteristics needed for a long life
Monstrous prehistoric salmon with teeth like warthog tusks once roamed the Pacific Ocean
Palaeontologists believe the teeth of the giant fish – which was almost three metres long – may have been used for fighting and digging nests.
Are insects more active in the day or night? Scientists may finally have the answer
After observing more than three million insects, scientists in Australia have "a definitive answer to the age-old question of whether there are more insects out at night or in the day”. So, which is it?
Caterpillars are insects but have more than six legs. Here’s why
Discover the evolutionary marvels that contribute to a caterpillar's unique locomotion and survival strategies.
Amphibians
The olm: meet the 'human fish', a blind cave-dwelling predator that lives to 100
Journey deep beneath the ground in search of one of the world's weirdest creatures – the olm, a cave-inhabiting 'dragon' that is as elusive as it is peculiar.
How do newts find ponds?
Ever wondered how newts find their ponds? Jules Howard explains
Lizard vs newt: what's the difference?
Newts and lizards can be mistaken for each other, despite being very different. This guide, from Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, explains how to tell them apart.
Animal ID
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 baby birds
Identify common baby birds with this handy chart
Woodpeckers of the UK
Meet the four woodpecker species that can be found in the UK.
Birds
Meet the strange-looking bird making a spectacular recovery amid the skyscrapers of Singapore
We uncover the unique harmony between urban life and wildlife conservation in one of Asia's bustling cities
How do flocks of birds fly so close together without colliding? The mystery explained
Fascinated by the closely co-ordinated manoeuvres of starling flocks and other birds? Phil Gates takes a look at how birds are able to synchronise so precisely - and avoid crashing
How long do birds live?
Just how long do birds live? Stuart Blackman takes a look at the lifespan of birds
Fish
Fish are mysteriously spinning in circles and dying in Florida. And scientists don't know why
Experts are getting involved to get to the bottom of the worrying phenomenon that is killing Florida's critically endangered smalltooth sawfish.
Schools of fish can swim as quietly as individuals. How 'acoustic stealth' could inspire next wave of submarines
The way fish move has a significant impact on how noisy the school is, according to a new study. Engineers say the finding could lead to the development of stealthier underwater vehicles.
Europe is dismantling its dams at a record-breaking rate – and it's saving rivers
Positive news for fish and other wildlife as 2023 was another record-breaking year for removing dams, weirs and other river barriers, freeing Europe’s rivers and restoring healthy habitats.
Insects & Invertebrates
Discover the flatworm that can survive being sliced up by a knife
Nick Baker explores the bizarre life of a freshwater flatworm
Meet the moon snail, a killer predator who likes to paralyse and liquidise its prey
If you're visiting a sandy beach you may like to reflect on something that might be going on below your feet. Lurking behind the veil of wet sand, a killer is on the prowl. A driller-killer, no less. Let me introduce you to the moon snail
Lord Voldemort ant discovered in Australian outback
The ghostly new species of ant, named after the Harry Potter villain, was found in the Pilbara region of north-west Australia.
Mammals
Fascinating facts about our warm blooded friends - the mammals.
I went to Zambia in search of Tripod, a three-legged lioness who survived a poacher’s snare. This is her story.
Seven years ago, a poacher’s snare robbed a lioness of her leg. Against the odds, she lives on in Kafue National Park, Zambia. Mike Dexter goes in search of her
Sperm whales have been seen pooing on orcas in what scientists think may be a form of 'defensive defecation'
Researchers observed orcas fleeing from sperm whale faeces – but was this ‘defensive defecation' a tactic or just a coincidence?
Baby elephant suck their trunks, like human babies suck their thumbs. Here's why...
Marine Animals
Giant prehistoric ichthyosaur found in UK might be largest marine reptile ever, say scientists
The ocean titan, identified as a new species of giant ichthyosaur, could have been as big as a blue whale.
1,000 oceanic manta rays seen in the Maldives
Landmark moment as 1,000th individual oceanic manta ray is recorded in Maldivian waters. The Indian Ocean archipelago has the third largest population in the world, after Ecuador and Mexico.
What is a cephalopod?
Cephalopods are an exclusively marine group comprising octopuses, cuttlefish, squids and nautiluses says Stuart Blackman
Reptiles
Largest snake to ever live discovered in an Indian mine
Scientists in India have discovered the remains of an ancient snake species which may have reached lengths of up to 15 metres, according to a new study.
How the devilish water snake, Erpeton tentaculatum, frightens its prey right into its mouth - in less than 0.02 seconds
South-East Asia's tentacled snake Erpeton tentaculatum must be a frightening sight - for fish
Can a green anaconda swallow a human? Learn all about these impressive and feared serpents, including where they live, what they eat and how they mate
Despite its fame and horror film notoriety, very little is known about the anaconda. One man who has got to grips – quite literally – with this giant serpent is Jésus A Rivas... Here he explains what you need to know about this fearsome predator