Animal Facts
The "absolutely adorable” reason this octopus is hiding behind a twig
The curious octopus – filmed in Florida – appears to be playing hide-and-seek with a diver.
Giant river otters return to Argentina after 40-year absence
Previously extinct in Argentina, a family of four giant river otters has been released in Iberá as part of efforts to return the animals to the wild.
The very cute Dumbo octopus can swallow prey whole, reproduce at any time and is named after a Disney character – meet the elusive deep-sea animal
This animal's population is also unknown, as specimens are rarely found intact by scientists
Reef rockstars: Meet the fish that disguise themselves as rocks to ambush their prey – with deadly consequences
Nature is full of oddballs – including these peculiar-looking fish that have adapted to their environments
This bizarre "giant swimming head" is about to return to Bali
Sunfish are on their way to Bali for the season and scuba divers are beyond excited.
What's new?
How did the Romans capture lions and tigers for bloodthirsty entertainment at the Colosseum?
It is well known that Romans used lions for entertainment - but how on earth did they capture these ferocious animals?
Think flying ants are a nuisance? Think again – here's why Flying Ant Day is actually one of the UK's most remarkable natural spectacles (you might be surprised)
Flying ants are harmless to humans. In fact, their mass emergence in the middle of summer is really quite amazing. Here's why...
When cavers went into a hill in Cambodia, they found a 'night wanderer' lurking in the darkness
The small animal was one of several new species discovered during the expedition, suggesting the region could be a haven for other rare and endangered wildlife, say researchers.
"Largest great hammerhead ever filmed in the Bahamas"
A four-metre great hammerhead shark has been filmed up-close in the Bahamas.
The world’s ultimate survivors: Meet 8 indestructible animals that can withstand everything from fire to nuclear blasts.
There are some animals that are natural born survivors
Amphibians
Explorers went into Peru’s remote highlands and found peculiar big-eyed creatures hiding in the mist
The team of researchers spent several years in the Andean mountains, where they made some amazing discoveries.
Puzzling sound leads Amazon expedition team to stunning discovery
Researchers were exploring the remote Juruá River Basin when a strange call caught their attention.
It breaks its own bones in the battle for a mate, can regenerate and is oddly hairy – meet this bizarre 'Wolverine'-like creature
Meet the amphibian with hair, claws and the ability to regenerate.
Animal ID
10 animals with the wrong names: Discover misleading monikers and curious cases of mistaken identity
Common names for animals are often easier to remember than their Latin names, but they can often lead to confusion. Here are 10 animals with some very misleading names.
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 identify animal droppings: Our guide to the wildlife poop you might find in your garden or out on a walk
Droppings or scats can tell us a lot about which animals have been visiting our gardens, parks and countryside, including hedgehogs, foxes and badgers. Our expert guide explains how to identify which poos belong to which species. Plus, animal droppings from species from around the world – and fungi and insects you might spot on droppings.
Birds
"Absolutely stunning": astonishing footage shows falcon attacking foxes in Los Angeles
A wildlife photographer has filmed the moment a peregrine falcon fiercely protects her chicks from red foxes.
The UK's biggest birding festival returns this summer – and BBC Wildlife will be there too
The UK's biggest birding festival returns to Rutland with talks, workshops and book signings
10 amazing Antarctic animals – including one with antifreeze blood and another with razor-sharp teeth to bite air holes in the ice
Discover the most remarkable, captivating wildlife that thrives in one of the least hospitable places on Earth – Antarctica
Fish
Cute and very shy yellow boxfish filmed pootling around a reef – and it has a friend
An underwater photographer was surprised to see the two timid creatures hanging out calmly together.
Meet nature's strangest strollers: The fish who use fins as feet to 'walk' on land
From the mountains of Venezuela to the mudflats of Japan, across the globe these amazing fish have evolved to walk across dry land
“We have an inherent fascination for apex predators”: Steve Backshall on why we need to rethink sharks – and how social media could help save them
Steve Backshall on why we need to stop thinking of sharks as creatures to fear, and why Steven Spielberg's Jaws has got a lot to answer for
Insects & Invertebrates
“Eradication would be almost impossible.” Killer Asian hornets are invading Britain but we’re keeping them at bay – for now
Asia’s yellow-legged hornet has a toehold in Britain but researchers are keeping the deadly insect from decimating native species – for now
The world's biggest slug is a forest beast the size of a frying pan – with an enormous appendage to match – and swings from trees to mate
This tree-climbing giant is one of the largest land slugs on Earth – and its bizarre mating ritual is unlike anything else in the natural world
“It really is astonishing": animal uses Milky Way to navigate 1,000km across Australia, say scientists
The Bogong moth uses the stars to find its way to a remote group of caves in the Australian Alps – new study,
Mammals
Fascinating facts about our warm blooded friends - the mammals.
Could rabies have entered Britain? Rabies-causing virus found in Isle of Wight animal
Isle of Wight bat displayed worrying symptoms
Researchers spent 455 days and nights watching orangutans sleep – what they observed was very human
The study revealed that, much like us, wild orangutans use power naps to recover from poor sleep.
Can wolves and foxes interbreed?
Although both are members of the 'dog family' it is unlikely foxes and wolves would ever interbreed. We investigate why...
Marine Animals
Scientists capture first-ever footage of killer whales making seaweed grooming 'tools'
Killer whales have been filmed using kelp to scratch each other — a behaviour that has never been documented before.
Astounding deep-sea 'galaxy' filmed off Californian coast
This galaxy siphonophore is a stunning colonial organism that glows as red as burning embers.
'Moonwalking' orca stuns onlookers in Canada. Experts know what it's doing
Moonwalking is a rare behaviour among transient killer whales and may be a way of dividing up food to share.
Reptiles
“Chicken is her favourite dish. If one clucks, she comes”: can anacondas, chickens and humans coexist in the Amazon?
A Q&A with researcher Dr Beatriz Cosendey on her recently published study exploring human-snake relationships in the várzea regions of the Lower Amazon River.
These 9 beautiful photos of sea turtles prove just how majestic (and fearless) these marine creatures can be
Flip out with these adorable photos to celebrate World Sea Turtle Day, a day that draws attention to the importance and beauty of these endangered animals
More than 100 swamp alligators caught in Georgia – something worrying has been found in their blood
The discovery raises concerns for US wildlife, waterways and human health, according to a new study.