Wait there's wild hamsters? Oh yes – and they're fuzzy, feisty, and just as cute and podgy as your childhood pet, just 4 times the size
Europe's wild hamsters are feisty giants with a predatory streak, but under threat, says Mark Stratton
“It’s an undeniably primal thrill.” How ‘noctourism’ is transforming wildlife travel
Noctourism reveals wildlife’s secret rhythms while boosting vital conservation efforts
Which insect can be crowned the UK's largest? There's one that's an impressive 12cm long
The charity Buglife takes a look at the contenders for the UK's biggest insects
Inside the world's most otherworldly wildlife destinations
A mother's love: 13 beautifully intimate photos that capture the loveable and unbreakable bond between a leopard mother and her adorable cubs
Leopard mothers with young cubs are notoriously elusive, but one female in a quiet corner of Botswana has allowed wildlife photographer Suzi Eszterhas a privileged view into family life. Leopards, it seems, can change their spots.
“The tiny turtles’ perilous haul is akin to a marathon across the world’s most dangerous obstacle course.”
Thousands of turtles emerge from the ocean to lay their eggs – but only a handful of hatchlings will make it
"Seeing them walk free was incredibly rewarding": 50 giant tortoises released on island in the Seychelles
The new castaways will help rewild the exclusive tropical island.
From caimans in Brazil to leopards in Zambia: 10 awe-inspiring noctourism destinations for wildlife lovers
Head out after dark for some incredible wildlife spectacles – here are just some of the best locations to add to your travel bucket list
Anti-poaching rangers, woodland fire fighters, marine biologists – these are the 8 most dangerous, life-threatening wildlife jobs on the planet
From firefighting in wildlife reserves to tracking poachers in remote jungles, these wildlife jobs are some of the most dangerous in the world – but also among the most vital
Puma DNA found deep in Guatemalan rainforest. Analysis reveals the cats are eating something unexpected
Researchers also gathered DNA from jaguars, ocelots and margays, discovering the measures these wild cats go to in order to live side by side.
Birds
“I watch as a hissing, jostling scrum of over 60 vultures tears into the remains of a zebra foal”
Raptors have declined across Africa, but a new effort to safeguard them is underway
Why don't birds have weapons, like many other animals? Apart from lethal beaks and claws that is...
When it comes to fighting birds are ill-equipped compared to other animals
It's called a wader but doesn't wade – and doesn't like to fly either. Discover the bird that's regarded as something of an oddity
The non-wading woodland wader...
“These parrot apartment blocks can be the size of a small car” – and they’re causing chaos in a city near you
The monk parakeet has been a colourful, not to mention noisy, addition to the cityscapes of Madrid
How do diving gannets avoid breaking their necks when entering the water at speeds of nearly 100 km/h?
The sight of gannets diving into water for their prey is impressive to behold, but how do they avoid breaking their necks at such a high speed?
Dove vs pigeon: one gets bad rep, while the other is a symbol of peace – but what is the difference between these two similar-looking birds?
What's the difference between pigeons and doves? Are doves and pigeons the same bird? Tom Hibbert from The Wildlife Trusts takes a look
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
Is this very ordinary plant a secret, yet deadly, meat eater?
The thistle that has a taste for meat
It has bizarre tentacles, oozes yucky black goo and stinks of death – and could be near you right now
The octopus stinkhorn, also known as devil's fingers, is a type of fungus that grows from egg-like spores
A team of scientists spent 4 years studying savannah grasses that had been set on fire – and discovered something astonishing
Researchers from the University of Fort Hare wanted to discover the long-term effects frequent wildfires have on burnt grasses
This is the rarest colour in nature – an expert explains why
The natural world is full of colour – but some are more common than others. So what's the rarest hue?