In the 1990s, scientists dug up a 500,000-year-old tool in England. They just figured out what it is
The discovery of a prehistoric hammer made from elephant bone in southern England is rewriting what we thought we knew about our ancient ancestors…
“The koala is beloved around the world. You’d think that its future would be secure.” Why protecting the Australian icon is a massive headache for conservationists
Koalas, a much-loved icon, are both endangered and abundant in Australia. We look at the big picture across an even bigger country
This crazy animal looks like a cross between a porcupine, hedgehog and a bee – meet one of Madagascar's weirdest animals
What on earth is this spiky creature?
See wildlife without distraction: why you should consider solo travel in 2026
Save big on unforgettable trips
"It expels its entire internal organs out of its anus" 11 disgusting animals that cause our stomachs to churn and us to go 'eew'
From a frog who gives birth to froglets through its skin to chicks who vomit over potential predators Sheena Harvey takes a look at nature's most disgusting animals
Its back looks like a creepy human face, complete with enormous cartoon eyebrows
Viewed from above, the slipper lobster reveals an unexpected face — armoured, grinning, and faintly unsettling.
Gigantic 10ft-wide raptors released in Patagonian mountains
The Andean condor is the largest raptor in the world and can live for up to 70 years.
“It seemed like a matter of urgency – who knew if these sounds would be accessible to me if I put things off for another year?”
Progressive hearing loss prompted a memorable quest to absorb nature’s calls and choruses
“It’s a disease superhighway.” The shocking new ecosystem that’s evolving in our oceans
A unique synthetic ecosystem is evolving in our oceans – welcome to the plastisphere
“Hostage-takers, toxic manipulators and thieves”: the surprisingly sinister truth about animals that live together
Our survival depends on species evolving to live together – but some relationships take dark turns
Birds
“Imagine committing fratricide before you can walk.” This parasitic birds lays its eggs in the nests of other species
Does a cuckoo know it's a cuckoo? The answer is more difficult than you might think, explains Richard Pallardy
It’s the most numerous bird on Antarctica and charges at predators with flailing flippers – but what species is this cutie?
How big are Adélie penguins? What do they eat? Learn all about these charismatic birds in our expert guide.
Why is a group of crows called a murder?
Wondered why a group of crows earned the rather dark title of 'a murder of crows'? Mike Toms explains how this strange collective noun came about
It once numbered in the millions and even blocked out the sun – so why did the passenger pigeon suddenly become extinct?
All you need to know about the passenger pigeon, including why this once abundant bird went extinct
Researchers strapped cameras to penguins in Antarctica and followed them into the deep. What they filmed is incredible
Scientists put tiny cameras on penguins’ backs in efforts to gather evidence to support new marine protected areas in Antarctica.
Firestarter: They set the land ablaze from the sky – and then wait for their prey to run
Feathered arsonists spread fire to fill their bellies
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
Save 30% when you subscribe to BBC Wildlife Magazine, plus receive Simon Barnes’ latest release, Spring is the Only Season
Save 30% when you subscribe to BBC Wildlife Magazine, plus receive Simon Barnes’ latest release, Spring is the Only Season
Plants
"Ingestion can lead to liver failure, kidney failure, encephalopathy, and death" – 10 deadliest poisons found in nature
The natural world has produced some of the most potent poisons known to science. Here are some of the deadliest to humans
This ancient plant helped scientists solve a homicide investigation. This is how
A team of researchers have demonstrated how moss can act as a forensic ‘fingerprint’ when confirming details about a crime
"Poisoning causes lung collapse, brain haemorrhage and death" – discover the world’s 10 most poisonous, deadliest plants
There is an incredible number of dangerous and deadly plants around the world. here are just 10, including some with the ability to kill
A zombie spider-killing fungus and a bloodstained orchid: Kew Gardens reveals the strangest plants new to science in 2025
Kew Gardens has revealed the most bizarre plant and fungi discoveries new to science in 2025 – but some are already nearly extinct.