
Scientists took soil samples from a forest and tested them for microplastics. What they found was disturbing
Researchers have discovered that tiny bits of plastic are raining down onto forests – embedding themselves within the ecosystem

David Attenborough turns his attention to Britain’s backyards and the spectacular wildlife found there in new BBC TV series
In an upcoming TV series for the BBC, David Attenborough is looking at the incredible wildlife found across Britain’s gardens

Scientists tracked 39 polar bears and 26 seals through the Arctic wilderness. What they discovered is important
The researchers wanted to learn more about how climate change is reshaping Arctic food webs.

Three wildlife tours that can help protect fragile ecosystems — and bring you face-to-face with incredible species
Tailor your next wildlife trip to help affect change

Biologists stuck a camera on a sea turtle – and it filmed this
TurtleCams are helping marine researchers learn more about the lives of sea turtles as they cruise through our seas.

'As we approached the overhang, we spotted it – a bizarre creature with a fleshy beard lurking in the shadows'
Wobbegong sharks are ambush predators, hiding in reefs waiting for their prey to swim close enough. But they're very hard to find, says Melissa Hobson, who was lucky enough to spot one on a recent dive in Indonesia.

"Their real super-power is their ability to shoot blood from their eyes." The 23 weirdest, strangest animals on the planet - including the striped pyjama squid
Often it is the cute and cuddly animals that get the most attention, but let's spare some time and love for the freaks and oddballs of the natural world! Meet our 18 weirdest animals

Snoozing polar bears among 5 stunning images from Wildlife Photographer of the Year People's Choice Award
Wildlife Photographer of the Year Nuveen People’s Choice Award winners announced, featuring sleepy polar bears, graceful flamingos and a very playful lynx.

“Complete intoxication.” Lemurs in Madagascar are licking millipedes – and it’s sending them into a “trancelike state”
To protect themselves from malaria-carrying mosquitoes, some lemurs in Madagascar are turning to poisonous insects – with unusual side effects

When scientists descended into an unexplored cave in the Cambodian mountains, they found a “treasure trove” in the darkness
A team of researchers discovered species new to science, as well as threatened wildlife, in these vast underground habitats

Birds

“At the height of the breeding season, the males perform this routine in sessions lasting three or four hours.”
The courtship displays of this game bird bring a flurry of flamboyance to its monotonous prairie home

Ginormous king penguin colony filmed on remote Atlantic island. The sound of it is ear-splitting
Listen to the remarkable sound of thousands of penguins calling to each other in South Georgia.

"It has huge back legs armed with dagger-like claws that can reach 12cm long." 10 bonkers birds that break the rules of nature
Discover the extraordinary birds that defy nature’s norms.

“Viewers have been absolutely hooked.” Over 100,000 tune in to watch rare New Zealand parrot raising her chicks
Reality TV meets conservation – Kākāpō Cam is the most heartwarming thing you'll see all day.

It weighs as much as a piano and is nearly as tall as a basketball hoop: The 10 biggest, heaviest birds on the planet
You wouldn’t want to find these beasts at your bird feeder…

It builds skyscraper cities full of cosy, egg-shaped hammocks 30 metres above the ground
If Coco Chanel gave the common blackbird a makeover, the result would be the oropendola. With a minimalist colour palette and an occasional pop of colour, these mid-sized birds ooze chic simplicity.
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

Stunning wildflower 'superbloom' sweeps through Death Valley. It's the best display in a decade
The hottest place on the planet has transformed into a sea of colour, as desert gold and notch-leaf phacelia flowers fill the valley floor.

Do plants sleep?
When the sun goes down, some flowers appear to tuck themselves in for the night.
But this curious habit is actually driven by a fascinating piece of plant science.

“These beacons of light in the mud do so much more than promise us brighter days ahead.”
The first signs of spring aren’t just beautiful – they’re essential to awakening wildlife, too

It's as big as a tractor tyre and smells like a rotting corpse
Why the biggest flower in the world is also the smelliest...
