‘Millions of trees and shrubs have been planted.’ Epic projects are underway to ‘regreen’ Earth’s deserts
Is there a way to regreen the world's deserts?
The half-wild pet cat that can cost £20,000, is better at killing than lions, and is often accused of terrorising neighbourhood pets
Semi-wild savannah cats are increasing in popularity in the UK, but do they make sensible pets? Charlotte Corney investigates
"Its rear end's equipped with 2 tufts of bristles, each shaped like a grappling hook." The butt that's armed with menacing weapons ready to fire
With its unique, Velcro-like bristles that cling to predators, the tiny Porcupine-Velcro Millipede (Polyxenus fasciculatus) is a master of self-defence in the insect world.
This lethal, hairy assassin has a 7cm leg span and is capable of snatching small fish from the water
The raft spider is one of Britain’s biggest arachnids.
“They simply moved in.” Thousands of tiny falcons are taking over this ancient Italian city
Thousands of lesser kestrels have been living in and around the ancient Italian city of Matera for centuries
It’s the fastest animal on Earth and ruthlessly kills prey in mid-air – and it’s taking over London’s skyscrapers
The fastest animal on Earth is proliferating
among the skyscrapers of central London
“They produce 7 tonnes of guano – nightly”: Romans in biohazard suits are facing a relentless rain of oily poop. Here’s what’s going on
Millions of starlings descend upon Rome every year, creating spectacular murmurations – and a mess
“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
“A smaller crab will be swallowed whole – a bigger one will be torn apart”
In footage captured for the BBC’s Blue Planet II, shore crabs face waters riddled with deadly predators
“They stick out like a sore thumb.” This clown-like bird has really weird feet – and here’s why
There’s a lot more to these quirky seabirds than their eye-catching limbs
Birds
Everything you need to know about kingfishers
All you need to know about the common kingfisher
70 nesting adults per square metre of cliff face – this is probably the highest nesting density of any bird in the world
Early summer is a busy time of year for Britain's seabirds, as they crowd on coastal cliffs and islands to rear their young.
Who was 'Mike the Headless Chicken' – and just how long did he live without a head?
Ellen Husain recounts the story of 'Miracle Mike the Headless Chicken'
“They're equipped with 15cm claws, can run at speeds of 50kph, clear 2m when jumping and deliver a mean kick – just how worried should I be?”
Deep in the heart of a rainforest in Queensland, Stuart Portugal's childhood dream of encountering a cassowary in the wild could become a reality. But despite being one of the world’s tallest species of bird, catching a glimpse of this elusive creature is easier said than done.
This iconic New York landmark is becoming a magnet – not just for tourists, but birds
Does anything live on the Statue of Liberty – and Ellis Island?
In an Australian city, birds are collecting handcuffs, medicine jars and banknotes. This is why
A new study in Queensland reveals that city-dwelling male great bowerbirds are using human items to impress females.
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
Fungi vs plants: what’s the difference?
Fungi were grouped with plants by early taxonomists. While the two kingdoms share some superficial similarities, modern analysis has shown them to be incredibly different.
“Untreated, the progression is grim: nausea and vomiting give way to cardiac arrest. Death can come within an hour.”
It bears white flowers and green fruit – but hidden inside its seeds is a potent cardiac poison called cerberin.
This may be the most photographed tree on the planet. Here's how it got so famous
The Wānaka Tree, rising from the shallow waters of Lake Wānaka in New Zealand, is a must-photograph for many nature-lovers. But why?
“It’s like being electrocuted and set on fire at the same time…” Discover one of the world's most dangerous trees
This tree is considered one of the world’s most venomous plants, and its painful effects can last for years.
