Animal Facts
How do eels mate? Once believed to spontaneously spawn, here's how they do it
Uncovering the mating habits of eels was once a slippery endeavour, but scientists have made plenty of discoveries that reveal their secrets
Do butterflies sleep?
It might be something that many of us have never considered before, but do butterflies sleep? Well, Stuart Blackman, says, that depends on what you mean by 'sleep'
A long-lost sound has returned to the great mountains of Yosemite National Park
And it could have positive implications for wildlife around the world, say scientists.
Movember's wild side: 8 animals with a better moustache than yours
Check out these brilliantly bristly animals that use their moustaches and beards for all manner of tasks, from foraging for food on dark ocean floors to spreading scent to attract mates
The largest spawning event on Earth is about to happen - here's what it will look like
The astonishing wildlife spectacle takes place every year on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia – and it's utterly magical.
What's new?
Ultimate guide to wolves, a deadly apex predator: From Arctic hunters to forest stalkers, here's all you need to know about the dog's wild cousin
Both feared and revered, wolves play an important role as apex predators. In this guide, we take a look at their habitat, hunting techniques and more
"Large furry creature unlike anything else in the sea” filmed crawling along English beach
The strange-looking sea mouse washed ashore during a storm, say conservationists.
Two dogs were just sent to a remote archipelago on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean – with one vital job
They were there to help prevent an ecological disaster.
Ocean explorers just discovered these eerie underwater spiders doing something very disturbing
Related to both spiders and crabs, sea spiders suck up the insides of their prey “like sipping through a straw” – they also breathe through their legs, say scientists.
Chinstrap penguin guide: where they live, what they eat and key predators
A fascinating glimpse into the lives of animals that not only survive but flourish against the odds
Amphibians
“It underwent what we call miniaturisation”: bizarre new toad with missing body parts discovered in Brazilian rainforest
The newly described species of flea toad, found in the Atlantic Forest of São Paulo state, is the second smallest vertebrate in the world.
Strange 'Star Trek' sounds are echoing through Madagascar's remote rainforests. Scientists just found what's causing them
The otherworldly sounds are being made by an orchestra of little animals – all of which are new to science.
Toad vs frog: How to tell the difference between a common frog and a common toad
Two of the UK's most familiar and widespread amphibian species are the common frog and the common toad, but do you know how to tell them apart?
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 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.
How to identify wildlife paths and beds
Tall vegetation in midsummer makes it easy to spot the regular paths that wild animals take - and where they rested.
Birds
Why is bird poo white, rather than brown like most poop?
Just why is bird poo white? Mike Toms explains
10 reasons why you should never - EVER - date a birder
On paper a birder might sound like a great date, with a love of the natural world, but don't be deceived, says Dixe Wills, as all might not be as it seems...
“I was awestruck from the moment I first saw it to the moment I finished assembling the skull and brain”
Evolutionary biologists say a "one-of-a-kind" fossil discovered in Brazil could transform our understanding of how the unique intelligence of modern birds evolved.
Fish
Can fish drown?
Can fish drown? What about other species that spend their lives underwater? We explain the science of breathing underwater and what can go wrong
There's a shark rush hour? Yes - scientists reveal the secrets of the ocean's 'Shark Highway'
This rush hour is one you probably don't want to get stuck in
The largest dam-removal project in US history has finally been completed. Now something truly amazing is happening
Four dams were dismantled on the Klamath River – this remarkable video shows what happened when the final barrier fell...
Insects & Invertebrates
Meet the world's largest, deadliest bug that can suck the life out of fish many times its size - effectively turning its prey into one giant protein smoothie
All you need to know about the deadly giant water bug that attacks anything that moves - even humans, hence its nickname 'toe-biter'.
When arachnologists visited an old atomic bomb research site in England, they couldn't believe what they found
The British Arachnological Society recorded a remarkable 55 species of spiders among the abandoned buildings. But that wasn't all they discovered...
What dangles from its rear end needs some explaining. Why the Australian horror moth deserves its name
When it comes to wooing a female, size matters for this colourful moth
Mammals
Fascinating facts about our warm blooded friends - the mammals.
How do animals near the equator survive the tropics? The ingenious survival tactics rainforest creatures use, including homemade sunscreen.
Whether it's hot and humid or cold and dry, there are many challenging environments along the Equator. So how have animals adapted to it?
What is the biggest wolf in the world? Meet the deadly canine apex predator - as well as its domestic rivals
Wolves are one of the deadliest apex predators on earth. We take a look at the biggest wolf - and how do they compare to dogs?
All you need to know about chimpanzees - our closest relative - including where they live, what they eat, and how they use tools
Our expert guide to chimpanzees reveals the answers to the most common questions about one of our closest living relatives
Marine Animals
Watch ingenious 'crab-safe' car drive through millions-strong red crab migration on Christmas Island
The amazing video shows off wildlife photographer Chris Bray’s clever device for saving crabs from being crushed on the Australian island.
Why do crabs walk sideways? The surprising reason behind their quirky side-step
Marine biologist Matt Slater explains why walking sideways is the fastest option for crabs
This underwater robot just ran into something bizarre at the junction of three vast tectonic plates in the Pacific Ocean
What it found was literally dazzling...
Reptiles
Discover the world of the beautiful, yet much-feared, sea snake: do these venomous serpents deserve their deadly reputation?
All you ever needed to know about the much-feared sea snake
5 British dinosaurs you've (probably) never heard of
Professor Paul Barrett from the Natural History Museum, London, celebrates some of lesser known dinosaurs from the British Isles.