Animal Facts
Is this the world's biggest maternity ward? A gobsmacking 500,000 babies born at one time in one place...
Almost half a million wildebeest are born within a few weeks in the Serengeti
Masturbation in birds is “healthy, natural and widespread”, say scientists
The research challenges the widely-held belief that stress and captivity encourages the behaviour
A blood-sucking fly was driving this Galápagos bird to extinction. Then conservationists stepped in
The Critically Endangered Galápagos mangrove finch has had its most successful breeding season on record, with 25 fledglings recorded.
"It has a lethally large inner toe tipped by a deadly dagger-like claw..." 15 weirdest, strangest birds on the planet, including one that reeks of fresh cow manure
There are plenty of contenders for the weirdest bird list from the 'stinky' hoatzin to the strange-looking secretary bird. Here are our favourite weirdest birds
Scientists took water samples from a pier in California – and made a surprising discovery about a "ruthless predator"
Meet the predatory plankton that harpoons toxic plankton and glows like a broken nightlight.
What's new?
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?
“They live in paradise – there really is no need to leave.” There’s a temple in India where locals go to worship – alongside 20,000 rats
At a temple in Rajasthan, black rats are not pests but family, thriving in an ecosystem shaped by faith
A rare and mysterious creature has just been detected in a remote Kenyan forest. Here’s why experts are so excited
One of Africa’s rarest creatures is caught on a trail camera – hundreds of kilometres from where it was expected to be
Yapok, yak, yidiyidi ... 14 amazing animals beginning with 'Y ' including a very cute yellow squirrel and a fearsome yacaré caiman
Here are 14 animals starting with the letter 'Y', but which ones have we forgotten? Let us know
"Capable of striking fear into the heart of divers everywhere, it's as dangerous as it is beautiful..." 10 deadliest, most dangerous fish on the planet
Beyond the shark! We bring you a veritable who's who of the scariest fish species lurking in the deep (and not-so-deep) waters.
Amphibians
“This huge ‘cloud’ seemed to come out of nowhere. Suddenly frogs started to fall from the sky. I thought a plane carrying frogs had exploded..."
Which species are named after Sir David Attenborough? And how many of them are there?
Sir David Attenborough has over 50 species named after him, ranging from a prehistoric marine reptile to a native British flower only found in the Brecon Beacons of South Wales.
"With the flex of a muscle, it can produce an arsenal of sharp, curved claws that snap out of its toes like switchblades" 11 weirdest, bizarrest frogs on the planet
Discover the weird and wonderful oddballs from the world of frogs
Animal ID
Mountain chicken, guinea pig, honey bear, bearcat – 10 animals with completely the wrong names, 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.
A snake the weight of a grizzly bear and a giant centipede that hangs from cave ceilings – meet 11 of the Amazon's deadliest animals
From a huge carnivorous centipede to a tiny poisonous frog, here are some of the of the deadliest creatures in the Amazon.
It's sleek, black, incredibly beautiful and very fast – and is known as the 'cheetah of the deep sea' despite weighing over a tonne
Learn all about the unmistakable pilot whale, from their diet and size to life in the pod and why, sadly, they're prone to beaching
Birds
"While she is doing the needlework, the male brings the threads. Little by little she laces it up to form a cup using dozens of stitches."
The little bird that's a very adept seamstress
This elusive bird can be heard up to 5km away – and the sound it makes is extraordinary
The song of the male bittern – the king of the reedbed – sounds like a foghorn.
White-tailed eagle vs osprey: what's the difference between these two majestic, powerful birds of prey?
Although the osprey and white-tailed eagle look similar and are sometimes both called fish eagles, the two birds of prey are quite different, says Scottish Wildlife Trust ranger Sara Rasmussen
Fish
It's famous for its white sands, surf – and being the shark bite capital of the world...
Why are there so many shark bites in Volusia County, Florida? Here’s everything you need to know
“It was like an elephant’s trunk – 4 times its original size." This deadly sting causes pain, swelling, difficulty breathing and heart issues...
This fish disguises itself on the seabed to trick prey into coming close, then sucks them into its hungry mouth using a strong vacuum
"The pain is said to be excruciating and victims may also experience paralysis, difficulty breathing and cardiac arrest..."
This fish looks like an ugly, warty rock and spends much of its time sitting completely motionless. But touching its venomous spines by accident can be lethal
Insects & Invertebrates
"The real danger comes when they horrifyingly attach INSIDE your body..."
Leeches are famous for drinking blood – and being used in medicine. But can these slippery little vampires ever be deadly?
"As it lurks behind the trapdoor, a twitch on the trip wire alerts it that something tasty has just walked past..."
The master secret ambush predator, that spend most of their lives hidden beneath the soil, waiting to strike with lightning speed.
"The toady face is the spider’s backside..." Arachnophobes look away now as here are the 10 weirdest spiders in the world
Check out the weirdest spiders in the world, from the curiously-named 'happy-bum spider' to a fearsome species that eats its sexual partner
Mammals
Fascinating facts about our warm blooded friends - the mammals.
"One key thing to remember – it can run as fast as a racehorse..." 10 most dangerous animals you REALLY don't want to meet on a hike
From venomous predators to deceptively small killers, these animals can turn a peaceful hike into a life-threatening emergency
It can weigh a whopping 800kg and move at a rapid 40kph, but it's not the only giant out there... 7 biggest bears on the planet
The largest members of the bear family are fascinating for far more than just the size of their paws or the strength of their bite.
Are the any deadly big cats in the USA?
What wild cats roam the US? James Fair investigates
Marine Animals
It’s as long as a Ford Transit van – and has an elongated, odd-looking torpedo-shaped beak, perfect for grabbing slippery prey...
Meet the charismatic and colourful Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin
Each year, around 100 of the ocean’s deadliest predators gather off the coast of Australia. Scientists have now worked out why
Orcas are known for their teamwork and close-knit pods, but do they get together in greater numbers?
Seahorses were being pulled from Mozambique's ocean at an alarming rate. Then something incredible happened
A community-led initiative to transform poachers into protectors is turning the tide for seahorses in the waters off Mozambique
Reptiles
509 snakes captured in southeastern US. Many are carrying deadly infections
Research in Florida, South Carolina and Georgia suggests snakes could face catastrophe due to pathogen prevalence.
This venomous pit viper snake has been hiding a secret…
The Himalayan pit viper was first described in 1864, and until recently was believed to be one single, although widespread, species.
"An attack can be fatal, due to their venom and bacteria..." The 3 deadliest, most lethal lizards the planet
Lizards are armed with venom, muscle and a deadly bite. Meet some of the world’s most dangerous reptilian predators
