Animal Facts
Southern rockhopper penguin guide: how to identify, what to eat and why they can jump
A look at the smallest penguin species...
Galápagos penguin guide: how to identify, what they eat and how they survive in the heat
Discover their unique characteristics and their role in the Galápagos ecosystem
Humboldt penguin guide: where they live, what they eat and how they got their name
Explore the lives of these fascinating creatures...
Little penguin guide: how to identify, what they eat and are they really nocturnal
These pint-sized birds are full of personality...
Macaroni penguin guide: how to identify, where they live and why are they endangered
From their breeding colonies to their feeding habits, learn everything you need to know about these adorable creatures.
What's new?
Moseley's (or northern) rockhopper penguin guide: how to identify, where they leave and what they eat
Distinguished by its vibrant yellow crest, this penguin is a small, agile bird that thrives on the rugged, rocky islands of the sub-Antarctic region.
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
"They're like the chicken nuggets of the forest." But these tasty lizards have an ingenious life-saving trick
The semi-aquatic lizards from southern Costa Rica use the special adaptation to avoid being eaten by birds, snakes and numerous other predators.
Meet the shy, but deadly, inland taipan snake who has enough venom in one bite to kill 100 adults
All you ever wanted to know about the venomous inland taipan, from diet and size to where they live and how they hunt
Why do male animals produce so much sperm and females so few eggs?
Stuart Blackman explains why there is so much more sperm than eggs...
Amphibians
These frogs glue themselves together when mating. But sometimes they get stuck in the wrong position...
How these rain frogs get stuck in when mating
Vibrant yet deadly: The fascinating world of poison dart frogs, one of the world's most poisonous animals
All you ever needed to know about poison dart frogs, from why they're poisonous to where they live and what they eat
This rare Indian tree frog has upside-down sex in dank holes – scientists have just figured out why
Of all 7,708 species of frogs known to science, the Charles Darwin’s frog – endemic to the Andaman Archipelago in the Indian Ocean – is the only one known to breed in this way, say scientists.
Animal ID
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.
How to identify baby birds
Identify common baby birds with this handy chart
Woodpeckers of the UK
Meet the four woodpecker species that can be found in the UK.
Birds
Bald eagles are dying in Upstate New York – and experts know why
Golden eagles, American crows and Virginia opossums are also being found dead in the hills and forests of the northeastern US state...
6 blood-sucking animals - that aren't insects
While insects are best-known for feeding on blood, there's actually a few more species that target this protein-rich liquid.
Weirdest birds: meet 14 strange and weird wonders of the avian world
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
Fish
Meet the eel that makes an astonishing 6,000 mile journey, from European rivers to the tropical Sargasso Sea - and back again
The incredible migrations of eels have long fascinated scientists. Phil Gates explores their epic journey and the reasons behind it
This blind, poop-eating cavefish from Mexico tastes with its head. Scientists just figured out why
The development of taste buds on the head and chin of the cavefish are the result of intense environmental pressures – and a penchant for bat poop – a new study has found.
How do 'flying fish' fly?
Just how do 'flying fish' appear to soar through the air? Helen Scales explains
Insects & Invertebrates
Terrifying tiny millipede fires menacing Velcro-like bristles from its butt at assailants
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.
Termites wear explosive 'backpacks' and blow themselves up to protect their colony
How a 'backpack' full of a toxic blue substance allows a termite to blow itself up, along with the threat, if its colony is threatened
Are these the weirdest eyes ever—and the biggest for their body size? Meet the bizarre stalk-eyed flies, nature's oddball insect
In the world of male stalk-eyed flies, size id everything when it comes to eyes says Nick Baker.
Mammals
Fascinating facts about our warm blooded friends - the mammals.
Thousands of endangered koalas are being put to death in Australia. Here's why
Populations of Queensland koalas are rapidly declining – why are so many being euthanised?
The UK has killed 230,000 badgers in the past decade. Here's why the cull is finally ending
Badger culling will end in England within five years, the Government says.
Mozambique's sea cows fitted with satellite tags in last-ditch effort to save them from extinction
Conservationists have successfully fitted dugongs in Mozambique’s Bazaruto Archipelago National Park with satellite-tracking tags to provide crucial information to help protect the Critically Endangered marine mammals’ future.
Marine Animals
Dolphin vs shark: what's the difference between these charismatic ocean dwellers?
What's the difference between a shark and a dolphin? The experts at Whale and Dolphin Conservation explains what makes a dolphin a dolphin and a shark a shark
11 deadliest sea creatures: Meet the most dangerous animals in the ocean
Sharks aren’t the only danger in the ocean. Here are our top 10 most deadly sea creatures, from those that sting to those that bite
Why don’t deep-sea animals implode? Here's how they survive extreme pressures at the bottom of the ocean
Just how do deep-sea fish avoid imploding? Dr Helen Scales explains
Reptiles
How do snakes move? Despite having no legs snakes are amazingly agile
They might lack arms and legs, but snakes are surprisingly mobile.
"We chop toads in half and hang them over the river." The strange experiment that's saving crocodiles in Australia
Scientists are using a method known as ‘conditioned taste aversion’ to stop freshwater crocodiles from eating toxic cane toads in north-west Australia.
Can a boa constrictor attack a human? All you need to know about these awesome serpents, including how they kill and eat large prey
Learn all about the boa constrictor in our expert guide, including where they live and how much they weigh