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Can a human outrun a bear?
Only a muppet would try and outrun a bear, says Helen Pilcher. Here's why...
"There we were, being ambushed by a probably very hungry polar bear, in a boat with no engine and no means of protecting ourselves..."
Documentary cinematographer Jamie McPherson recalls his terrifying encounter with a polar bear in the Arctic wilderness.
"Its lethal toxins rapidly interfere with nerve function, locking muscles & shutting down vital processes." Despite its beauty it's one deadly shell
Is this the world’s deadliest beach souvenir?
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“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.
"Imagine if you had a leg amputated that then hopped off to lead a life of its own as a zombie?"
When it comes to animal talents this is one of the strangest...
"100,000 individuals can make up a single raft..." 10 gobsmacking, bizarre, animal-made structures. You won't believe number 8 can float...
We’re not the only animals capable of impressive feats of engineering…
This gigantic tusk and more than 70 bones were dug up at a construction site in Germany. Here's why the discovery is so exceptional
After several years of detailed study, scientists from Germany have cracked a cold case that has been on ice since the Last Glacial Maximum.
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.
"It can run across water at speeds of 5 feet per second. That's pretty nippy..." 9 weirdest reptiles in the world, including a devil with two heads
Discover the world's weirdest and wackiest reptiles
“I can barely believe that such an eerie sound could be created by an animal.” Tourists armed with tech are heading into the Amazon – to save monkeys
In Peru’s rainforests, primate conservation is striking a new chord, with citizen scientists playing a significant part as sound engineers
It’s the size of Hong Kong and contains the highest mountain on Earth – and it’s home to a mighty carnivore
Sagarmatha National Park in Nepal is home to some of the planet's hardiest animals – from woolly hares and red pandas to high-flying geese and stalking snow leopards.
"A scale that has never been documented before in Greece." Falcon snatches 8 bats from the air in just 30 minutes
Bat predation by Eurasian hobbies has only been recorded a handful of times, making the sighting particularly significant.
Biggest scorpion to ever live revealed from 415-million-year-old fossils. It was 1m long and had pincers larger than table knives
These UK fossils have puzzled palaeontologists for more than a century. Now they’ve been re-examined and identified as an ancient scorpion that was larger than a cat
“It carefully measures insect body parts for size, chewing down the ones that don’t fit...” This carnivore decorates its home in bones of its prey
Most caterpillars are herbivorous and spend their lives munching on leaves and vegetation. But not this one – this one is a predator.
“A deeper genetic mystery.” This spider sports a smiley face – and scientists just discovered a new species of it
The happy-face spider was thought to be unique to Hawaii – until now.
"Baby monkeys are traumatically taken from their mothers and kept in poor conditions." Why is there a growing demand for primates as pets?
The trafficking of wild-caught animals for the pet trade is a huge global business
7 animals you simply have to see in New York's Central Park
In the heart of New York City, Central Park plays host to more than just joggers and tourists. These surprising animals are found living among its lakes, woods and meadows
"It has webbed feet, a powerful rudder-like tail and a water-resistant coat." 7 wild cats that are incredible swimmers, with 1 underwater specialist
You might think cats hate water – but in the wild, many feline species take to it with surprising ease. Meet the cats that dive, paddle and wade like pros
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?
“That innocent question hit me like a lightning bolt." Scientist's two-year-old son inspires discovery of new type of worker honeybee
Secrets of the hive unlocked thanks to child’s question.
This cave lion was unearthed from Siberian permafrost. Scientists analysed its DNA – and made an unexpected discovery
It turns out there’s a lot more to extinct cave lions than scientists first thought…
An extensive list of best nature documentaries to watch, from the iconic Life on Earth to new releases
Find the best nature documentaries of all time to stream from the comfort of home with our ultimate TV guide. Plus, where to buy the accompanying books and DVDs.
"That’s the length of a double decker bus!" 10 metre monster tops biggest snakes in the world list
Discover the biggest snakes in the world including the reticulated python and green anaconda
Puffins vs hedgehogs: The 18 animals that could feature on UK banknotes – and the public can now vote
The Bank of England has released a shortlist of creatures that could feature on the next round of banknotes
