Freya Parr

Think you know fish? Think again. From farting herrons to maths geniuses, these underwater wonders continue to surprise us

Humans are famously drawn to alcohol for strengthening social bonds and feasting – and now new research shows that our chimpanzee relatives might be seeking it out for similar reasons

From colour-shifting squids to snow-white stoats, these are the awe-inspiring species that can change their appearance and colour

From chipmunks’ urine disguises to dolphins’ pee arcs, the animal kingdom has some surprisingly creative ways of using – and producing – pee

From cube-shaped droppings to carbon neutral ocean poos, here are some of the strangest, smelliest and most surprising facts about animal poo from around the globe

From explosive sea cucumbers to beetles that spray boiling toxic fluid from their bums, the world of wildlife is full of unexpected adaptations. These butts aren't just weird – they're life-saving

It’s not often a penguin gets a starring role in a hit film, but Steve Coogan’s The Penguin Lessons has ensured that the Magellanic penguin has landed the role of a lifetime

Striking images that show different species of octopus in new light, capturing their full, tentacled majesty

David Attenborough narrates this brilliant depiction of hermit crabs shopping for shells

These rodents might both have long tails, twitchy whiskers and possibly not a great reputation – but they are surprisingly different once you know what to look out for

On a budget? The latest advice from the Marine Conservation Society recommends some starting points for eating sustainable seafood – without it costing a fortune

They may look serene gliding across a lake, but swans are known to be fiercely protective. We explore whether Britain’s biggest bird really has the strength to snap a human arm...

From egg-laying echidnas to star-nosed moles, the animal kingdom is full of bizarre and fascinating mammals you may not believe exist

Despite their slightly bad press, rats are intelligent and fascinating creatures. From their super-sensitive whiskers to their surprising ability to laugh, there's plenty to admire about these impressive animals

The BBC's Natural History Unit has produced captured some of the most dazzling footage of wildlife from around the globe. We've chosen some of the best wildlife documentaries currently available to stream and catch up on BBC iPlayer

New research shows that chimpanzees are engineers, with an innate comprehension of material properties that help them choose the best tools for the job

Not all rodents are rats eating out of rubbish bins – these fascinating creatures from around the world show there's a lot more to rodents than meets the eye, from rainbow squirrels to prairie dogs

From cheetahs that can hit 94kmph to snow leopards that wrap their tails like scarves, the world of wild cats is full of unexpected quirks. Here are 10 facts about wild cats you (probably) won't know

Nature has a wild imagination, and nowhere is that more obvious than in the world of flowers. From leaves shaped like lips to enormous flowers that smell of rotting flesh, these are some of the weirdest, most unusual flowers in the world

An introduction to Steve Backshall, the star of Deadly 60 and The Really Wild Show, and the work he's done in wildlife conservation throughout his career

Fossils of plesiosaurs are discovered all over the world, but it’s extremely rare to find fossilised soft tissues

You might have an idea of what a fossil looks like – but these fossils are slightly different (and will change the way you think about ancient wildlife and civilisations!)