JV Chamary
Science communicator
JV Chamary is an award-winning journalist with a PhD in evolutionary biology. He writes 'The Big Question' column for BBC Wildlife and specialises in explaining scientific concepts that appear in popular culture and covers health, nature and technology for Forbes. JV is the author of 50 Biology Ideas You Really Need to Know and was previously the features editor of BBC Science Focus magazine, writing about everything from gay genes and internet memes to the science of death and origin of life. Before switching to journalism and communication, he studied biology at Imperial College London and did his doctorate in molecular evolution and genetics at the University of Bath. His parents are from Mauritius, once home to the iconic Dodo bird. JV spends most of his spare time practising martial arts and lives in Bristol with two humans and one dog.
Recent articles by JV Chamary
Could any animals live on other planets?
Could any animals live on other planets? JV Chamary investigates
The secrets of metamorphosis revealed: The fascinating reasons behind why some animals transform and others stay the same
Why does metamorphosis occur in some animals and not others? Evolutionary biologist and BBC Wildlife columnist JV Chamary explains the process of metamorphosis
Why are nature's deadliest poisons so lethal?We explain the difference between venoms and toxins - and why some are so severe they kill
The words toxin and venom are often used interchangeably, but actually mean two different things says JV Chamary explains
How do birds, mammals and other animals navigate? Discover the incredible ways animals find their way around the world
From homing pigeons to the great migrations of monarch butterflies, when it comes to finding their way home, or to breeding or feeding grounds, animals use a variety of techniques. But what is the science behind animal navigation?
Dinosaur teeth: what were they like, how ferocious were they - and what do they tell us about a dinosaur's diet?
Dinosaur teeth come in all sorts of sizes, shapes - and sharpness - and can tell us a lot about what they ate
Were dinosaurs good parents - and how on earth do we know?
Did dinosaurs look after their young - or were they terrible parents? We take a look at the evidence
Monotremes: meet nature’s oddballs that bridge the evolutionary gap between mammals and reptiles
All you need to know about monotremes, weird egg-laying mammals
Do we know what dinosaurs sounded like?
Do we know what dinosaurs sounded like? A few, says JV Chamary
Dinosaur sex: how these huge animals mated with all those dangerous spikes, claws and plates
Wondering how dinosaurs mated? With difficulty, says JV Chamary.
Could any dinosaurs fly? Probably fewer than you think...
There were probably only a few dinosaurs that could actually fly, says JV Chamary
A real Jurassic Park could be possible. Here's the science of how to make it
Could a ‘Jurassic Park’ ever work? JV Chamary takes a look
Unveiling the secrets of cloning: How does cloning work, are clones exact copies and what will the future hold?
All you need to know about cloning - but were afraid to ask
How big (or small) could animals get? Uncover nature's limiting factors
We take a look at what defines size
What is the slimiest animal? Discover a terrifying animal of the deep that will give you nightmares
Death by slime. JV Chamary introduces us to the slimiest animal in the world who can use its slime to carry out deadly actions
Mucus and slime: Is there a difference and why the natural world can't get enough of the lovely gunk
It's time to talk about mucus and slime - lovely stuff! JV Chamary explains all you need to know - but were afraid to ask...
What is biodiversity and why is it so important? All you need to know about biodiversity, including how it's measured
JV Chamary explains all you need to know about biodiversity, from what it actually means to how it is measured and why it's important
Thermoregulation: What's the difference between cold-blooded and warm-blooded animals?
JV Chamary explains all you need to know about thermoregulation and the differences between cold-blooded animals and warm-blooded ones
Do eggs really need sperm?
Discover the intricate relationship between eggs and sperm.
What is a ruminant?
Most of us know cattle have rather a sophisticated digestive system that involves a stomach with four parts, but did you know they aren't the only ruminant - and some wild animals are ruminants too? JV Chamary explains what makes them special
All your blood questions answered, from why is it red to do all animals have blood? The answer is no...
What is blood? Why is blood red? Why is it so important? Do all animals have blood? JV explains all you need to know about blood
Speciation: what a species is, how new species form - and why deciding if a species is a new species can be complicated...
Planet Earth is filled with millions of animal, plant, fungi and bacteria species – but how do new species come about? Evolutionary biologist JV Chamary explains.
Algae: What it is, why algae blooms can be toxic and how it differs to plants
All you need to know about algae, from what it is to why algae blooms are toxic
Autotomy explained: how and why some animals shed body parts so they can grow a replacement
Just how are some animals able to regrow lost limbs and other body parts?
What is sleep and why do animals need to sleep?
JV Chamary explores the mysteries of sleep, from why we need it to whether animals dream or not...