Leoma Williams
Animal behavior researcher and science writer
Leoma Williams is an animal behavior researcher and science writer. She is currently studying for a PhD at the University of Manchester, investigating the evolution of sociality in primates, with a focus on cooperation in monkeys and apes, as well as studying social birds such as ravens. In autumn 2019, she was an editorial intern at BBC Wildlife, writing news articles, fact-files, and quizzes for the website, as well as news articles for the magazine. She now writes periodically for both the website and print magazine, mostly as a frequent ‘ask an expert’ in the Q&A section, answering questions like “Can other animals lie?” and “Is trade unique to humans?”. She is interested in figuring out how animals think and interact, and what guides their behavior. In her spare time she can be found cooking, painting, and talking to her cat.
Recent articles by Leoma Williams
Would chimpanzees make good politicians?
12 weirdest body parts, including fake penises, creepy extra-long fingers – and a moth with an extraordinary 30cm long tongue...
To enhance their chances of survival - and attracting the opposite sex - evolution has helped animals develop some very strange body parts
10 smallest, tiniest birds in the world – including one that weighs just 1.95g
Birds vary enormously in size and shape. The ostrich can grow up to 9ft tall. But what about at the other end of the spectrum? Here are the world’s 10 very smallest birds.
10 biggest spiders in the world: Discover gigantic, terrifying arachnids as big as dinner plates
Meet the ten largest spiders in the world - you wouldn't want to see these scuttling across your carpet!
10 deadliest animals to humans: Discover nature’s top – most lethal – killers
Think you might know what the 10 deadliest animals might be? Our expert guide rounds up the animals causing the most number of human deaths per year – and some of them might just surprise you.
What are the most dangerous snakes in Australia? Discover the country's top 4 deadliest serpents
Learn about the potent venom of these dangerous reptiles, as well as habitats, and the risks they pose to humans.
10 cutest animals on the planet – including an adorable hippo, a loveable frog and the world's sweetest wild dog
What makes an animal cute? And what are the cutest animals in the world? Here is our top 10 - do you agree?
10 deadliest insects on the planet: Discover the world's most dangerous insects to humans, including one that's a major ingredient in 'love potions'
Small but deadly! From disease spreaders to stingers to voracious swarms, read all about the world’s most deadly and dangerous insects.
Headless animals? Oh yes... Discover 10 animals that can survive without their heads — at least for a while
Meet 10 persistent animals that don’t die right away when decapitated…
These 20 Pokémon creatures may look totally made up — but they actually inspired by real wild animals
Stars of the popular video game series appear to have been inspired by the natural world. Here are 20 Pokémon that share similarities with real creatures.
"In real life Nemo’s dad would become female (and might have even mated with his son) – Discover 10 animals that can amazingly change sex
Leoma Williams explores the sex-changing talents of 10 animals
From devil worms that live 2 miles underground to frogs that freeze solid: 10 amazing animals that are able to thrive in Earth's harshest conditions
Meet 10 masters of the extreme who can survive the harshest conditions on Earth
11 gruesome cannibal animals: Discover the surprising creatures that feast on their own kind
It may seem gruesome, but many animals have been recorded feeding on their own species. Here are 11 cannibalistic animals, including some that might surprise you.
15 weirdest birds on the planet: meet the strangest wonders of the avian world – including one that asks humans for help and another that smells like a cow
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
What do Sir Elton John, Barack Obama and Taylor Swift all have in common? From trapdoor spiders to coral-dwelling crustaceans, meet the 15 animals named after celebrities
One of the benefits of discovering a new species is the opportunity to name it, and many scientists have taken inspiration from popular culture. These are a few of our favourites.
10 most poisonous animals in the world, from frogs and toads to sharks – and even butterflies. Yes you heard that right...
From frogs and toads to butterflies and beetles, there is no shortage of toxicity in the animal kingdom. Read on to discover our list of poisonous animals - some you may know well, others may surprise you.
These are the best dinosaur documentaries to watch now
Dinosaur obsessed? Check out our guide of the best dinosaur documentaries out there and learn even more about these remarkable reptiles.
World's most venomous animals: 10 deadly creatures that pack quite a lethal punch
It's not just particular snakes and spiders you have to watch out for! Here are our top ten venomous animals, from surprising sea creatures to primates.
World's most venomous spiders: Are these 10 deadly spiders as fearsome as their reputation?
Here are the most venomous spiders in the world, but just how deadly are they really?
Forget Harry Potter these creatures have real invisibility cloaks: 10 weirdest invisible animals you can see right though
Nature's invisible act: here are 10 transparent animals who have mastered the art of transparency with their very own invisibility cloak
Loneliest animals on Earth: 10 heartbreaking tales of the individuals that were the last of their kind
Learn about the animals that were the very last of their kind
13 deadliest snakes: Meet the world's most venomous snakes whose lethal bites can kill a human...
Snake bites constitute a major cause of animal-related deaths, with the WHO describing it as a “a neglected public health issue”. Here is our list of the deadliest snakes with bites that can kill...
10 animals that can kill a lion
Although they are apex predators, lions do face threats from other animals. Here are 10 that are capable of killing lions.
From a chocolate chip sea star to a tomato frog (yes really!) here are 10 animals named after food
Evolution has produced some curious and comical-looking animals, including some that look uncannily like food! Here are some of our favourites, from a fried egg jelly fish to a chocolate chip sea star