Author Stuart Blackman

Stuart Blackman

Recent articles by Stuart Blackman

Do any other animals get morning sickness?

Do any other animals suffer from morning sickness, or is it a uniquely human trait?
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Why do snakes slough their skin?

You might have seen a ghostly snake skin left behind on a walk – but have you ever wondered how snakes shed them?
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How do birds fly in a V formation – without colliding?

Why do birds fly in a V formation - and how do they stay in one? Stuart Blackman explains the secrets of flight.
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What's the largest snail in the world? One mighty contender is over a metre long and weighs as much as a small child

Ever wondered what the largest snail is? We take a look at the record-breaking answer.
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Are blubber and fat the same thing? Why blubber is always fat, but fat isn’t always blubber

We take a look at blubber – what is its purpose and why don't you see any furry marine animals?
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What's the most remote place on Earth?

With swathes of rainforests, glaciers and deep oceans to choose from, where is the most remote place in the world?
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There's an adorable animal in Australia that looks like it's wearing striped pyjamas – but its cuteness conceals a toxic weapon

Yes this is a real animal - be it a rather sleepy and weird one...
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Could a hyena take on a lion? Nail-biting video shows close and fiercely-fought battle between these carnivorous predators

Hyenas are known for their scavenging nature – but could they take on and kill a lion if desperate? Evidence shows it's a fiercely-fought battle.
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Do animals get Down’s syndrome?

Ever wondered whether other animals (apart from humans) get Down's syndrome? Stuart Blackman takes a look.
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Real-life horror: How a scientist's harrowing death-by-snake in the 1950s inspired the movie 'Killer Shrews'

Karl P Schmidt documented his harrowing symptoms from a deadly snake bite as his condition deteriorated
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Weirdest fish: 16 of the strangest fish in the world, including one that can incredibly live out of water for more than two months

Our seas are brimming with strange and wonderful creatures. Meet 13 of the weirdest fish in the world, which sport everything from super-long noses to golfball heads
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Fraud, thief, cold-blooded killer: Why the famous naturalist and British spy who inspired James Bond was not all he seemed

Discover the man who lied and cheated his way to birding fame
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How fast are bears?

Think you can outrun a bear? Find out how fast bears can run, and how that compares to humans.
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Who first realised the Earth was very, very old?

How the father of geology - and biology - James Hutton challenged 18th century beliefs
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How do crocodiles mate? At times tender, communal, or even not at all – here’s a guide to crocodile sex

Ever wondered how crocodiles mate? Stuart Blackman explains their unique mating rituals – as well as an astonishing virgin birth.
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Has Antarctica ever been ice-free? Why the coldest place on Earth hasn't always been blanketed by snow

It's the coldest place on Earth and one of the most hostile continents for wildlife, but has Antartica always been covered in ice?
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How do animals make silk? And why is it so strong?

Ever wondered how a spider spins its web, or a caterpillar creates a cocoon? We explain how silk is made
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How is a queen bee chosen? And how are they different from worker bees?

A beehive and its worker bees revolve around its queen – but are queen bees made, or born?
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Why aren’t pterosaurs classed as dinosaurs? Why this Jurassic Park star isn’t what it seems

Despite popular belief, these 'flying dinosaurs' aren't actually dinosaurs at all. Stuart Blackman explains why.
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Do penguins really ‘propose’ with pebbles?

Is it true that penguins exchange stones as marriage proposals? Stuart Blackman investigates the popular belief.
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What is the slowest animal?

Stuart Blackman takes a look at the contenders for the slowest animal in the world and just how fast snails actually are
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Weirdest sea creatures - meet 15 strange ocean animals, including one that looks a bit like a toast rack

Have you heard of the Johnson's abyssal seadevil? Read about this strange ocean animal and more in our guide to the world's weirdest sea creatures
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How does the deadly Venus flytrap snare – and dissolve – its prey?

Once this plant's trap doors close there's no chance of escape...
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Which mammal holds its breath the longest? Meet the extreme deep-sea diver that can hold its breath for almost 4 hours

The average human can hold their breath for between 30 to 90 seconds – but what mammal holds its breath for the longest, and for how long?
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