Stuart Blackman
Recent articles by Stuart Blackman
Why are snails so slow?
Snails aren't built for speed – that much is obvious. But why are they so slow? Stuart Blackman takes a look.
Why do ostriches have two knees?
Stuart Blackman explains why an ostrich's legs look so strange
Why are animals black and white?
From puffins to zebras, there are plenty of monochrome animals. But why are they black and white?
Why was New Zealand once free of land mammals?
Many of New Zealand's native species are endemic – but they are often birds, reptiles and marine life. So why does New Zealand have so few mammals?
Do you know your Zygomorphic from your Anthropocene? No? Then you need our scientific and biological terms glossary
Have you ever puzzled over the meaning of a particular wildlife word or phrase? Then puzzle no more! From the 'Fraser Darling effect' to the 'K-T Boundary', our glossary provides the explanation – in plain, simple English.
Is it just humans that blush?
Science writer Stuart Blackman discusses the unique expression of blushing.
Do animals get Alzheimer’s?
Though principally a human disease, there are signs cetaceans can suffer a similar condition
Can animals catch yawns off humans? And why on Earth do we yawn anyway?
Although it might not be exactly clear why humans and animals yawn, the contagiousness of yawns is undoubtable – but how does it work in the animal kingdom?
Does anything live at the top of Mount Everest?
Despite being one of the most extreme places on Earth, many people have ventured to the summit of Mount Everest. But has anything been discovered there?
"Females should prefer to mate with older males because they work harder and care less about infidelity."
Being a good father is not easy for male burrowing beetles
What actually is the twilight zone? And why is it called that?
You've probably heard of the twilight zone – but what actually is it?
Weirdest plants in the world: Discover 9 of the planet's wackiest flora
Meet some of the weirdest and oddest plants on Earth.
This tiny, solitary bear can mimic facial expressions like humans – wait, what?
The skill of facial mimicry does not lie solely with primates says Stuart Blackman
Which dinosaur had the most teeth? It's definitely not the one you're thinking of...
Ever wondered which dinosaur had the most teeth? It probably isn't like anything you're thinking of, as Stuart Blackman explains.
David Attenborough laughing at the noisiest plant in the world might be the most joyful thing you'll watch today
The noisiest plant in the world is actually quite amusing, as this BBC video with David Attenborough proves.
Do any other animals get morning sickness?
Do any other animals suffer from morning sickness, or is it a uniquely human trait?
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?
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.
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.
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?
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?
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...
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.
Do animals get Down’s syndrome?
Ever wondered whether other animals (apart from humans) get Down's syndrome? Stuart Blackman takes a look.