Astonishing power and resilience of hippos revealed in 16 incredible photos
Dramatic images of hippopotamuses – from the muddy banks of the Luangwa River in Zambia to Botswana's vast Okavango Delta.
Giraffes have ridiculously high blood pressure – much higher than humans. So why doesn’t it kill them?
Giraffes have incredibly long necks, but their lanky legs also have an important function
A gobsmacking 106 metre square spider's web, a bee bigger than your thumb, a speedy shark that can swim at 70km/h – meet 20 amazing animal record breakers
We all love a fantastic record breaker – whether it’s the fastest shark, the hairiest mammal or the loudest animal. Meet the impressive record-breaking members of the animal kingdom.
This unusual Asian gem is this summer's must-visit destination for elusive wildlife
See it before everyone else
They're older than dinosaurs, look a bit like aliens and eat almost anything they can find – and scientists just found them in Colombian waters
These researchers captured photos that wouldn’t look out of place in an art gallery and used them to confirm new species of comb jellies never recorded in Colombia before.
“I had to walk slowly to minimise the flow of blood and the subsequent venom travelling through my body.”
Wildlife photographer Louis Guillot talks spider bites, ant stings and flash-flood drama
“This one day, we saw something darker.” Diver films "unbelievable" animal attack in Mexico
When this ocean filmmaker visited a sea lion colony in La Paz, this was the last thing he expected to see.
It's nearly a gigantic one metre long and weighs the same as a three-year-old child – now that's one big snail...!
Ever wondered what the largest snail is? We take a look at the record-breaking answer.
It floats, it's larger than a dinner plate and it's made up of more than 100,000 individuals
If you saw this circular raft floating down a river you’d be forgiven for thinking it was a discarded deep-dish pizza…
This haunting sound was captured near Bermuda in 1949. It's the oldest known whale song recording
Archivists at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution have uncovered the earliest known whale song recording, taken almost 80 years ago.
Birds
It’s the fastest animal on Earth and ruthlessly kills prey in mid-air – and it’s taking over London’s skyscrapers
The fastest animal on Earth is proliferating
among the skyscrapers of central London
From coral reefs to songbirds, the natural world is losing its colour. Here’s why scientists are worried
Colour is far more than beauty – it's a powerful indicator of ecosystem health. And the planet is losing its hues
"The blow was unbelievably powerful, like being hit with a baseball bat. To make it worse, one of her talons pierced my neck, leaving it numb and bleeding."
The harpies were mythological spirits that took the dead to hell, but this harpy eagle was intent on taking James out.
"They attack without hesitation and can rake down the front of a frail human body in seconds, with horrifying consequences" 10 violent birds that attack humans
Watch out folks! There’s an angry bird about!
A rapidly melting ‘Doomsday Glacier’ and a monstrous deep-sea fish: 6 of nature’s signals that could warn of the end of the world
Whether these signs are rooted in science (like the Doomsday Glacier) or simply popular myth, they have been associated with the end of the world – or at least life as we know it
It existed 800 years ago, was home to 100,000 people – and was powered by poop
New research suggests that seabird guano may have been one of the main driving forces behind the rise of Peru's Chincha Kingdom.
How to identify wildlife
Red squirrel vs grey squirrel: Think you know how they differ? Think again as the differences between these two squirrels will surprise you
We take a look at how the red squirrel differs to its American grey cousin
Brown rat or water vole: How to tell the difference between these two lookalike-rodents
When all you've seen is a flash of brown fur, it can be hard to know whether it was a water vole or rat. Though the two species tend to live in different habitats, there are areas where they overlap, potentially leading to cases of mistaken identity. So how do you tell rats and water voles apart?
Mink or otter? What's the difference between these two slippery, semiaquatic lookalikes?
How do you tell the difference between otters and mink?
LRPs, PG Tips and Jizz: Cracking the secret language of birders
You’re sitting in a hide and overhear other birders talking. The conversation ranges from ‘LRPs’ and ‘roosting Leos’ and you scratch your chin as you try to decipher their code – welcome to the world of birding jargon.
It's the fastest animal in the world and its deadly claws can catch prey mid-air: Meet one of the world's most incredible birds of prey
Peregrines are the ultimate urban predator. Learn all about them, including how to spot them ‘stooping’ to catch prey
Save 30% when you subscribe to BBC Wildlife Magazine, plus receive Simon Barnes’ latest release, Spring is the Only Season
Save 30% when you subscribe to BBC Wildlife Magazine, plus receive Simon Barnes’ latest release, Spring is the Only Season
Plants
Does a tree know it's being eaten?
Can a tree protect itself if being eaten?
It weighs up to a whopping 30kg, has a diameter of 50cm and is the biggest seed on the planet
BBC Wildlife section editor Sarah McPherson answers your wild question.
1.6 million years ago, a bird flew over this mountain range in Haiti. It helped create a plant wonderland
Research reveals the flight paths of ancient birds kickstarted the evolution of an exceptionally biodiverse mountain range in the Caribbean nation.
Why wildfires are essential for some species’ survival
For some plants fire can help them survive
