"In evolutionary terms, sex is inefficient" So why do animals have sex?
A sexually reproducing population, in which only half can give birth, grows at half the rate of an asexual one in which everyone can - so what are the benefits of sex?
It's been sealed off for an inconceivable 5 million years and is rich in toxic chemicals. Life shouldn't survive here – but it does...
Life thrives in bizarre ecosystem, sealed off for 5 million years
"I get goosebumps thinking about it.” Giant tortoises return to remote Galápagos island after more than 150-year absence
The release of 158 giant tortoises on the island of Floreana is a major milestone for Galápagos conservation.
A 'vampire' deer, the grumpiest cat, a bearded vulture – meet Mongolia's strangest animals
Cazenove+loyd's private expeditions can help you see the world's most elusive creatures
Do tigers get a taste for human flesh after a first bite?
Some tigers do become serial man-eaters. But the evidence suggests they are driven by necessity rather than preference.
"It doesn't come much weirder than having a see-through head!" 16 strangest, weirdest fish in the world, including one that can incredibly live out of water
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
It spans 2.7km, borders two countries and can be seen from space – and is home to one of the most daring animals on Earth
South America's Iguazu Falls is the world's largest waterfall system. Yet, despite its imposing size, a devoted bird flies through its crashing cascades to raise its young.
Plants play techno, chimps drum and one creature uses its minuscule penis as a bow – why music isn’t just for humans
It’s not just the hills that are alive with the sound of music – ponds and oceans thrum with tunes, too
“Millions have been released.” Hawaii’s beautiful birds are dying. But scientists have a controversial plan to save them
Endemic birds on Hawaii are being wiped out by avian malaria, but is GM technology the answer?
It lasted thousands of years and puzzled Aristotle and Freud – is this the biggest animal mystery of all time?
Scientists were left baffled over how eels reproduced – leading to the belief they spontaneously spawned
Birds
“They’re like giant airships crossing the city.” This monumental gathering may be the world’s most incredible natural spectacle
In Brighton, tens of thousands of starlings gather to form incredible murmurations
A rapidly melting ‘Doomsday Glacier’ and a monstrous deep-sea fish: 6 of nature’s doomsday 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’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!
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
It’s taller than Big Ben, can live for thousands of years and even regenerates after an entire forest burns down
Did you know the tallest tree species in the world can grow to more than 100 metres? Learn all about them
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.
