“When they use these spines, they puncture them really deeply into their attacker. They can deliver venom into the wound”

“When they use these spines, they puncture them really deeply into their attacker. They can deliver venom into the wound”

In a new study, researchers compared the features of 30 different stingray spines to find out why some break off while others remain sturdy Scientists have gained a fascinating insight into how stingrays‘ iconic spines differ across species and the trade-off between different features. “Stingray spines are highly modified scales,” says Emily Poulin, a PhD candidate […]

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“Its toxins affect the nerves and heart and it has enough poison to kill 10 grown men”

“Its toxins affect the nerves and heart and it has enough poison to kill 10 grown men”

One of Earth’s most toxic animals, poison dart frogs are famed for their colourful, vibrant appearance. Despite their small size, measuring just one inch in length, these tiny amphibians possess enough potent toxins to deter or even kill predators many times their size. Their bright hues serve as a warning signal to potential threats, showcasing […]

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This peculiar rodent is the size of a domestic cat and weirdly covered in bands of deep, rich reds and blues

This peculiar rodent is the size of a domestic cat and weirdly covered in bands of deep, rich reds and blues

Squirrels don’t come much bigger than the Malabar giant variety. Weighing four times as much as a grey squirrel and much bigger than the red squirrel, this robust rodent is about the size of a domestic cat. But it’s not the Malabar giant’s size that turns heads and drops jaws, but rather its colour scheme. Meet the rainbow […]

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“One of the ocean’s fastest and most powerful predators.” Photographer witnesses elegant hunter prowling for prey

“One of the ocean’s fastest and most powerful predators.” Photographer witnesses elegant hunter prowling for prey

As a school of fish swirls above, a marlin prowls through the blue water, its distinctive stripes glinting in the sun. This is the stunning moment caught on film by wildlife filmmaker Alex Westover. Westover shared the spectacular video on Instagram with the caption “marlin magic”. He describes the event as “a rare encounter with one of the ocean’s fastest […]

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