These cute cephalopods that fit in the palm of your hand could kill you in minutes with a venom a thousand times stronger than cyanide, says Melissa Hobson. What are blue-ringed octopuses? Blue-ringed octopus are a genus of octopus known for their iridescent blue markings. These iconic patterns only reveal themselves when the little octopus – which are smaller than a […]
Louisiana gears up for first recreational alligator hunt in more than 50 years
The first recreational alligator hunt in Louisiana in more than half a century is about to commence in the swamps of that state, with up to 5,000 hopeful trappers facing strict rules in order to snare a reptile. The state’s fish and wildlife commission banned alligator hunting in 1962 to allow the species to recover after decades […]
“It screams, chatters and whistles”. It might look like a dog but it definitely doesn’t sound like a dog with its freaky, spine-tingling vocals…
Sure, dogs bark, growl and howl. But did you know they can scream, chatter and whistle, too? The dhole or ‘whistling dog’ is a formidable and co-operative hunter that relies on these strange vocalisations to communicate with pack members across dense vegetation and bring down prey far larger than itself. With a russet coat and […]
Cougars cut deadly vehicle-deer collisions in the US by up to 76%, study shows
If you’re a black-tailed deer on the Olympic Peninsula in the U.S. state of Washington, you’re always surrounded by friends and family. You are free-range, with abundant food to forage in familiar woods and meadows. But you’re also vigilant because you’re a prey species and your ideal habitat is also home to your top predators: […]
VOTE for the Best Photo of the Month August 2026
Welcome to the “Best Photo of the Month” competition showcasing and celebrating the biodiversity of Planet Earth. Voting is easy and lots of fun. By popular request the number of images to be selected has been increased to six. First click an image and the slideshow will start automatically. Select the SIX images you like best […]
“You’re looking at one of the wildest landscapes on Earth and watching a species that almost nobody has ever studied.“
Researchers have uncovered new information about a rare rodent known as the Wolffsohn’s viscacha, allowing them to reclassify the species from Data Deficient to Endangered on Argentina’s national Red List. The Wolffsohn’s viscacha (Lagidium wolffsohni) is a relatively large rodent, measuring approximately 470mm from head to rear, with the tail extending up to 305mm. Looking like a cross between […]
Scientists who turned to OnlyFans to fund marmot research receive crypto boost
Scientists who turned to OnlyFans to help save long-running research into marmots have raised more than $100,000 after harnessing the support of another, very modern, funding avenue – cryptocurrency. The 60-year project of continuous study of marmots – stout, ground-dwelling rodents that are the largest members of the squirrel family – across the US west […]
It has piercing blue-grey eyes, a 2m wingspan, a spectacular shaggy crest – and is powerful enough to take monkeys in its deadly talons
The Philippine eagle is one of the world’s largest and rarest birds of prey. Found only in the Philippines, this forest raptor has piercing blue-grey eyes, a wingspan that can exceed 2m and a spectacular shaggy crest that lends it a certain star quality. Powerful enough to take monkeys – hence its historic name, the […]