This odd-looking bird is a charismatic giant that can live up to 25 years in the wild. It has piercing eyes and and can grow up to 1.5m tall with a wingspan of 2.6m. For some, its cartoon-like charm is magnetic, for others it’s a menacing-looking predator. It is hunted for its meat and eggs and threatened by […]
Tag: frogs
“They were bouncing off umbrellas and pavements and hopped off in their hundreds…” 10 times it rained animals
You’ve heard of it raining cats and dogs. Thankfully, it’s just a figure of speech, but did you know that sometimes it really does rain animals? From starfish and shrimp to fish and frogs, sometimes creatures really do fall from the sky. The episodes leave people running for cover and scratching their heads, prompting explanations […]
“This slashing can cause fatal wounds in humans…” 10 deadliest birds on the planet, including one with a highly lethal 12cm claw…
We don’t often think of birds as dangerous, says Dominic Couzens. That’s a mistake, because to their prey species they are, of course, completely deadly. Perhaps surprisingly, a few species can also be a peril to humans, and back in prehistoric times there were probably more. Here we will look both at the birds that […]
“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 […]
“It has a lethally large inner toe tipped by a deadly dagger-like claw…” 15 weirdest, strangest birds on the planet, including one that reeks of fresh cow manure
When it comes to the weirdest birds, we have a rich crop to choose from. For example, there’s the gaudy-hued king vulture, the strange great potoo – and don’t forget the prehistoric-looking shoebill with its unnerving stare. Here are our favourite weirdest birds. 15 weirdest birds Kakapo Although it may look like an owl, the […]
Expedition to remote Angolan plateau reveals dozens of dazzling new species
A scientific expedition to Angola’s remote Lisima plateau has uncovered dozens of species that were previously unknown to science. Seen as one of Africa’s last great biodiversity blank spots, the in-depth exploration of the upper Cassai catchment area on Angola’s eastern plateau revealed eight undescribed dragonfly species, three new grasshopper species, and around 60 new moths and butterflies. The findings, […]
“It has incredibly potent venom, causing catastrophic internal bleeding and horrifying consequences – with the body coming apart from within.”
Long, arboreal and often dazzlingly green, the boomslang looks more like a vine with eyes than a killer. Yet this member of the Colubrid snake family carries an incredibly potent venom, capable of causing catastrophic internal bleeding. It is shy and much less likely to bite than some other more aggressive venomous snakes, such as the saw-scaled […]
“This huge ‘cloud’ seemed to come out of nowhere. Suddenly frogs started to fall from the sky. I thought a plane carrying frogs had exploded…”
For a few surreal minutes in June 2005, the residents of a small Serbian town were forced to do a reality check, after storm clouds gathered and frogs rained down from the sky. Thousands of the amphibians are said to have fallen to the ground, forcing traffic to a standstill and locals to run for cover. One resident […]