A survey of the world’s largest free-roaming giant tortoise population has discovered that the once endangered species is thriving. A population of Aldabra giant tortoises lives on an island in Seychelles called Aldabra Atoll. The most recent survey, led by Seychelles Islands Foundation (SIF) and the University of Exeter, revealed there were approximately 180,000 tortoises […]
This sloth has moths living in its fur. The reason why is remarkable
British birds such as blackbirds, jays and woodpeckers will sometimes come down to the ground, fan their wings and allow ants to swarm over them, possibly squashing the ants as they do. “We think it’s to do with reducing parasite loads, because the [formic] acid from the ants does that, though people are still open-minded […]
Hunters reportedly kill hundreds of migratory birds stranded by thunderstorm in Malta
A multi-day thunderstorm over the Mediterranean Sea struck Malta, stranding hundreds of passing migratory birds on Sept. 14, 2026. Hunters in the country then shot hundreds of those birds, including protected species, shows evidence gathered by the conservation NGO Birdlife Malta. Malta sits on the Central European-Mediterranean flyway that millions of migratory birds use annually […]
Is it a bear? Is it a dog? No, it’s something in between…
Despite being known as ‘bear dogs‘, amphicyonids are neither bears nor dogs. Instead they’re a distinct family of distantly related carnivores that, for several million years, were among the largest and deadliest mammals alive. What are bear dogs? The term ‘bear dogs’ refers to a family of extinct, terrestrial mammals known as the amphicyonids, which means […]
World’s largest penguin colony suffers ‘enormous population crash’
The world’s largest penguin colony has declined by two-thirds since 2011, most likely because of the climate crisis, a study has revealed. Scientists said the rapid demise of chinstrap penguins on Zavodovski, the northernmost of the South Sandwich Islands in Antarctica, increased the risk of a wider ecosystem collapse. Antarctica’s Zavodovski Island is home to […]
It’s one of the most destructive, dangerous and deadly animals on earth – meet the highly toxic ‘toadzilla’
The cane toad is a large and highly toxic amphibian. It’s considered one of the world’s most destructive invasive species after being introduced to countries across the globe as a biological control against insect ‘pests’ on sugar-cane crops, hence its common name. These introductions were largely unsuccessful, particularly in Australia. Find out everything you need […]
More plastic, less glow? Pollution threatens deep sea’s bioluminescent life, experts warn
Plastic pollution could disrupt the bioluminescent light produced by deep-sea organisms, researchers warn in a letter in the journal Cambridge Prisms: Plastics. When deep-sea organisms ingest plastics, it could disrupt the chemical pathways that create bioluminescence and damage the tissues in their bodies, impairing their ability to find food and a mate, the authors said. […]
Butterflies are extremely hard to catch – and scientists just uncovered their secret weapon
Butterflies are known for the striking and often colourful patterns on their wings – but they’re not just there to look pretty. According to new research, a butterfly’s flight and wing pattern work together to create powerful visual illusions that help them evade predators. The study was conducted by scientists from the University of Exeter […]