A new study has found that reproductive female Antarctic krill actively use deep-sea hydrothermal vents as a habitat, suggesting these environments may play a role in the animals’ reproductive cycle. Researchers observed groups of the animals moving along mineral-rich fissures in the ocean floor, with every krill collected from the site found to be a […]
In war-torn South Sudan, giraffes retain a surprisingly healthy gene pool
Giraffes living in the South Sudan’s war-torn savannas are genetically healthy and connected to nearby giraffe populations by gene flow, despite decades of conflict, recent research suggests. These findings show that “regions of the world that have been affected by conflict can maintain a lot of biodiversity and should therefore not be overlooked by genetic […]
These are the most dangerous caterpillars in the world – one even contains enough venom to kill a human
From a South American caterpillar whose venom can interfere with blood clotting to a North American species capable of delivering an intensely painful sting, discover the world’s most dangerous caterpillars. Most dangerous caterpillars Fire taturana Nicknamed the assassin caterpillar, Lonomia obliqua (also known as a fire taturana or giant silkworm) is among the few caterpillars […]
Saving the Siamese crocodile: Cambodia moves to protect one of the world’s last wild populations
In the 1990s, conservationists in Cambodia feared the Siamese crocodile had disappeared for good. Fishing and hunting had devastated the species throughout the 20th century, leaving populations across its native south-east Asia on the brink of extinction. But in villages dotted among the wetlands of the remote Cardamom mountains, Indigenous Chorng communities still reported seeing […]
“A father’s input often ends at copulation, so males must impress females.” Why males are such show-offs
Male and female animals of the same species usually come in different forms or ‘morphs’. The two sexes have distinctive features that include not only visible differences in features such as colour, size and shape, but also in unseen traits that dictate physiology and behaviour. So why does this sexual dimorphism exist? What’s a sexual […]
A new cat species was just discovered. Several more may follow
Editor’s note: Last week, the description of a “new” cat species from Bolivia made headlines around the world. The tilcayo (Leopardus tilcayo), a small spotted cat from Bolivia’s Yungas cloud forests, was described as the first new living cat species discovered in more than a century. Unlike several cats recognized as new species in recent […]
Results of the Best Photo of the Month September 2026
We are delighted to announce the results of our latest photo competition. Suhan Sajee wins First Prize with his outstanding image ‘Lucy the Leopard of Great Wonders‘. Jess Findlay wins Second Prize with “Cream-coloured Woodpecker”. Third Prize goes to Alan Murphy with ‘Snow Geese at Dawn – Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge’. Please give […]
Scientists once thought it could only live for 70 years – turns out it’s double that. Here’s how they made the amazing discovery
Whales have some of the longest lifespans in the animal kingdom, with several whale species being recorded as living for more than 100 years. In the past, researchers have used several methods to measure the longevity of this these marine mammals. They count layers in their earwax, which increase year after year; they measure a chemical […]