Nature
From the tiniest single-celled organisms to the giants that roam the Earth, the animal kingdom is one that fascinates us all. Every day we learn more about the creatures we share the planet with, all 1.5 million-plus of them, and that's just the ones we have discovered so far. Whether we keep them as pets, eat them for food or study them for science, our relationship with animals is complex, but is part of the very nature of what makes us human.
Can animals be left- or right-pawed?
Does your pet favour one paw in particular? Surprisingly there is an easy way to find out and it applies to most animals.
The top 22 most ugly animals in the world
Not all creatures can be beautiful, but they all have interesting stories to tell
Try not to smile at these 5 feel-good science stories from 2025
When 2025 got a bit much, science stepped in with the good news we needed to hear
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How we got dinosaurs spectacularly wrong for more than a century
Turns out the T. rex was a feathery genius.
What are some of the spookiest experiments we've ever done?
Definitely best not to try these at home...
Why scientists once thought the platypus was an elaborate hoax
The platypus is such a strange animal that it was originally thought to be an elaborate hoax by pranksters
How the 'Christmas tree worm' evolved one of the ocean’s strangest senses
Meet the bizarre underwater worm that looks like a Christmas decoration and sees through its gills.
‘It’s completely out of control’: Scientists warn bird flu could spark a human pandemic in 2026
Bird flu has been rampaging through wildlife and farm animals worldwide. Will it make the long-feared jump to people?
Can any animals see in infared?
While infrared light is invisible to most animals, there are some, including salmon, bullfrogs and snakes, that can see it
This 'phantom' jellyfish is bigger than a bus – and keeps lurking in shallow waters
New (very rational) fear unlocked – thanks nature
How many spiders are in my house?
Your house may contain dozens of spiders. Or far more...
This newly discovered spiderweb stretches across two countries – and holds 100,000 creatures
Spiders don’t normally create such large colonies, so no need to fear finding one in your basement
New study reveals salt to blame for missing mega-herbivores
Elephants, rhinos and giraffes might be limited by the availability of this kitchen ingredient
Can animals smell death?
How one fallen creature can set off a chain reaction of chaos
Major ‘megafires’ are now primed to ignite across the US. All it needs is a spark
The US is a tinderbox, just waiting to go up in flames
Humans are absolutely terrible at reading dog emotions, study finds
Our emotions can play a big part in how we respond to our furry friends – but not in the way you might think
How should you talk to someone who has just lost a pet?
Just as with human bereavement, losing a pet can cause intense grief
How much of the ocean is just whale pee?
Whale pee is more important to the ocean than you might think. How important? Urine for a shock
The 25 most powerful ideas of the 21st century (so far), picked by the world’s top thinkers
We asked the world's foremost minds to highlight some of the game-changing scientific breakthroughs shaping our world since the year 2000
Forever chemicals are altering the DNA of unhatched ducklings, study finds
Forever chemicals, or PFAS, take a really long time to break down naturally and they’re everywhere
Scientists have almost cracked the secret language of animals. Here's what they've learned
We’re on the verge of decoding animal communication. Here’s what we’ve learned so far – and how AI could finally help us decipher their languages
Simple ways to calm your stressed dog this Guy Fawkes Night, according to an expert
A canine psychologist shares top tip to soothe your anxious pooch when the fireworks start flying.
Killer whales have now learnt a genius way to destroy great white sharks, new footage shows
Killer whales have a grisly new technique for hunting juvenile great white sharks – and scientists caught it on camera
This ‘internet of animals’ could unlock the secrets of nature’s greatest superpowers
Scientists are using electronic tags and satellites to track wild animals and build a data network.