Dr Helen Scales
Dr Helen Scales is a marine biologist, broadcaster and science writer. She is the author of Spirals in Time and The Brilliant Abyss.
Recent articles by Dr Helen Scales
How much of the ocean floor have we actually explored?
The Ocean is unbelievably large and hard to navigate, but are we any nearer to understanding it?
These underwater ‘panda skeletons’ are seriously puzzling experts
A truly unusual find discovered in Japanese coral reefs, these strange creatures were granted their own species
Do any animals use other animals for sport?
Who needs a ball when you have a pufferfish to hand?
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.
How deep can a penguin dive?
Penguins are skilled divers, transitioning from land to water with smooth movements. But what's the deepest a penguin can actually dive?
This 'phantom' jellyfish is bigger than a bus – and keeps lurking in shallow waters
New (very rational) fear unlocked – thanks nature
Was the sea always blue?
Several billion years ago, tiny little creatures may have changed the colour of the ocean
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
This ancient blue-blooded sea creature has saved countless human lives
But now the race is on to save them from extinction
This bizarre underwater 'blue dragon' fights with stolen jellyfish venom
These blue sea slugs spend their lives hanging from the surface of the ocean
This 80-million-year-old shark species is a biological mystery
Meet the frilled shark, one of nature's weirdest creatures
What makes tardigrades so indestructible?
Scientists are beginning to understand what makes tardigrades (otherwise known as 'water bears') so indestructible
Does the deep sea have seasons?
A recent study has suggested that currents sweeping over the deep seabed are not steady and continuous, as previously thought
Nature's cutest maniac: Why this (very adorable) sea slug eats sunlight for breakfast
Get to know all about the Costasiella kuroshimae - the leaf sheep sea slug
What's the weirdest way fish mate?
Note to self: never date an anglerfish
This bizarre spiked mammal is basically a real-life Pokemon
I choose you, lowland streaked tenrec
This very goofy fish is a certified freak, according to science
The ocean sunfish is a funny-looking guy. But that isn't even the weirdest thing about him.
How do whales sing under the sea?
Whales are known for their musical talents, but how can that be possible under water?
Nature's weirdest: The black swallower fish
It's a plucky fish whose eyes are definitely not bigger than their stomach.
How cute are baby sharks in real life?
Doo doo doo, doo doo doo doo doo.
Nature's weirdest: The pigbutt worm
What an... urm... interesting creature.
Natures weirdest: The Portuguese Man O'War
You seriously don’t want to come across one of these while taking a dip.
How many tentacles does an octopus have?
Go on, count them...
Nature's weirdest: The Spanish Dancer
It feeds on marine snow – and has a see-through digestive tract.
