Helen Pilcher
Science writer, presenter and performer.
Helen Pilcher is a tea-drinking, biscuit-nibbling science and comedy writer, with a PhD in cell biology. She contributes regularly to BBC Wildlife and BBC Science Focus, and has penned many popular science books. Life Changing: How Humans are Altering Life on Earth was The Times 2020 Science Book of the Year and was shortlisted for the Wainwright Prize for Writing on Global Conservation. Bring Back the King: The New Science of De-extinction was Radio 2’s Fact Not Fiction Book of the Week, and was described by comedian Sara Pasco as ‘science at its funniest.’ In other news, Helen is science advisor to the Beano, and owns a genetically-modified wolf called Higgs. Her favourite bird is the kakapo, her favourite moth is the Merveille du Jour and her favourite beverage is a warm, milky brew; no sugar.
Recent articles by Helen Pilcher
These simple, surprising changes can pain-proof your back, say doctors
Back-pain is on the rise thanks to more sedentary lifestyles. So what is the best way to fight back?
This deadly snake was filmed using its spider-shaped tail as bait
The spider-tailed snake has a bulbous tip on its tail, fringed by long scales that make it look like a spider
The truth about Borneo's 'vampire squirrel' - and its massive tail
Meet the tufted ground squirrel of Borneo, which has been said to gorge on the hearts and livers of deer and chickens
Why do dogs love to play with trash?
Just like wild wolves, our pampered pups can enjoy playing in and with the foulest-smelling stuff
Can animals get drunk?
The natural world is one big pub, with alcohol on tap from fermented fruits, sap and nectar. Different animals have different tolerance levels
Anti-ageing pills are real, and some of us are taking them without knowing it
Eternal youth is the stuff of religion and mythology, but what if we could just have a bit more of it? What if there was a pill that could slow down the ravages of time, so that you could feel younger for longer. It sounds like snake oil, but there’s a growing body of research that’s betting on making it a reality.
Why do cats get the zoomies after pooping?
The science behind 'poophoria'.
Celeb hair loss treatments won't work. Here's what will
From microneedles to minoxidil, here's what could actually cure your baldness
Here's the most effective, proven way to shape your microbiome for slower ageing
New research suggests that our microbiomes can even help us resist the effects of ageing, if we treat them right
Do dogs really understand the words used on soundboard buttons?
In some online videos, dogs seem to have conversations with their owners by pressing buttons on soundboards
Which animal has the sharpest teeth?
This sharp-toothed creature was similar to an eel and lived 500 to 200 million years ago
What's the most painful insect sting?
Meet the insect with the most painful sting in the world
What is the deadliest creature in the UK?
Man’s best friend? Yeah, right.
This bizarre shrinking frog is breaking nature's biggest rules
How can a frog get smaller as it grows up?
Why is my dog scooting?
Here's what your dog is trying to tell you when it's rubbing its bum across the ground.
Meet the civet, the animal that poops the world's most expensive coffee
From jungle droppings to luxury brew
The end of food allergies is tantalisingly close. Here are the frontrunners for a cure
The number of severe immune reactions to food is reaching epidemic proportions, but a one-size-fits-all cure could be on the horizon.
If a worm was cut lengthways. would it regenerate?
Inside the strange science of animal regeneration
This Tully monster mystery keeps getting weirder
Step aside, Loch Ness Monster
Are cats liquid?
Cats take a unique approach to small spaces, even if they shouldn't really fit
What are the best preserved Ice Age animals
Frozen in time, these prehistoric animals offer an astonishing glimpse into the past.
Why this 'zombie hand' fungus is even deadlier than it looks
Don't be put off by its creepy look, this fungus is actually great for the local wildlife.
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 brilliant reason these ridiculous monkeys find long noses sexy
Proboscis monkeys have some seriously quirky habits.