Jules Howard
Jules Howard is a zoology correspondent, naturalist and author of more than 10 books including The Wildlife Pond Handbook. He writes for a number of publications including The Guardian, Science Focus and BBC Wildlife Magazine.
Recent articles by Jules Howard
Does my dog love me? Here’s how to know for sure
Sure, they wag their tails to greet us and are happy to snuggle up and watch TV in the evening, but are our beloved pooches actually experiencing the same love for us as we feel for them?
Cannibalism, barbed penises and a whole lot of venom: The 8 most brutal animal courtships
Some animals pair for life. Boring. Here are some that mutilate, kill and eat each other when they mate!
The 5 biggest dog training myths debunked by science
Does your dog know who’s boss? Does the wolf in him need taming? What’s the best way to stop bad behaviours? And when reaching for those dog biscuits, who, exactly, is training whom?
Inflating animals: 7 incredible creatures that blow up like balloons
Zoologist Jules Howard takes a closer look at how and why species from all walks of life have evolved this bizarre ability.
No, Bunny the talking dog can’t really speak English, but here’s how you can learn to speak dog
You may have seen videos of dogs pressing buttons on a sound board, supposedly asking for a walk, a treat or to go outside – but do they really understand what the words mean?
How can we deal with all the dead?
More people die every day, but our graveyards aren’t getting any bigger. So what happens when we inevitably start running out of places to put the bodies?
Are we thinking about death wrong in the West?
Everyone who’s alive now – you, your friends, your family – one day won’t be. It’s an unavoidable fact, and yet we often go to great lengths to avoid acknowledging it. Jules Howard explains why that might be a mistake.
Can we cure old age?
Do you want to live forever? Are you sure? Because while you might be up for it, your body isn’t. But there might be things we can do about that.
Mother Nature's Ingenuity: 9 exquisite eggs that demonstrate how incredible evolution can be
An eggs-planation of evolution via a cracking selection of images.
In photos: How glow-in-the-dark animals use the language of light
It's not just fireflies that can create light: there are fish and even mammals that can do the same.
Vive Le Blob | The amazing abilities of slime moulds
Do you need a brain to solve puzzles? Not if you’re a slime mould. These single-celled organisms can learn, navigate mazes and perhaps help us gain a deeper insight into the structure of the Universe itself.
What is a coconut crab?
A gigantic crustacean with well-muscled claws which feeds on rotting fruit and flesh.
What is a scaly-foot snail?
Forget the iron lady, this big-hearted, aquatic gastropod is naturally iron plated, giving it a medieval chain mail vibe.
What is a Brazilian treehopper?
Displaying balls on your head like some kind of avant-garde hat wearing loon might just stop you being eaten.
Does my cat only like me for the food?
Our feline friends might not see us as overgrown tin openers after all.
What is a pink fairy armadillo?
Silky white fur, pink armour and hard to see, these almost mythical-like creatures are declining in the wild.
Are human and animal bones the same?
Asked by: Edward Seymour, Hove
Why do millipedes have so many legs?
Asked by: Henry Butler, Canterbury
What is a pink frogmouth?
How dare you! Oh wait, that’s not an insult. This aquatic creature can walk, hold its breath, increase in size and has a glowing unicorn horn-like fin.
What is the satanic leaf-tailed gecko?
Not only does this tropical lizard have extreme camo getup but it can also let out an almighty scream to frighten off any foes.
Do any other animals have baby teeth and adult teeth?
Open wide! Most mammals have baby teeth which allows jaws to grow so no useless little gnashers are left for adult animals.