Nature

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.

Here’s how to tell if your dog actually loves you, according to science

Your dog is so pleased to see you when you get home. Then again, that’s also when you feed them. So does your dog see you as their best friend or merely a food delivery system?
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Ocean water could now corrode shark teeth at alarming rate, study suggests

“They’re highly developed weapons built for cutting flesh, not resisting ocean acid"
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Cats v dogs: Here’s who’s smarter, according to science

In the ultimate pet showdown, we size up the cerebral powers of our favourite furry friends.
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8 (very very cute) facts about cats, according to science

Curiosity won't kill these cats
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Why do cats get the zoomies after pooping?

The science behind 'poophoria'.
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Cats get dementia too. And they might be the key to new human treatments

New research has found that our feline friends develop dementia in a similar way to human Alzheimer’s Disease, opening the door to further research
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6 simple ways to instantly improve your dog’s life, according to science

What's the way to your dog's heart? A steak? A permanent place on the sofa? On open car window to lean out of during a long drive?
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Some (very adorable) whales and dolphins were caught forming unlikely friendships

Their interactions are rarely studied, but it turns out whales and dolphins actually get along swimmingly – even if one side’s keener than the other
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The (completely adorable) ways dogs know exactly how you’re feeling

Ever get the feeling your dog knows what you’re thinking? It might be because they’re picking up on cues you didn’t realise you were transmitting.
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This ingenious new invention could mean the end of palm oil

This alternative could protect forests and reduce greenhouse gases, from products small suburban breweries
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Bigger dinosaurs didn’t always have stronger bites, surprising new study finds

You probably still wouldn’t want to come face to face with them, though
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Female gorillas can overpower males twice their size, study finds

Primate society is less patriarchal than we thought
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Is the honeybee crisis a hoax after all?

Despite the negative media buzz, our favourite pollinator is doing better than you’d expect
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These are the dog breeds most at risk of overeating, says study

Science explains why certain doggos are more at risk of becoming loveable loaves
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This (very cute) footage shows baby turtles being called by their mothers

In the new BBC series Parenthood, narrated by Sir David Attenborough, baby turtles see sunlight for the first time and crawl towards their singing mothers
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This cat-borne parasite could be causing you to make bad decisions. Here's how

The parasite hijacks our brain chemistry and can lead to both rage and risk-taking
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Here's what your dog's TV watching habits say about their personality

Coming up next on the Dog Channel: Paw & Order
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This bizarre underwater 'blue dragon' fights with stolen jellyfish venom

These blue sea slugs spend their lives hanging from the surface of the ocean
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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
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This 'explosive' squirting cucumber can launch seeds at nearly 30mph

Nature's most explosive cucumber fires out its seeds to give them their best shot in life
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Alpha males are the exception, not the rule, bold new study claims

Clear-cut male dominance is surprisingly rare in our animal relatives – and many females hold more sway than expected
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Scientists uncover (very) creepy reason humans first kept pet cats

Our relationship with our feline friends may not have gotten off to the best start…
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Fungi could be conscious. Here's what that means

New research on fungi suggests they could be demonstrating some form of intelligence, but not all experts are convinced.
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Orcas caught 'tongue kissing' in the wild for the first time

They may be the apex predators of the sea, but orcas are total softies when it comes to those they care about
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