Science news

Cannibalistic butterflies chow down on live caterpillars © Tea et al

Cannibalistic butterflies chow down on live caterpillars

During a shallow night dive in Wollongong Harbour, NSW I came across this adult male Southern Bobtail Squid hunting across the sand. As I approached it seemed to take interest in its reflection in my camera lens port and began to dance with this curious and colourful display. It’s a behaviour I’ve only witness a couple of times in several years of diving here, but this time I managed to capture it before the animal vanished into the night.

Glowing alien squid is the star attraction in the Ocean Photography Awards 2021

Genetic analysis shows we may be able to save New Zealand’s kakapo from extinction © Getty Images

Inbreeding might actually have saved the Kakapo, a rare waddling parrot, from extinction

Put down the filter: Tea made with impure water tastes better © Getty Images

Everyday science

Put down the filter: Tea made with impure water tastes better

Climate change is causing animals to shapeshift © Getty Images

Climate change is causing animals to shapeshift

The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2021
Chee Kee Teo
Singapore
Singapore
Title: Time for school
Description: A smooth-coated otter

It’s off to school for you: The Comedy Wildlife Awards finalists 2021

Hydrogen power: Will the government’s strategy help us get to net-zero carbon? © Getty Images

Reality Check Will the government’s Hydrogen Strategy help us get to net-zero carbon?

Scientists behind Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine create a jab for fighting cancer © Getty Images

Revolutionary cancer vaccine trials inspired by COVID jab begin

The strength of our gut-brain connection may affect how we perceive our body image © Getty Images

A lack of communication between the gut and brain could give rise to a negative body image

Monstrous rains in Masai Mara Kenya during January of 2020 caused one of the major rivers to flood and become larger and more violent than ever before. The world’s only recorded coalition of 5 male cheetahs, were looking to cross this river in terrifyingly powerful currents. It seemed a task doomed to failure, with many famous cheetahs dying trying to cross much fewer daunting waters.
After hours of careful searching along the banks, they suddenly jumped into the water and began trying to swim across this maelstrom of water as we watched terrified, they would be washed away or eaten by crocodiles. Their aim was to cross over to the other side, which was part of their territory and full of game.
The lead cheetah looked straight at us during the crossing while gritting teeth with swimming effort, as if accusing us of not helping them and watching them about to die. We screamed with delight as we saw them finally cross over about a 100m downstream from where they jumped.

Up to our necks: Swimming cheetahs commended by Wildlife Photographer of the Year

Genetic analysis identifies three new species of handstanding skunk © Jerry W Dragoo

Genetic analysis identifies three new species of handstanding skunk

Dogs can tell whether our actions are deliberate or accidental © Josepha Erlacher

Experiment proves that your dog doesn’t take it personally when you trip over them

Road runner stopped by Trump's border wall wins Bird Photographer of the Year © Alejandro Prieto / Bird Photographer of the Year

Road runner stopped by Trump’s border wall wins Bird Photographer of the Year

Mental health, climate change and COVID-19: 18 mesmerising winners from the Wellcome Photography Prize 2021 © Aly Song/Wellcome Photography Prize 2021

Mental health, climate change and COVID-19: 18 mesmerising winners from the Wellcome Photography Prize 2021

Regularly drinking coffee may help to protect your heart © Getty Images

Regularly drinking coffee may help to protect your heart