Animals

Animals

Wild, extinct, domesticated, endangered - the animal kingdom is filled with creatures of exotic shapes and sizes, making them a firm favourite for curious minds and fact finders of all ages. Here you can find a menagerie of animal facts and pictures of the wonderful beasts that walk the earth, the birds that soar through the sky and the sea creatures that swim through the vast oceans of our Earth.

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
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Can animals play video games?

From dolphins to pigs: Inside the surprising world of nature's gamers
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Yes, your dog could really be addicted to their ball, says new study

'Ball junkies' are hooked on their toys
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We finally know why men don’t live as long as women, say scientists

Males that spend less energy on sex and more on raising their children tend to live longer
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This ancient blue-blooded sea creature has saved countless human lives

But now the race is on to save them from extinction
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Is there anything on Earth that could withstand conditions on Mars?

Scientists have conducted a variety of experiments to find out what, if anything, could survive the harsh conditions of Mars
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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
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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
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We may soon know how to stop dogs ageing, and humans could be next

Cutting-edge anti-ageing advances could extend your dog’s lifespan – and help sniff out the secrets to human longevity too
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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
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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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121 random fun facts that will blow your mind

Our collection of the best interesting trivia covers animals, biology, geography, space and much more
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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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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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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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New smart pill could let doctors explore and treat your gut from the inside

Scientists say this could be the start of a "new generation" of tech, capable of hacking the gut microbiome
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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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