Posts by Matt Ayres
12 tiny and adorable bugs who will change the way you look at insects
Not a fan of insects? We can’t really blame you—creepy crawlies are repeatedly portrayed as ugly, scary, dangerous or downright boring. But take some time to get to know a few species from the mindbogglingly massive world of invertebrates, and you’ll be amazed at how adorable these minibeasts can be. To aid you on your insect … Continued
7 surprising facts about hippos that you probably didn’t know
Most people know that hippos are large, live in water, wallow in mud and eat a whole lot. But apart from those things, is there anything particularly interesting about these whopping African mammals? As it turns out, yes. We’ve gathered some of the most intriguing nuggets of information about the humble hippopotamus, so you can … Continued
10 scary scenarios caused by climate change that will affect us all soon
To those who doesn’t believe in global warming, consider this a wake up call: climate change is happening, and it’s destroying our world. Of course, it’s far easier to ignore the scientific claims about rising sea levels, fluctuating weather patterns and altering landscapes while we go about our privileged lives the way we always have. … Continued
The ingenious technology being used to prevent wildlife roadkill
Wildlife and cars just don’t mix. As human populations continue to encroach on important animal habitats, the construction of roads means that more species are getting hit by vehicles than ever before. And animals aren’t the only ones who need to be worried—high speed collisions with large creatures can also prove fatal to drivers … Continued
10 surprisingly easy New Year’s resolutions that'll help save the planet
When the new year rolls around and you start planning your resolutions, don’t settle for half-baked fitness goals and unrealistic work targets. By committing to just a few small life changes, you could make a real difference to the future of our planet. Have a green 2017 by taking on these simple but environmentally-friendly New … Continued
10 deadly plants that'll kill you if you’re not careful
Think plants are boring? These ones certainly aren’t. From trees that cause grotesque, burning blisters to poisonous plants capable of killing famous philosophers and Abraham Lincoln’s mum, here’s the fear-inducing flora that you’ll want to keep out of your garden.
The 12 creatures of Christmas
Why is Santa’s sleigh powered by reindeer? Are partridges actually found in pear trees? And what on Earth do kangaroos have to do with the holidays? We associate a lot of animals with the festive period, but have you ever stopped to wonder why? If so, wonder no more—we’ve dug around and found out the … Continued
We asked a genetics expert whether woolly mammoths could be brought back from the dead
The idea of bringing an extinct creature back from the dead is a seemingly ludicrous one. After all, if there are no creatures of a particular species left to reproduce, how can humans possibly expect to play God and resurrect them? For generations this has been an idea reserved for sci-fi literature and CGI-laden blockbusters. … Continued
Our top pick of pretty cool penguin (try to quote that quick!)
Penguins are some of the most popular animals around, but did you know that there are 17 recognized species of these lovable birds? They don’t just hang out in Antarctica either: penguins live across the globe, from South America to Australia. Ranging from the unstoppable emperor penguin to the adorable gentoo penguin and the unlikely … Continued
10 of the most extreme locations on Earth
It’s easy to have a moan about the rain and wind when it’s all wintery outside, but the truth is that most of us have it pretty easy when compared to the world’s most extreme climates. From sweltering heat to frostbite-inducing cold onto land-shuddering earthquakes and air twisting tornadoes, here are the Earth’s wildest weather conditions. More … Continued
10 totally bonza Australian animals
Australia is home to some of the most unique animals in the world: geographic isolation means it contains the majority of our planet’s marsupials, some of the only egg-laying mammals and a frightening variety of venomous species including snakes, spiders and jellyfish. Those who are willing to brave the perils found down under will be … Continued
We asked some Neuroparasitologists about the tiny critters that turn animals into zombies
Mindless, wandering creatures whose only remaining purpose in life is to serve their parasitic hosts. No, not the terrifying subject of a new George A. Romero flick, but a genuine natural occurrence caused by fiendish little organisms that have evolved brain-controlling abilities in order to survive. Neuroparasitology is the scientific study of parasites that control … Continued
18 powerful GIFs of wild animals in their natural habitats
It’s one thing seeing an animal in a zoo, but an entirely different spectacle seeing the creature in its own wild environment. Indeed, the reason we find nature documentaries so alluring is the opportunity to witness an animal thriving on its own terms; living in a world that it has become perfectly attuned to thanks … Continued
Can you see them? 15 animals with ridiculously good camouflage
Chameleons aren’t the only animals capable of blending in with their surroundings. Mother Nature has filled her world with multiple masters of disguise, whose stealthy camouflage makes them difficult to spot. Try to spy these crafty creatures, whose heroic hiding skills help them to survive.
Are these the most valuable birds in Britain?
While there are multiple definitions of what makes something valuable, there’s no denying the fact that certain wild animals are viewed more fondly by the public than others. For example, there are approximately 600 wild species of bird found throughout Great Britain, each with their own unique evolutionary traits and survival skills. Many people pick … Continued
We asked an economist whether it’s a good idea to put a price on nature
If you’re anything like us, you occasionally feel dwarfed by the incomprehensible awesomeness of the natural world. Our planet contains some incredible environments, inhabited by thousands of perfectly-adapted species—with such wonders surrounding us, it might seem vulgar to think of nature as a commodity that humans can put a price tag on. Yet in … Continued
10 deadly deserts that'll leave you gasping for a drink
With winter’s arrival, thoughts of never-ending sunshine and warm sand beneath your feet probably sound idyllic. In reality, many of the places on Earth that fit this description are far from the tropical paradises you’re imagining. Deserts are some of the most dangerous terrains on the planet; seemingly endless landscapes with extreme weather conditions and … Continued
10 of the most spectacular mountains on Earth
Mighty natural monuments that reach higher than the clouds and provide homes for our planet’s most fascinating survivors—it’s no wonder that humans have always had a fixation with mountains. A gauntlet of dangers, from subzero climates to volcanic eruptions, exist in these harsh environments. Perilous though they are, people are still willing to put up … Continued
We asked an evolution expert what will happen to humanity after the apocalypse
It’s been portrayed in fiction, films, TV shows and video games. But if and when the apocalypse finally descends upon our humble Earth, what will actually happen to everyone? Will our great-great-great-grandkids survive a meteor collision like the one that killed the dinosaurs, or perish while a new species takes over? Could a few survivors … Continued
7 epic natural light displays that make fireworks look dull
While we do agree that fireworks can be pretty cool, they’re nothing when compared to some of the natural light shows that can be spotted around the world. Everyone should aim to see at least one of these incredible phenomena in real life—if nothing else, they serve as a reminder of how cool our planet … Continued
5 killer animals less dangerous than taking a selfie
Think of Earth’s deadliest killers, and the same animals always seem to spring to mind. Sharks, bears, alligators; these are the creatures that we consistently mark out as Mother Nature’s most bloodthirsty beasts. Look at the stats, however, and you’ll realise that these sharp-toothed megafauna aren’t half as deadly as we make them out to … Continued
These 5 zombie-like animals have disturbingly evil habits
You don’t need to watch horror films to witness some of nature’s nightmares. Indeed there are real monsters out there committing gruesome and zombie-like acts of gore on their fellow animals each and every day. From brain-eating birds to tongue-stealing bugs, these grim creatures have developed a variety of disturbing behaviours, guaranteed to make your … Continued
20 dressed-up animals who are winning Halloween
Trick or treat! These adorably costumed creatures seem to be rather excited for Halloween. Their outfits are more likely to cause shrieks of joy than screams of terror, but all of them deserve animal-friendly treats for their impressive efforts at being spectacularly spooky. Normally we’d say the old-sheet-with-holes ghost costume is a lazy option for … Continued
Nightmare gnashers: 8 ordinary creatures with surprisingly terrifying teeth
Some of the most innocent creatures in the animal kingdom are secretly hiding horrifying sets of teeth. If you’re brave enough to peek inside the mouths of these seemingly normal animals, you’ll discover nightmare gnashers that look like they’ve come straight from the set of a monster movie. Have a browse of the gallery above to … Continued
Animals that get drunk, stoned or high
From bears to bats, a whole range of animals have discovered the dangerous vices of alcohol and drugs. Most manage to find their narcotics naturally in the wild, although some have unfortunately found human substances to be more effective at getting them high. We don’t necessarily condone the unhealthy habits of these substance-abusing beasts, but … Continued
Animal Overlords: 5 creatures that keep their own pets
Humans aren’t the only ones to keep pets, you know. All sorts of animals from right around the world have been spotted forming masterful relationships with other species. But unlike us with our cats and dogs, these mutualistic creature companionships are usually essential for both animals’ well being, if not their very survival. Tarantulas and … Continued
