Posts by Matt Ayres
These unbelievable photos capture the staggering natural landscapes of Utah
America has more than its fair share of famous landscapes. From the sun-drenched coastlines and clifftops of California to the vibrant autumnal forests and shimmering lakes of New England, the US is a country filled with natural wonders. However, of all the amazing landscapes to explore in America, Utah’s might be the most spectacular. This … Continued
Case cracked? The illegal hobby of wild egg collecting
For most birdwatchers, simply seeing a new species is enough to make their day. Getting a photo of a rare or unusual bird is even better. But in years gone by, some individuals have allowed their fascination with birds to grow out of hand and into an immoral, bird-bothering hobby. Egg collecting (sometimes confusingly referred … Continued
We asked an astrophysicist to answer 10 insanely difficult questions about the universe (the answers will blow your mind)
Some of us blindly accept things the way they are. We exist. It doesn’t matter why, we just do. But for others, such as astrophysicist Duncan Meacher, accepting things the way they are without knowing why will never be enough. Alongside a bunch of other incredibly smart people at Penn State University’s department of physics, Duncan’s … Continued
5 things humans will need in order to start colonising space
Anyone who’s seen a few sci-fi films or TV shows knows that living in space has been a dream for generations of people on Earth. But while fictionalised versions of ourselves might be able to thrive in the unfathomably harsh environment of outer space, real humans have got a whole lot to think about before … Continued
This amazing couple take the best underwater photography we've ever seen, and they do it all without scuba gear
Around 95% of the world’s oceans remain unexplored. This is hardly surprising when you think about it: humans have evolved to live on land, and aren’t naturally equipped to reach the deepest sea depths without relying on incredibly high-tech apparatus. And yet, despite the challenges involved in underwater exploration, some brave adventurers have dedicated their lives … Continued
It's Groundhog Day! Here's 7 expressive animals that all look a little like Bill Murray
Bill Murray has a few things in common with the animal kingdom: he’s lovable, fascinating to watch and capable of pulling some fantastic facial expressions when caught off guard. To celebrate Groundhog Day (a holiday synonymous with the famous Bill Murray film of the same name), here are a bunch of kooky creatures who share … Continued
18 life-affirming GIFs of adorable and unlikely animal friendships
When bad stuff happens in the world, sometimes you just need to kick back and watch images of big, cuddly orang-utans playing with ridiculously cute tiger cubs. If that’s not doing it for you, a plucky labrador who’s made friends with an enormous African elephant might. Alternatively, feast your eyes on the various creatures who … Continued
20 of the best animal GIFs on the internet
You’ve probably seen hundreds of cats and dogs doing funny, clever and adorable stuff on the internet. But there are plenty of other animals who also deserve your LOLs, OMGs and awwws. To prove it, we’ve rounded up some of the best animal GIFs from around the web. From peckish sloth babies to hippos swallowing … Continued
This year’s funniest animal photographs have been revealed
An esteemed collection of wildlife experts, photographers and comedians recently assembled in London to answer a pressing question: which animal photo is the funniest? Entrants of the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards were challenged to depict a humorous side in animals that need protecting. Faced with a daunting number of images, the judges eventually made a … Continued
We asked a rainforest conservation expert about the solution to slash and burn farming
Slash and burn farming is a dangerous and unsustainable method of clearing trees to make room for agriculture. As witnessed in Indonesia recently, it can prove catastrophic for rainforest ecosystems containing some of the world’s most remarkable species. But it’s not just animals and plants that these destructive practices affect. Billions of tonnes of carbon … Continued
These endangered Indonesian animals are dying in the worst forest fire on record
People and animals in Indonesia currently face an apocalyptic scenario. Wildfires are ploughing destructive paths through the nation’s islands, producing more carbon dioxide than the entire US economy while polluting the country in a thick and inescapable smog. Similar fires take place every year, with dried-out peat forests intentionally burned to make room for industrial … Continued
7 frightening facts about animal fangs
Vampires and werewolves got you spooked this Halloween? You haven’t seen real fangs until you’ve come face to face with an adult hippopotamus, or felt true fear until you’ve witnessed the deadly toxic-spraying teeth of a spitting cobra. Keep reading for some genuinely frightening facts about the animal kingdom’s gnarliest gnashers. 1. Gaboon vipers fold … Continued
20 extremely cute rabbits from around the web
Happy International Rabbit Day! This bizarre but brilliant occasion is a chance to celebrate the lovable long-eared fluff-balls that bring joy to so many people. It’s also an opportunity to think about how we can protect rabbits from the many ways they’re harmed. This includes hunting, medical experimentation, product testing and fur farming. So as … Continued
Kayakers survive a humpback whale cannonball
This astonishing clip shot from a Monterey whale watching tour boat shows a humpback whale breaching out of the water beside a duo of paddlers, cannonballing right next to their sea kayak and flipping it over. Humpback whales weigh between 30 and 50 tons and are regularly spotted swimming in Monterey Bay, a bustling feeding ground for … Continued
Action camera killers: Lioness takes down a waterbuck
If getting to see a lion stalk its prey on a wildlife documentary wasn’t amazing enough, how about seeing it first hand from a camera mounted on the animal’s back? In this astonishing clip, lion whisperer Kevin Richardson manages to attach a GoPro to a boisterous lioness who promptly takes off running and pounces on … Continued
Octopus steals GoPro (whilst it's still filming)
Eight arms are better than two, as this wild octopus illustrates when it grasps an innocent diver’s video camera and takes off while it’s still shooting footage. After a frenzied underwater chase the camera is eventually retrieved, but the sticky-fingered cephalopod doesn’t seem phased, wrapping itself around a speargun instead and allowing the diver to … Continued
