Here's the real reason hammerhead sharks swim on their sides
A new study has revealed that great hammerhead sharks swim on their sides for up to 90 per cent of the time, and the unusual stroke is employed to conserve energy, not as a sign of distress, disease or injury, as previously thought. The behaviour, which has been noted many times around the world but … Continued
Man's new BFF: The goat
They might not be much good at collecting sticks or fetching the paper, but according to a new study, goats are just as intelligent as dogs and interact with humans in a similar way to canines in order to get what they want. After dogs—a species whose close relationship with humankind dates back further than … Continued
Were dinosaurs dying out before the asteroid apocalypse?
A new study has revealed that dinosaurs were already in serious decline before an asteroid slammed into the side of the planet and finished them off once and for all. From a juncture estimated to be about 220 million years ago, the creatures we know as dinosaurs clawed their collective way to the top of the … Continued
Deer were transported to Scotland's islands 5000 years ago by mysterious Stone Age animal traffickers
The sight of a stag tilting his crown of antlers back and splitting the morning mist with a mighty bellow has become an iconic image of Scotland, much depicted on everything from paintings to mousepads in tourist shops, but according to new research, the red deer in the Highland glens are distinct from those on … Continued
The last unicorn
The skull of a mighty unicorn has just been discovered in Kazakhstan, which has forced scientists to rethink longheld theories about the survival of an extraordinary species, to look again at where it walked the Earth, and reassess how long it could have survived in some regions of the globe. The mythical sounding beast in … Continued
Spatial Awareness—5 years of cosmic exploration and revelation
As a new joint Euro-Russian space mission blasts off on a mission to Mars, to discover whether the planet’s methane is being produced by windy alien microorganisms living just below the red crust, we take a trip through the last five brain-blowing years of space exploration. Over the last half-decade, our understanding of the cosmos … Continued
Why are cockroaches so incredibly hard to kill?
These creepy-crawlies have earned a bad reputation thanks to their invasive nature and knack for spreading disease, but cockroaches are more deserving of our admiration than scorn as they hold an impressive ancestry that dates back over 300 million years. And thanks to their incredible ability to adapt to pretty much anything, they may live … Continued
The muskox's secret to surviving the Arctic cold
Harsh cold and hungry predators are just a few dangers that threaten the muskox’s survival. However, thanks to its thick coat and long horns, this big goat is able to tackle these challenges head on.
Why do bees work together?
When it comes to survival, bees have learned that cooperation is key. Instead of trying to fend for themselves, bees work together for the greater benefit of the hive and exhibit an altruistic behaviour.
Why do zebras have stripes?
Not everyone can agree on why zebras have stripes. Some believe that they help with thermoregulation, while others think the stripes play a role in social interaction. Whatever the reason, we can all agree that the stripes are remarkable and beautiful.
You live on land thanks to this walking fish
Spoiler alert: You were once a fish. No, not recently – we’re talking 400 million years ago, when most animals living on Earth were in the water. It was around this time that Tetrapods, fish with walking limbs, started appearing on land. Millions of years of evolution later, our planet becomes home to a number … Continued
How did giraffes get so tall?
When it comes to height, giraffes have a neck above everyone else. But why did they evolve such long necks and slender legs? How come giraffes need to be so tall? As with many evolutionary adaptations, it has plenty to do with food.
The secret to survival according to green tree frogs
Its red eyes really make this little frog stand out, which is not what you want when predators come calling. So what tricks has this creature learned in order to avoid becoming a snake’s snack? Well—with over 250 million years of evolution under its belt—quite a lot actually. Have a watch of the video to … Continued
How have sharks survived for 400 million years?
Sharks roamed the seas over 400 million years ago, before the dinosaurs. They’ve survived 5 mass extinctions and evolved into a perfect predator. So what has made them so successful?
A bold hyena steals a leopard’s meal … until an elephant interferes
In the high-school cafeteria of the Serengeti, every creature has a well-defined place. But when food is scarce, those niches overlap, leading to interspecies conflicts that often turn bloody. Watch “Africa’s Super Seven” for more of what happens when seven of Africa’s most amazing species face each other in the daily struggle for sustenance.