Pretty poison: 6 of nature’s deadliest assassins
Pick up the wrong seashell on the ocean floor or accidentally brush up against an expertly camouflaged caterpillar and, unfortunately, you’ll be dead within minutes. Beautiful bright yellow frogs measuring just a few centimetres long pack enough poison in their skin to kill 10 adult humans, and one species of ordinary-looking bugs ‘kisses’ its human … Continued
10 animals still hunted for debunked healing properties
To date scientists have managed to isolate over 12,000 different plant compounds, hundreds of which are utilised in modern medicine. In stark contrast, not one single useful compound has ever been identified in the body parts of the endangered species that are hunted for use in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Even so, TCM remains a … Continued
7 near-psychic animals that might just be able to predict disasters before they happen
Whilst precognition, the ability to see future events through extrasensory means, has not been proven in the animal kingdom (or anywhere in the known universe for that matter), anecdotal evidence still suggests that some creatures might react to disasters before they actually take place. Here are 7 powerful predictor species, who seem to be skilled … Continued
Why do some animals exhibit homosexual behaviour?
Once dismissed as a scientific anomaly, a growing body of research suggests that homosexual behaviour is surprisingly common throughout the natural world. According to Petter Bøckman, Zoologist and Lecturer at the Natural History Museum in Oslo, ‘homosexual behaviour has been observed in over 1,500 species’ and the list includes ‘lions, wolves, deer, seagulls, elephants, monkeys, … Continued
Life with latitude: The great puzzle of biogeography
Mention the tropics and you’ll likely imagine vast rainforests teeming with wildlife. With over 300 species of tree per hectare in Panama (there’s less than half of that in the whole of Canada!) and more than 1800 species of birds in Colombia, it’s clear the tropics are bursting at the seams with plant and animal … Continued
8 animals with ridiculously good facial hair
These animals were flaunting beautiful beards and manicured moustaches way before it was cool—even the hippest of hipsters couldn’t hope to match the impeccable facial hair of the emperor tamarin or the majestic markhor. Check out our gallery for some serious beard envy.
Have you heard about the mystery of the Zuiyo-maru?
Early on the 25th of April, 1977, a Japanese fishing vessel named the Zuiyo-maru was trawling for mackerel, around 30 miles off the New Zealand coast. Little did they know that entangled in their nets, over 300m below the surface, was something far larger and more mysterious than its normal catch—something that would set the scientific … Continued
Lovers for life? The secret world of animal cheats
Think you love someone? Want to spend the rest of your life with them and raise lots and lots of cute kids? Sorry, that might be exactly what your genes want you to think. Monogamy is a strategy, and for species where the young are vulnerable or take a long time to mature then it’s … Continued
The secret language of plants
The evidence is mounting that as a species we are uniquely horrible listeners. But by being self-absorbed, we may be missing a lot of what’s going on around us including—it seems—plant chatter. Susan Dudley, an evolutionary ecologist from Ontario’s McMaster University has been studying the unique behaviour of flora for nearly three decades, but even … Continued
The 6 kung fu kings of the animal kingdom
Even if you’re a martial arts master yourself there are creatures in the animal kingdom you could never hope to beat in a sparring match. From kangaroos that balance on their tails to weaponize both legs at once, to birds that can slice you open with a single flick of their legs—these six species have … Continued
Beyond X and Y: The strange world of sex strategy in the animal kingdom
For the most part our biological sex is decided by the combination of our genes. As a species we have two types of sex chromosomes—X and Y—which pair together as XX for women and XY for men. But across the vast spectrum of life, the essential processes of sex and reproduction can get a whole … Continued
10 animals that are being eaten to extinction in the 21st century
Around 2 million years ago our ancestors first began the act of purposefully hunting and killing animals in the grasslands of Africa for food. Coincidentally, the fossil record shows that it was around this time that our brains and bodies grew in size—quite possibly fuelled by our new diet—and it wasn’t long (evolutionarily speaking) before … Continued
10 giant versions of normal-sized animals that will blow your mind
What’s scarier than a cockroach? A cockroach that’s the size of your hand.
When evolution goes haywire: 5 examples of maladaptation in the animal kingdom
Many people perceive evolution as a process that continually creates improvement, making animals ever bigger, faster and stronger. However this is not always the case. During sexual reproduction random genetic mutations can occur—some of these mutations cause changes that adapt the animal for optimal survival in its environment. Some changes may be neutral, but some … Continued
10 species we know almost absolutely nothing about
From giant canopy-dwelling stick insects, to a mysterious spiny anteater in the Cyclops Mountains, onto otherworldly tentacles in the deepest depths of the ocean buried; there are plenty of species that we know almost nothing about, despite our best efforts. In some cases, the species is almost certainly extinct and just a handful of remaining … Continued
Strange creatures: the wonderpus octopus
Humans have fingerprints, the elusive wonderpus octopus has white spots on its head and is distinctive to each. Also known as wunderpus photogenicus, this remarkable creature has three hearts and jet propulsion-like strength. Octupuses are great problem solvers and can even open bottles.
Strange creatures: the grunt sculpin
The grunt sculpin got its name not from how it looks, but from the sound it makes. It has a massive head that makes up half of its body size and even though it’s technically a fish, it doesn’t have scales. Rather, it has small plates which are covered in tiny spines for armour.
Meet Vanessa, the fastest woman to climb the highest mountain on each continent
Vanessa O’Brien is a British-American mountaineer, explorer, public speaker and former business executive. She’s the fastest woman in the world to have climbed the Seven Summits—the highest mountain on each continent—and has also skied the last degree (60 nautical miles) to both the North and South Poles. We caught up with the ever-enthusiastic ex-banker to hear … Continued
Chilli seeds and light aircraft—Latest update from GRI
Love Nature’s charity partner Game Rangers International have just launched an exciting new project in the south of Kafue National Park, combining women’s empowerment with human-elephant conflict mitigation. District Community Officer Britius Munkombwe trained the Shanangoma Women’s Group to sow and propagate chilli seeds, and to start their own chilli nursery. The majority of mature chilli … Continued
How do you stop a legendary Japanese wildcat from becoming roadkill?
Since big cats get the lion’s share of fame worldwide, you may have never heard of the Iriomote cat, also known as the Iriomote–yamaneko. The size of a large house cat, this cryptic and resourceful wild feline exists only on a tiny Japanese island and numbers a mere 100 or so individuals. Whether or not … Continued
Strange creatures: the peacock mantis
The peacock mantis, like other mantises, can rotate its head 180 degrees because of a flexible joint between its head and thorax. This is great for hunting as is its two large compound eyes that give a wide field of vision. Its ear, on the other hand, and that’s singular, is on the underside of … Continued
Countries commit to protecting 30 per cent of the world's seas by 2030, but is it enough?
In the wake of President Obama’s recent creation of the largest protected marine area on the planet off Hawaii, an international coalition of governments and NGOs attending the World Conservation Congress have this week committed to officially safeguarding a third of all the world’s oceans by 2030. Currently, less than four per cent of Earth’s … Continued
Strange creatures: the stag beetle
Their bark is worse than their bite. Although the male jaws of a stag beetle can be half of its overall body length, its mostly for show. The real fight is between males of the same type when competing for a suitable dead tree or stump for females to lay eggs.
Bring on the beach! 5 nature-friendly activities for the whole family to enjoy
The beach is where sea, sky and land intersect and where families come together. It’s got something for everyone: open space to stretch your legs, living things to inspire curiosity, wind and waves to ignite the senses, breathtaking views to soothe the soul. It’s where the inner child in everyone is free to come out … Continued
Baby animals: Bactrain camels
Bactrain camels are made for the desert. Literally. Their large, even-toed feet allow for steady footing in uneven terrain in central Asian deserts. They even have extra eyelashes, can close their nostrils, and have hair-lined ears all for protection during sandstorms.
Strange creatures: stick insects
The giant stick insect may not have usable wings, a stinger, or even bite, but its special ability to disguise itself among trees and plants is unbelievable. Covered in defensive spines in case of an attack, the stick insect can curl its tail to appear as if its a scorpion and the females have a … Continued