Nature fights back: 8 abandoned places reclaimed by the wild
We don’t have to wonder what the world might look like if humans were to go extinct, leaving behind the ruins of our civilizations to be retaken by nature. Hundreds of abandoned sites around the world give us a glimpse of what would happen after our own potential demise, with trees, vines and all manner … Continued
Nature’s most extreme camouflage: 8 masters of disguise
Mother Nature’s masters of disguise are hardly limited to chameleons—there’s an entire dazzling array of animals that boast impressive camouflage capabilities. Some release pigments into the outer layer of their skin via a process so complex, scientists don’t yet fully understand it, while others have evolved to look just like their chosen homes in flowers … 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
Scared of snakes? Here’s 11 places you wouldn’t want to visit
It seems that snakes have never been a particularly popular member of the animal kingdom to us humans, and for good reason. Nearly 600 members of the Serpentes suborder are venomous—which when combined with their generally camouflaged appearance and startlingly strike speed if disturbed—mean they’re one of the few animals that can land you in … Continued
10 of the world’s most threatened cats
We all know and love Africa’s large savannah cats or Asia’s iconic Tigers, but did you know that the felid family extends far beyond the classic ‘Big Six’ (Cheetah, Lion, Jaguar, Tiger, Leopard Snow and Leopard)? In fact it contains at least 38 known species, spread right across the planet’s temperate and tropical regions. Once … Continued
5 amazing spectacles of nature
As the enigmatic Jeff Goldblum once said in the iconic 90s cinema classic Jurassic Park: ‘life finds a way’. No matter how hard the challenge, how far the distance, how tough the conditions, our planet’s fauna keep soldiering on, in a world where half of all wildlife has disappeared over the last 40 years. A … 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
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.
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.
9 totally terrific facts about sharks
No matter how frightened you may be of the ocean’s ultimate hunter there’s really no escaping how awesome and awe-inspiring these animals are. With more than 465 known species, sharks are the top of their food chain, apex predators just likes us. But they’ve been around a lot, lot, longer—thought to have originated some 300 … Continued
10 expressive animals whose faces are trying to tell us something
What a shame it is that animals can’t talk. If endangered or vulnerable species like gorillas and polar bears could explain how deforestation, global warming and other ecological catastrophes are affecting their future survival, perhaps decision makers around the world might act more rapidly to save these incredible creatures. Since they don’t have a voice, … Continued
10 of the most fascinating lakes on Earth
Forget the mighty thundering oceans, lakes are the entities that show off water’s most mesmerizing qualities the best. From crystal clear clarity, to the vivid vibrancy of hundreds of different hues and colours, these self-contained fresh and saltwater expanses are found right across the planet, even in Antartica. Representing such great diversity, from the littlest … Continued
7 of the world's smallest (and cutest) wild cats
Bigger doesn’t necessarily mean better. Take these magnificent moggies, for example. From the high-jumping caracal to the quick-digging sand cat, here are the small cats who prove that size isn’t everything.
Creature currency: Nature’s most beloved beasts, as illustrated on the humble banknote
Currency. Every society (more or less) uses it, but have you ever stopped to stare at the amazing array of creatures that are detailed on the back of those crumpled pieces of paper (and now, plastic) we stuff into our pockets and wallets each week? From the Philippines’ pikoy, to Bermuda’s bluebird, onto the splendid … Continued
10 brightly coloured animals that look like they fell out of a rainbow
Mother Nature must have been tripping when she came up with this lot. From flamboyant birds to deadly snakes, meet the insanely colourful critters for whom camouflage probably means hiding in a box of fluorescent crayons.
Inside the lofty realm of the regal sea-eagles
From the wintery depths of bleakest Siberia, to the secluded seaside coves of north-west Scotland, an iconic bird of prey has been making an incredible comeback. For the two centuries preceding the 1970s, white-tailed eagles had been undergoing dramatic decline and local extinctions across many regions of western, central and southern Europe. But come the 1980s, the … Continued
Neon nightmares: 6 creepy critters that glow in the dark
Pretty little stars glimmering up in the night’s sky actually turn out to be ghoulish worms dangling from strands of mucus just above your head. What appears to glowing blue sphere shining out from the blackest reaches of the ocean floor in fact a ghastly fish with razor-sharp teeth. Here are bioluminescent creatures almost alien-like … Continued
28 facts about echidnas you may not know
What is an echidna? They’re like a cross between an ant-eater and a hedgehog, with their long snout noses and quills. However, echidnas are not closely related to either animal and pretty much stand alone as one of two egg-laying mammals on Earth (the other being the platypus). So what exactly makes the echidna so … Continued
19 facts about frilled-neck lizards you may not have known
The frilled-neck lizard may be one of Australia’s most iconic reptiles. Named after the flappy collar that folds around their neck, this lizard thrives in northern parts of Australia, and southern parts of New Guinea, where it hangs out high up in the treetops. Check out some fun facts about these reptiles above!
18 facts about narwhals you probably didn't know
Narwhals have to be one of the most fascinating marine mammals in the sea. Often called the “unicorns of the sea”, these whales are characterized by a long tusk that protrudes from the left side of the upper jaw. This tusk is an elongated canine tooth, and contains millions of nerve endings which helps the … Continued
Destination spotlight: Sausages grow on trees in Botswana
Producers Barend van der Watt and Henk Ekermans have been busy traveling across Africa to capture footage for the upcoming series, Rooted. They recently visited the Selinda Reserve in northern Botswana to film the incredible sausage trees, and the wildlife that relies on these plants for shelter and food. Take a look at some of … Continued
From grey to gold: 6 amazing species of wolf
Humans share a long history with wolves. As some of the most iconic and successful predators on the planet, large canids feature prominently in many cultures, and in the case of domestic dogs—many households. Due to their huge territories and social behaviours, it was thought that people were aware of all species of wolf living … Continued
25 facts about the giraffe gazelle you probably didn't know
The giraffe gazelle, or gerenuk, is a long-necked species of antelope found in the deserts of East Africa. If it’s not obvious to you by now, their most distinguishing characteristic is their extremely long necks. They also have long and slender legs, which gives them an advantage when outrunning prey.
Destination Spotlight: The Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve
Welcome to the Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve in Zimbabwe, Africa. Producers Barend van der Watt and Henk Ekermans were recently there to film the baobab trees and the species who call these massive plants their home. The reserve itself is home to a number of species, including Africa’s big five: The lion, the elephant, the Cape … Continued
24 facts about tanukis you may not know
Fans of Super Mario Bros. may recognize the name ‘tanuki’ as a suit donned by the titular hero in the third instalment of the game franchise. Others may know these creatures to be nothing more than myth, as they have a significant presence in Japanese folklore. Despite how you heard about them, we assure you … Continued