Story
How Elephants Talk Across the Savanna
Elephants are among the most socially sophisticated animals on the planet, and anyone who studies a herd for long enough begins to sense it. A family
The World of Animals
The extraordinary
The extraordinary
lives of animals.
Species, behaviour, stories and habitats, from the fox in the field to the whale in the deep. A digital atlas of animal life.
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Animal of the Week
Humpback Whale
Megaptera novaeangliae
The humpback whale is one of the ocean's great acrobats, a giant baleen whale famed for its enormous wing-like flippers, its spectacular breaching leaps and the haunting songs of the males. It undertakes some of the longest migrations of…
HabitatOceanDietCarnivore — krill and small schooling fishStatusLeast Concern
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Stories from the Animal World
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Story
Why a small pond turns into a living world
A small pond can blossom into a thriving little world. Even a modest patch of water draws a surprising wealth of life. Within weeks, creatures arrive
Story
Surviving the Arctic Winter
When the sun sets for months and the land locks itself in ice, the animals that remain do not merely endure the dark; they have rewritten their bodies to live inside it.
Wildlife
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Animal Behaviour
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Behaviour
How Owls Rule the Darkness
Owls have inhabited human imagination for thousands of years. Symbols of wisdom and omen, they stir deep feelings. These silent hunters are superbly a
Behaviour
What Your Dog Is Actually Telling You
Dogs are forever communicating with us, even when they make no sound at all. A wag, a glance, a shift of weight all convey meaning to anyone who learn
Behaviour
Wolves and the Cascade That Changed a Valley
Few conservation stories have captured the public imagination like the return of the wolf. When these predators were reintroduced to a long-empty land
Animal Science
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Science
Migration Mysteries: How Animals Find Their Way Across the World
Twice a year, the planet stirs with one of nature's greatest spectacles, as billions of animals undertake journeys of extraordinary length and precisi
Science
The Eternal Journey of the Wildebeest
Each year the plains of the savanna host one of nature's greatest wonders. Vast herds of wildebeest thunder across the grasslands in search of fresh g
Science
The Surprising Communication of Prairie Dogs
Prairie dogs may look like simple rodents, but they hold a surprising secret. These small animals have one of the most complex communication systems i
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Conservation
The Genius in Eight Arms
The octopus may be the closest thing to an alien intelligence we will ever meet on our own planet. Its last common ancestor with humans lived more tha
Conservation
Engineered for speed: the anatomy of the cheetah
The cheetah is the swiftest animal on land by a wide margin. In seconds it can accelerate to highway speeds. No other land creature can approach its b
Conservation
Disappearing creatures and the hope to save them
A species becomes threatened when its numbers dwindle to critical lows. Habitat loss often fuels the decline, leaving scant individuals to recover on
Guides
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Dogs
How to Care for a New Puppy
Everything you need to settle a new puppy into your home with confidence in those first crucial weeks.
Cats
Understanding Your Cat's Body Language
Learn to read the subtle signals cats use to tell you exactly how they feel.
Dogs
Choosing the Right Dog Breed for Your Lifestyle
A practical guide to matching a dog's needs with your home, routine and energy levels.
Dogs
A Beginner's Guide to Basic Dog Training
Simple, kind techniques to teach your dog the essentials and build a lasting bond.