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
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
Common Bottlenose Dolphin
Tursiops truncatus
The common bottlenose dolphin is the most familiar of all dolphins, celebrated for its intelligence, playfulness and the perpetual 'smile' created by the curve of its jaw. Highly social and adaptable, it is found in warm and temperate se…
HabitatOceanDietPiscivore — fish, squid and crustaceansStatusLeast Concern
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Stories from the Animal World
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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.
Story
A Mother's Migration
Across thousands of miles of open ocean, a humpback whale carries her newborn from warm breeding lagoons to the cold, rich seas that will feed them both.
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
Salmon and the Epic Journey Home
The journey of the salmon is one of nature's most astonishing feats of endurance. Born in freshwater streams, salmon migrate out to the open ocean. Ye
Science
The Hidden World of the Living Reef
A coral reef is one of the most crowded places on earth, a rainforest beneath the sea. Though they cover a minute fraction of the ocean floor, reefs s
Science
Richest seas on Earth: the Coral Triangle
In the warm waters of the western Pacific sits a marine marvel. Known as the Coral Triangle, it is the heart of ocean biodiversity. Nowhere else conta
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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
Conservation
The hidden intelligence of the animal mind
Cleverness in animals takes many forms. Certain creatures solve problems, use tools, or remember the past. These feats upend old assumptions about the
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.