Animal behaviour
Animals do the strangest things. Why do dogs eat grass and cats bring their owners dead birds? Zoologists look to animals' behaviour to understand them. Can they think, laugh, love, grieve? Do they use tools? Are they solitary or do they live in communities with complex hierarchies? The most practical application of studying animal behaviour is simple: knowing how a certain animal normally behaves is indispensable when creating a happy and comfortable home for a pet or zoo animal.
Why do dogs like sticking their heads out of car windows?
They're not just feeling the wind in their fur...
101 random fun facts that will blow your mind
Our collection of the best interesting trivia covers animals, biology, geography, space and much more.
Instant Genius Podcast | How animals speak to each other
Fun fact: Dolphins give themselves names.
How to tell if your cat is actually happy, explained by a feline body language expert
Dr Zazie Todd unpacks how to decipher what your kitty may really be feeling.
Why does my dog give me side eye?
Dogs showing the whites of their eyes – side eye – is a behavioural quirk our ancestors may have inadvertently bred for during domestication.
4 crucial questions about dog psychology, answered by an expert
We unpack a quartet of important queries about your pooch.
Dog years to human years: Here's how old your dog actually is
Dog math is a popular concept, suggesting your dog is rapidly ageing at seven years compared to our one. But how true is this?
6 simple ways to instantly improve your dog’s life, according to science
A steak? A permanent place on the sofa? On open car window to lean out of during a long drive? What's most likely to make your dog jump for joy?
The (completely adorable) ways dogs know exactly how you’re feeling
Ever get the feeling your dog knows what you’re thinking? It might be because they’re picking up on cues you didn’t realise you were transmitting.
Secrets of the butt sniff: The hidden data dogs gather during a canine handshake
Dogs will happily put their noses in some unpleasant places. So what are they expecting to find out from them?
Care about animals? Then you need to stop treating them like humans
A recent encounter between sailors and killer whales highlights the need for deeper understanding of the natural world.
This adorable ‘Octopus Garden’ was discovered on deep ocean volcano
Ringo’s warm hideaway beneath the waves was real all along.
Bizarre invasive pore fungus photo wins global competition
The winning images showcase the wonders of the natural world.
These very polite fish form queues in emergencies, new study finds
That’s what you get for not being shellfish.
Top 10 smartest animals in the world
Animal intelligence is a difficult thing to judge, but it’s clear we aren’t the only smart species roaming this Earth.
Why do beavers build dams?
No, beavers don't actually live in dams – but they still serve a special purpose.
A conga line of 80 worms was caught jumping on a bee’s bum using an electric field
These tiny acrobats are on their way to the A Bugs Life circus.
Is Bigfoot real? Why people believe in the Sasquatch
Here's everything you need to know about Sasquatch.
Here’s the real reason your dog gives that ‘guilty look’
Sometimes dog owners fall into the trap of interpreting their pets’ actions in human terms.
The T.rex was a massive coward – and we have the footage to prove it
According to Apple TV+'s Prehistoric Planet, the Tyrannosaurus rex was more than willing to run from a fight.
Always bugged by mosquitos? Blame your body odour
Researchers built an ice-rink-sized arena in Zambia to learn more about how mosquitos choose their victims. Think Hunger Games, but with mosquitos.
Women have more resilient body clocks than men, new study suggests
Men are more likely to have health issues that can lead to heart disease and stroke if they misalign their body clocks, according to new research.
The strange reasons your dog eats grass (and poop)
Don't pretend like your pup hasn't done it.
This cyborg fish is teaching us how your brain handles navigation
That hat though.