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 birds fly in a V formation?
They have a winning Top Gun-style wingman strategy.
Bat babies are getting bigger than ever. Here’s why
These ‘extreme mammals’ are crucial for the health of the environment, but we've hated them for far too long.
The strange reasons your dog eats grass (and poop)
Don't pretend like your pup hasn't done it.
These adorable whales were caught doing underwater headstands
The giant animals were also caught 'bubble blasting'.
This mysterious gang of killer whales is hunting down and eating dolphins
The animals were then observed sharing the meat with family members.
Octopuses are now punching fish – and we have the footage to prove it
The fisticuffs occur during cooperative hunting trips.
Crossbreed dogs might not be as healthy as you think, study finds
The largest study ever into the health of crossbreeds is busting myths and changing how we think about healthy breeds.
Here's how cats use purring to manipulate humans
To get your attention, your moggy's purrs can mimic a human baby's.
Why do snails move so slowly? Is there an evolutionary advantage to their lack of pace?
They're literally taking life at a snail's pace.
Does my dog love me? Here’s how to know for sure
Sure, they wag their tails to greet us and are happy to snuggle up and watch TV in the evening, but are our beloved pooches actually experiencing the same love for us as we feel for them?
Why do dogs like sticking their heads out of car windows?
They're not just feeling the wind in their fur...
7 of the best cat books to help you understand your feline friend
Animal behaviour expert Dr Zazie Todd recommends seven of the best books on cats.
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.