Posts by Matt Ayres

The ingenious technology being used to prevent wildlife roadkill

  Wildlife and cars just don’t mix. As human populations continue to encroach on important animal habitats, the construction of roads means that more species are getting hit by vehicles than ever before. And animals aren’t the only ones who need to be worried—high speed collisions with large creatures can also prove fatal to drivers … Continued

10 surprisingly easy New Year’s resolutions that'll help save the planet

When the new year rolls around and you start planning your resolutions, don’t settle for half-baked fitness goals and unrealistic work targets. By committing to just a few small life changes, you could make a real difference to the future of our planet. Have a green 2017 by taking on these simple but environmentally-friendly New … Continued

The 12 creatures of Christmas

Why is Santa’s sleigh powered by reindeer? Are partridges actually found in pear trees? And what on Earth do kangaroos have to do with the holidays? We associate a lot of animals with the festive period, but have you ever stopped to wonder why? If so, wonder no more—we’ve dug around and found out the … Continued

We asked a genetics expert whether woolly mammoths could be brought back from the dead

The idea of bringing an extinct creature back from the dead is a seemingly ludicrous one. After all, if there are no creatures of a particular species left to reproduce, how can humans possibly expect to play God and resurrect them? For generations this has been an idea reserved for sci-fi literature and CGI-laden blockbusters. … Continued

We asked some Neuroparasitologists about the tiny critters that turn animals into zombies

Mindless, wandering creatures whose only remaining purpose in life is to serve their parasitic hosts. No, not the terrifying subject of a new George A. Romero flick, but a genuine natural occurrence caused by fiendish little organisms that have evolved brain-controlling abilities in order to survive. Neuroparasitology is the scientific study of parasites that control … Continued

18 powerful GIFs of wild animals in their natural habitats

It’s one thing seeing an animal in a zoo, but an entirely different spectacle seeing the creature in its own wild environment. Indeed, the reason we find nature documentaries so alluring is the opportunity to witness an animal thriving on its own terms; living in a world that it has become perfectly attuned to thanks … Continued

Are these the most valuable birds in Britain?

While there are multiple definitions of what makes something valuable, there’s no denying the fact that certain wild animals are viewed more fondly by the public than others. For example, there are approximately 600 wild species of bird found throughout Great Britain, each with their own unique evolutionary traits and survival skills. Many people pick … Continued

We asked an economist whether it’s a good idea to put a price on nature

  If you’re anything like us, you occasionally feel dwarfed by the incomprehensible awesomeness of the natural world. Our planet contains some incredible environments, inhabited by thousands of perfectly-adapted species—with such wonders surrounding us, it might seem vulgar to think of nature as a commodity that humans can put a price tag on. Yet in … Continued

We asked an evolution expert what will happen to humanity after the apocalypse

It’s been portrayed in fiction, films, TV shows and video games. But if and when the apocalypse finally descends upon our humble Earth, what will actually happen to everyone? Will our great-great-great-grandkids survive a meteor collision like the one that killed the dinosaurs, or perish while a new species takes over? Could a few survivors … Continued

5 killer animals less dangerous than taking a selfie

Think of Earth’s deadliest killers, and the same animals always seem to spring to mind. Sharks, bears, alligators; these are the creatures that we consistently mark out as Mother Nature’s most bloodthirsty beasts. Look at the stats, however, and you’ll realise that these sharp-toothed megafauna aren’t half as deadly as we make them out to … Continued

These 5 zombie-like animals have disturbingly evil habits

You don’t need to watch horror films to witness some of nature’s nightmares. Indeed there are real monsters out there committing gruesome and zombie-like acts of gore on their fellow animals each and every day. From brain-eating birds to tongue-stealing bugs, these grim creatures have developed a variety of disturbing behaviours, guaranteed to make your … Continued

20 dressed-up animals who are winning Halloween

Trick or treat! These adorably costumed creatures seem to be rather excited for Halloween. Their outfits are more likely to cause shrieks of joy than screams of terror, but all of them deserve animal-friendly treats for their impressive efforts at being spectacularly spooky. Normally we’d say the old-sheet-with-holes ghost costume is a lazy option for … Continued

Animals that get drunk, stoned or high

From bears to bats, a whole range of animals have discovered the dangerous vices of alcohol and drugs. Most manage to find their narcotics naturally in the wild, although some have unfortunately found human substances to be more effective at getting them high. We don’t necessarily condone the unhealthy habits of these substance-abusing beasts, but … Continued

Animal Overlords: 5 creatures that keep their own pets

Humans aren’t the only ones to keep pets, you know. All sorts of animals from right around the world have been spotted forming masterful relationships with other species. But unlike us with our cats and dogs, these mutualistic creature companionships are usually essential for both animals’ well being, if not their very survival. Tarantulas and … Continued