Posts by Matt Ayres
5 easy ways you can help animals by using modern technology
Passionate about helping the world’s most amazing animals? There are all sorts of things you can do, simply, quickly and by using the vast array of modern technology already at your disposal. Smartphones, social media sites and a single click of your computer mouse have all become powerful tools in the fight to save our … Continued
7 near-psychic animals that might just be able to predict disasters before they happen
Whilst precognition, the ability to see future events through extrasensory means, has not been proven in the animal kingdom (or anywhere in the known universe for that matter), anecdotal evidence still suggests that some creatures might react to disasters before they actually take place. Here are 7 powerful predictor species, who seem to be skilled … Continued
8 animals with ridiculously good facial hair
These animals were flaunting beautiful beards and manicured moustaches way before it was cool—even the hippest of hipsters couldn’t hope to match the impeccable facial hair of the emperor tamarin or the majestic markhor. Check out our gallery for some serious beard envy.
10 giant versions of normal-sized animals that will blow your mind
What’s scarier than a cockroach? A cockroach that’s the size of your hand.
10 expressive animals whose faces are trying to tell us something
What a shame it is that animals can’t talk. If endangered or vulnerable species like gorillas and polar bears could explain how deforestation, global warming and other ecological catastrophes are affecting their future survival, perhaps decision makers around the world might act more rapidly to save these incredible creatures. Since they don’t have a voice, … Continued
8 ways to turn your garden into a wildlife sanctuary
You don’t need to go on safari in Africa or venture down into the depths of a South American rainforest to spot amazing animals. Gardens are important ecosystems, filled with a variety of extraordinary creatures. Follow these tips to increase your chances of getting up close and personal with your local wildlife. 1. Hedgehog shelters … Continued
7 amazing facts about gorillas that you probably didn’t know
Next to chimpanzees and bonobos, gorillas are the closest living relatives to humans. They share at least 95% of their DNA with us, and our two species derive from the same common ancestor. Despite this, gorilla populations have been sadly neglected by humans. Habitat loss due to increasing human populations and poaching for the bushmeat … Continued
What would YOU do if the government seized your land?
What would you do if a giant energy corporation decided to build a controversial oil pipeline right across your land? For David Daniel, a Texas landowner and environmentalist whose property was chosen as a construction site for TransCanada’s country-spanning Keystone XL pipeline, there was no question about the right course of action. He had to … Continued
Ever pondered on what the planet's priciest plants might be?
As well as being an essential source of food, oxygen and medicine, plants provide habitats for all kinds of animals, help to regulate our climate and assist the water cycle. There’s no doubt that we need these incredible organisms to survive. However, in the eyes of humans, certain plants are more important than others, and … Continued
7 of the world's smallest (and cutest) wild cats
Bigger doesn’t necessarily mean better. Take these magnificent moggies, for example. From the high-jumping caracal to the quick-digging sand cat, here are the small cats who prove that size isn’t everything.
10 brightly coloured animals that look like they fell out of a rainbow
Mother Nature must have been tripping when she came up with this lot. From flamboyant birds to deadly snakes, meet the insanely colourful critters for whom camouflage probably means hiding in a box of fluorescent crayons.
7 incredible animal migrations
The animal kingdom isn’t averse to travelling great distances to get what it wants. Next time you find yourself moaning about how long it takes you to pop down the shops, consider the struggle of these seven amazing creatures and count yourself lucky you won’t be wading through a crocodile-infested river just to grab your … Continued
‘Problem' predators—The human-wildlife conflicts where nobody wins
As natural habitats around the world are stripped of their natural resources and built upon, local wildlife becomes increasingly threatened by the most dangerous animal of all: humans. Areas that were once wild are turned into villages, towns and agricultural plots. Generations of animals are cleared out, forced to look for homes elsewhere. Those who … Continued
10 of America’s weirdest animals
Thanks to the work of Louis Theroux and other fearless documentarians, we know that America is home to the occasional eccentric human. But what about the world of animals? Surely there are some stateside critters with equally unusual ways of life? You bet. There are all kinds of bizarre animals living in the deserts, rivers and prairies … Continued
This is the devastating reality of the illegal bushmeat trade
Bushmeat—defined as meat that is illegally sourced from wild animals—is a problem that drastically affects wildlife populations around the world. The problem shows no signs of abating: illegal wildlife trade summits often fail to address the issue, focusing instead on more publicly-supported issues such as elephant and rhino conservation. There is no doubt that all … Continued
These everyday animals all have shockingly naughty habits
It’s hard to look at a cow in the same way once you know how much these farm animals fart. Likewise, red foxes don’t seem quite as cute after you’ve heard their chilling human-like screams, and you might not want to feed the ducks after you discover their disturbing gang rape tendencies. A number of … Continued
Why this unassuming ant is considered a prince among insects
In western culture, insects tend to be viewed as pests. There are exceptions, of course—bees who make our honey and ladybirds who keep our gardens aphid-free—but for the most part, minibeasts like flies, wasps and ants are seen as unwanted guests in our otherwise pristine human-centric environments. Not all cultures around the world are so … Continued
6 shocking snake bite survival stories
Snakes are regarded as some of the scariest creatures around, and with stories like the ones you’re about to read, that might be with good reason. Capable of delivering some of the deadliest bites in the animal kingdom, snakes like blue kraits, inland taipans and black mambas are rightly respected for their nerve-affecting venom, which … Continued
Litter picking on Everest: Why the world’s tallest mountain still needs a tidy
With a cloud-piercing 8,848m summit, Everest is seen as the ultimate mountaineering expedition for adventurous climbers around the world. Reaching the top of the world’s highest mountain is a huge achievement—one that many have died attempting due to avalanches, crevice falls, hurricanes, frostbite, pneumonia or sheer exhaustion. When people do reach the summit, getting back down … Continued
Hungry anteater tries to steal food from ducks. Fails epically
Anteaters and ducks aren’t obvious companions, but at the Sunshine Aquarium in Tokyo these very different animals were filmed sharing a hilariously awkward moment together. Hilarious for the ducks, at least. The anteater, a tamandua from South America, seems excited by the prospect of a free buffet in the duck enclosure. Granted, there are no … Continued
Exploring the mesmerising nature of pixel wildernesses
Nature has been extensively explored throughout the history of art, from paintings of woolly mammoths on cave walls to futuristic wilderness walkthroughs via virtual reality headsets. Video games are arguably the most successful medium at recreating nature. These interactive experiences are capable of immersing players in detailed natural worlds, where exploring enormous landscapes can be … Continued
Being mauled by a cheetah hasn’t slowed down Shannon Wild’s passion for wildlife photography
Everyone’s got a dream. For photographer Shannon Wild (real name Shannon Benson), that dream is to capture amazing portraits of wild animals on her camera. Shannon is one of the lucky few whose dream has become a reality. Since relocating to Africa from her native Australia to work full time as a wildlife photographer, she … Continued
7 sacred animals from around the world
We share our planet with all kinds of amazing animals, but a few species have become particularly significant within our cultures and traditions. Whether we adore, admire, fear or respect these animals, each has come to represent an important aspect of humanity and our relationship with the planet. Cow The humble cow is considered … Continued
10 awe-inspiring natural wonders to visit via Google Maps
Nothing beats experiencing nature first hand. Whether you’re standing in the shadows of a vast geological monument, witnessing wild animals up close or soaking up the ambience of some remote untouched wilderness, no one’s yet found a way to fully replicate our planet’s most amazing spectacles through technology. That said, not everyone has the budget … Continued
9 bizarre and ridiculous laws about animals
Law enforcers around the world have come up with some pretty strange rules to keep citizens and their animals in check. While some merely seem outdated, others are baffling enough to make you wonder why they ever existed in the first place. We’ve scoured the records to find some of the world’s weirdest animal laws … Continued
7 reasons to stop being worried about shark attacks
The thought of being attacked by a shark is universally terrifying. Being literally out of your depth in an ocean full of these impressive predators is something most of us try not to think about during a visit to the beach. Indeed it can be enough to put some people off swimming in the sea … Continued
