World_of_Animals_Issue_47_2017

12 of the best butterfly spots around the globe 

TM 

naTUre’s 

secreTs 

newts 

VUlTUres 

CroCodiles 

Pigs 

the rise of the eagle 

how the us brought the MaJestiC bald eagle baCK froM the brinK 

swimming wiTh 

sharKs 

CLOWNFISH 

and 10 oTher animals ThaT form UnUsUal friendshiPs 

getting up Close to these inCredible predators 

awesome 

gifTs 

you need this 

summeR! 

Killer 

whales 

All about the ocean’s 

most feared predator 

TalKing 

birds 

How do birds mimic 

human speech? 

secreT 

swimmers 

6 animals you never 

knew made a splash 

wildlife 

of a farm 

How farms became 

wildlife habitats 

23 

things you didn’t know 

about the red panda 

ISSUE 47 PRINTED IN THE UK £4.99 

Digital Edition 

GreatDigitalMags.com

Welcome 

Have you ever seen an 

Egyptian plover bird 

inside a crocodile’s mouth 

and wondered why it 

was standing in the jaws 

of death? This is what’s 

known as a symbiotic 

relationship. Instead 

of eating the bird, the crocodile actually 

benefits from keeping the plover alive. This 

is because this courageous bird cleans the 

reptile’s teeth. Turn to page 12 to find out 

what other odd animal pairs can be found 

scratching each other’s backs in the wild. 

Just like humans, when animals aren’t 

making friends they are looking for ways to 

look good, normally to attract a mate. From 

intoxicating fragrances to finding the right 

outfit, we take a look at the unique ways 

in which animals like to dress to impress or 

lather up to fight off a rival on page 24. 

Also in this issue, learn all about killer 

whales, why birds can mimic human speech, 

and where to see butterflies around the 

globe. And if you’re feeling brave, we’ll go 

swimming with sharks! Enjoy the issue! 

Zara Gaspar 

Editor 

Editor’s picks 

Cat-like killers 

Have you ever heard of a genet 

or a civet? These cat-like 

species are carnivores that, 

like cats, also belong to the 

Feliformia order. But they’re not 

cats at all, instead belonging to 

the Viverridae family. Find out 

why they’re unique on page 44. 

The golden age of eagles 

This month, we’ve got another 

conservation success story for 

you. Turn to page 58 to discover 

why conservationist Dr Brian 

Watts says this is a “golden 

age” for bald eagles and find 

out how this majestic bird is 

making a comeback. 

Meet the team… 

© Thinkstock 

Lauren Debono-Elliot 

Designer 

The very trusting plover will hop 

inside a crocodile’s mouth and 

clean its teeth! See some other 

unusual friendships on page 12. 

Charlie Ginger 

Production Editor 

Would you dive in with the sharks 

on page 46? I’d love to think I’d go 

swimming with a tiger shark, but 

I think I’ll admire them from afar. 

Tim Hunt 

Picture Editor 

Red pandas are pretty fascinating 

creatures! Head over to page 56 

to learn about some of their most 

interesting qualities. 

Want to read the 

magazine online? 

Download the Future 

Folio app on the 

Apple store. 

Follow us at… @WorldAnimalsMag worldofanimalsmag 

Find out how far the monarch 

butterfly migrates on page 36 

Visit www.animalanswers.co.uk for 

Exclusive competitions Hilarious GIFs 

Upload your photos and win prizes! 

3

Welcome to Issue 47 

06 Amazing animals 

12 Unlikely friendships 

Clownfish and 10 of the oddest 

creature double acts found in 

the animal kingdom 

18 Talking birds 

How do parrots and cockatoos 

mimic human speech? 

24 Nature’s 

beauty secrets 

We’re not the only ones 

who like to look good 

30 Surprising 

swimmers 

Six animals you never 

knew made a splash 

36 Explore the Earth: 

Chasing butterflies 

The ultimate guide to seeing 

these winged wonders 

44 Cat-like killers 

From meerkats to mongooses, 

we meet some feisty little 

feline-like hunters 

46 Swimming 

with sharks 

How to get up close to these 

incredible apex predators 

56 Red pandas 

We have 23 red panda facts 

that will make you look at 

these critters differently 

58 Conserving 

bald eagles 

How the people of America 

saved this iconic bird 

64 An uncertain future 

Could Brexit have grave 

consequences for the 

great crested newt? 

69 Lost forever: 

bubal hartebeest 

How this once revered 

antelope became extinct 

70 All about orcas 

Learn all about the ocean’s 

most feared predator 

81 Bizarre: sarcastic 

fringehead 

The terrifying fish 

with a ferocious jaw 

82 Wildlife of a farm 

Meet the wild inhabitants 

of farmlands 

86 Remembering 

rhinos 

Check out the winners of 

the Remembering Rhinos 

competition 

88 Web slingers 

Amazing spider skills 

82 

30 

24 

The IUCN red lIsT 

Throughout World of Animals you will see 

symbols like the ones listed below. These 

are from the IUCN Red List of Threatened 

Species, the most comprehensive inventory 

of the global conservation status of animal 

species in the world. Here’s what they mean: 

exTINCT 

exTINCT IN THe WILd 

CRITICALLy eNdANgeRed 

eNdANgeRed 

VULNeRABLe 

NeAR THReATeNed 

LeAST CoNCeRN 

88 

4

90 Keeping in touch 

12 

UNLIKELY 

FRIENDSHIPS 

SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIPS FROM THE ANIMAL KINGDOM 

36 

94 Readers’ Q&A 

96 Creature comforts 

70 

58 64 

Enjoyed 

the issue? 

Subscribe now 

and save 25% 

Page 92 

5

The amazing world of animals 

6


This bluebell bulb and plant look gigantic in the 

paws of this tiny mouse, apparently offering up 

the flower as a gift 

Mice do not hibernate during the colder months, but nevertheless, it 

can feel like they suddenly appear when spring hits, motivated by the 

new growth of the season. In the wild, mice are typically herbivorous, 

snacking on grain and fruit from plants, but some species will eat meat. 

© Solent News/REX/Shutterstock 

7


© Andy Rouse/Nature Picture Library 

An Alaskan grizzly bear looks a little embarrassed 

as it poses with a paw over its face 

One of the largest species of bear in North America, the grizzly bear (or 

North American brown bear) is an intimidating creature to come across. 

When subsisting on a diet of fatty wild salmon, grizzlies in Alaska and 

British Columbia can weigh up to a massive 600kg (1,322lb). 

8


A common buzzard and a much larger buzzard 

engage in a short squabble over meat during a 

lean Bulgarian winter 

Common buzzards have a large range that covers most of Europe and 

extends into Asia. Buzzards don’t form flocks, so any interaction outside 

of mating can be fraught with danger. Scratching with talons scares an 

opponent away and asserts the dominance of the winning bird. 


9


10


An inquisitive squirrel savours the scent of 

springtime in a Swedish back garden 

The red squirrel may be threatened in the UK and Ireland thanks to the 

arrival of the eastern grey squirrel from North America in the 1870s, but 

elsewhere in mainland Europe and Asia the species still thrives. They 

are most often found in coniferous woods where pine and spruce grow, 

eating seeds, nuts and berries. 


11

IT TAKES TWO 

CLOWNFISH 

AND 10 OTHER ANIMALS THAT FORM UNUSUAL FRIENDSHIPS 

Nature is filled with intriguing and unusual examples 

of interspecies friendship. Meet the animals who 

understand the benefits of working together 

Words Matt Ayres 

Symbiosis 

Species that rely on another species for their survival are described as symbiotic. There are three types of symbiosis 

Mutualism 

A relationship where both organisms 

benefit from their association. 

Example 

Honey bees feed on nectar from 

flowers, which helps the flowers 

reproduce through pollination. 

Commensalism 

A relationship where one animal 

benefits and the other is unaffected. 

Example 

Cattle egrets choose to live alongside 

cows, which attract insects for the 

birds to feed on. 

Parasitism 

A relationship where one animal 

benefits and the other is harmed. 

Example 

Fleas feed on the blood of mammals, 

which causes itching and can also 

spread disease. 

12

It takes two 

Clownfish 

Amphiprion ocellaris 

Class Actinopterygii 

Territory Indian and Pacific 

Ocean 

Diet Zooplankton and scraps 

lifespan 6-10 years 

Adult weight 250g (8.8oz) 

Conservation status 

Not evaluated 

© Alamy; Thinkstock 

13

It takes two 

The species Lysmata 

amboinensis is also 

known as the skunk 

cleaner shrimp 

Clownfish live 

in anemones 

and feed on 

their waste 

These vibrant fish have become 

immune to the anemone’s toxic sting, 

leading to multiple mutual benefits 

Clownfish have been icons of the coral reef 

since long before Pixar’s ocean-spanning 

animated epic Finding Nemo made 

them stars of the big screen. However, 

the film did shine a spotlight on one of 

this attractive orange fish’s most unique 

characteristics – its dependence on the sea 

anemone for survival. 

Sea anemones are predators that attach 

themselves to rocks and coral permanently, 

using their poisonous tentacles to paralyse 

fish foolhardy enough to swim too close. 

While this doesn’t sound like a particularly 

safe place to live for small swimming 

creatures, the clownfish has a trick for 

survival – it’s resistant to the anemone’s 

deadly sting. 

Over time, the clownfish has developed 

immunity to an anemone’s paralysing 

toxins. By making a home within the 

predator’s tentacles, the clownfish gains 

protection from larger fish, as well as 

food scraps left over from whenever the 

anemone ensnares its prey. 

In return, sea anemones gain a handy 

cleaning service in the form of hungry 

clownfish, who eagerly gobble up dead 

tentacles and leftover lunch before it goes 

stale. The clownfish also serve as live bait 

for other fish, tempting in other species 

until they’re close enough to be struck with 

the harpoon-like nematocysts on the ends 

of the anemone’s tentacles. 

Benefits to 

clownfish: 

• Provides a home 

• Protection from 

predators 

• Source of food 

Benefits to 

anemone: 

• Cleans and removes parasites 

• Fish waste provides nutrients 

• Fin movements help to 

circulate oxygen 

14

It takes two 

ClEAnEr shriMP 

Lysmata amboinensis 

Class Malacostraca 

Territory Indian and Pacific 

Ocean 

Diet Parasites and dead tissue 




Not evaluated 

Cleaner shrimps 

provide moray eels 

with a valuable 

cleaning service 

These resourceful crustaceans have come up with an 

ingenious way to win the respect of predatory fish 

Another example of underwater symbiosis can be 

observed in the unlikely alliance between cleaner 

shrimps and moray eels. Despite being a fierce-looking 

and notoriously successful coral reef predator, the 

moray is willing to sacrifice the occasional meal in 

return for a personal grooming service, courtesy of the 

entrepreneurial cleaner shrimp. 

These clever crustaceans have worked out the trick 

to surviving in one of the ocean’s most hotly contested 

ecosystems. By setting up designated ‘cleaning stations’ 

throughout the reef for large fish such as moray eels to 

take advantage of, the shrimp contributes to the welfare 

of its neighbours, whose dependence on regular cleaning 

results in an agreeable truce between predator and 

potential prey. Moray eels rarely succumb to eating the 

shrimp, and even allow the critters to crawl into their 

mouths for oral hygiene purposes. 

Some species of cleaner shrimp, such as the barber 

pole shrimp, advertise their services with bright colours 

and patterns – a telltale sign that other fish should 

avoid eating them if they want to continue enjoying the 

convenience of free preening. As well as avoiding an early 

death, the shrimp is paid for its cleaning duties in food 

such as algae and parasites, which would otherwise affect 

the health of their hosts. 

Pistol shrimps use gobies as visual guides 

To overcome their poor eyesight pistol shrimps call upon a fellow ocean dweller 

Shrimps appear to be the masters of mutualism. The 

pistol shrimp is known for its partnership with the 

brightly-coloured gobies of the Indo-Pacific. Despite 

being famous as one of the loudest animals in the world 

(its powerful pincers slam together with enough force to 

create a sound exceeding 200 decibels), these scuttling 

seabed creatures are practically blind and therefore 

need a buddy to look out for them. 

The pistol shrimp has a habit of making its burrows 

in dangerously exposed lagoons and reef edges. This, 

combined with poor eyesight, means that it requires 

help when it comes to staying safe in the predatorinfested 

ocean. Luckily, there’s a species of local fish 

that specialises in pistol shrimp protection: gobies. 

These fish act as watchmen, wildly flicking their tails to 

alert shrimps whenever a predator approaches. 

By maintaining close contact with a goby, the pistol 

shrimp benefits from the keen senses of its friend. 

In return, the goby is allowed to sleep in the pistol 

shrimp’s conveniently located burrow, as well as using 

the expertly excavated cubbyhole as a hiding place 

whenever its own enemies come looking for lunch. 

© Yann Hubert/Biosphoto/FLPA; Thinsktock; RGB Ventures/SuperStock/Alamy 

15

It takes two 

Remoras rely on sharks 

for travel and protection 

These skin-grabbing suckerfish are more than mere parasites 

If there was a prize for laziest animal in the ocean, it 

would have to go to the remora. These passive fish are 

often spotted hitching a ride on larger marine creatures, 

using their sucker-like front dorsal fins to latch onto 

sharks, whales, rays, turtles and other aquatic animals. 

You might wonder why predators as ferocious as 

sharks would put up with such cheeky hitchhikers, 

but closer inspection reveals that the remoras provide 

a valuable service. Their suckering antics have the 

effect of sloughing off loose flakes of skin and harmful 

ectoparasites from the host animal, ridding them of 

ocean-based nasties. 

It’s not just transport that remoras are after. By 

associating themselves with marine giants, they gain 

immediate protection from smaller predators, as well as a 

plentiful supply of their favourite food: faeces. Delicious. 

rEMorA 

Remora remora 


Territory Worldwide 

Diet Plankton, food scraps 

and faeces 


Adult weight 1.1kg (2.4lb) 


least coNcerN 

Crocodiles call on 

feathered dentists to 

keep their teeth clean 

nilE CroCoDilE 

Crocodylus niloticus 

Class Reptilia 

These prehistoric predators invite 

smaller creatures to take care of 

their impressive mouths 

Unlike most other reptiles, 

Nile crocodiles will 

ferociously guard their nest 

from all threats 

Territory Africa 

Diet Fish, birds and mammals 


Adult weight 225kg (496lb) 


least coNcerN 

Ever wondered how crocodiles clean their teeth? With 

such a large set of gnashers, these top-tier reptilian 

carnivores require more than just a toothbrush to 

maintain good oral hygiene. 

Thankfully, there are local birds that love to peck 

away the food between a crocodile’s pearly whites. 

When a croc needs its teeth taken care of, it lies still 

on the riverbank with its mouth wide open. This is an 

invitation for birds such as the Egyptian plover (fittingly 

nicknamed ‘the crocodile bird’) to swoop in and dine on 

morsels stuck between the crocodile’s sharp fangs. 

Like other animals that rely on smaller creatures for cleaning duties, the crocodile 

allows its feathered friends to explore the crevices of its mouth without fear of being 

eaten. After all, without the fearless birds that literally fly into the jaws of danger, 

the crocodile’s reputation as one of Africa’s most powerful predators could be 

compromised by tooth decay. 

16

Our close 

animal friends 

Humans have been teaming up 

with animals for millennia. Here 

are a few examples 

Canine companions 

Dogs are an obvious example of 

mutualism between humans and 

animals. The domestic dog is thought 

to have evolved from wolves who 

understood the benefits of hunting 

alongside humans. 

Oxpeckers dine on parasitic 

pests (but they aren’t so 

innocent themselves) 

As small birds living in a dangerous wilderness, 

oxpeckers rely on larger animals to get their food fix 

The open plains of the savannah 

are inhabited by all kinds of large, 

warm-blooded beasts, providing 

the cunning oxpecker with ample 

feeding opportunities. 

This vibrantly-billed bird is known 

to perch on the backs of ungulates 

such as antelopes and zebras. They 

appear to be doing their mammalian 

hosts a favour by eating the harmful 

ticks on their bodies. But 

the oxpecker has a more 

sinister secret: it has a thirst 

for the blood of mammals, 

nipping at open wounds in 

order to satiate its vampirish 

habit. The jury is still out as 

to whether the birds should be 

considered mutualistic partners or 

parasitic pests. 

The honey-hunting bird 

The honeyguide is an African bird with 

a talent for guiding humans to bees’ 

nests. As a reward, locals leave some 

honey behind for the hungry birds. 

This also acts as an incentive for the 

partnership to continue. 

fishing with a difference 

In Laguna, Brazil, local fishermen 

have developed a mutualistic 

relationship with bottlenose dolphins. 

The cetaceans help to herd schools of 

mullet, splashing their tails to show 

humans where to throw their nets. 

inside all of us 

A form of symbiosis takes place 

inside us every day. Human bodies 

depend on microorganisms, which 

aid the digestive system and prevent 

less friendly forms of bacteria from 

taking hold. 

Burrowing tarantulas use frogs 

to protect their eggs 

Arachnids and amphibians team up in a quest to take 

down egg-hunting ants and other dangerous pests 

Spiders and frogs aren’t the likeliest 

of allies. The amphibians in your local 

pond are more likely to eat arachnids 

than make friends with them. In South 

America, it’s sometimes the spiders that 

eat the frogs – large species such as the 

burrowing tarantula regularly feast on 

small amphibians. 

But there’s one notable exception: 

burrowing tarantulas actively avoid 

preying on dotted humming frogs. These 

frogs specialise in eating ants, which are 

one of the main predators of this spiders’ 

eggs. By keeping the frogs around, 

the tarantulas benefit from the frogs’ 

appetite for ants that might otherwise 

terrorise their nests. In return, the frogs 

get to live and also gain a powerful, 

eight-legged bodyguard. This unusual 

arrangement works well for both parties. 

burrowing 

TArAnTulA 

Xenesthis immanis 

Class Arachnida 

Territory Colombia, Venezuela 

and Ecuador 

Diet Reptiles, birds, insects 

and small mammals 

lifespan 12-15 years (female) 

3-4 (male) 

Adult weight N/A 


Not classified 

©Thinkstock; cbpix/Alamy/Juniors Bildarchiv GmbH; Emanuele Biggi/FLPA; Getty/ Richard du Toit 

17

TALKING 

BIRDS 

Both fascinating and entertaining, birds that talk 

back can render us speechless with their skill. Meet the 

talkative birds that aren’t so bird-brained after all 

Words Hannah Westlake 

You might ask a bird one day, "Does Polly 

want a cracker?" and be shocked when you 

get a real answer rather than your own phrase 

parroted back to you. While you might not 

be surprised to hear the odd word or phrase 

spoken by a parrot that has been raised in the 

company of humans since it was a hatchling, 

but that assumption vastly underestimates the 

intelligence and curiosity of parrots and other 

species of talking birds. 

Parrots are perhaps the most well-known 

talkers of the avian world, often performing 

in front of crowds at zoo exhibitions and 

sometimes even on television. They rival 

dolphins and chimps in tests of intelligence 

and resourcefulness, but have the added 

ability of being able to mimic our speech and 

even sounds from the world around us, from 

ringtones to car alarms. 

Corvids, included among them ravens, 

crows and jays, are also renowned for their 

spectacular speech skills when socialised 

and encouraged by their keepers. Some 

record-breaking birds have even wowed 

nations with demonstrations of their 

incredible vocabulary. Read on 

to discover which birds make 

the best conversational 

partners and find 

out just how their 

anatomy allows 

them to imitate 

human speech so 

accurately. 

18

Talking birds 

© Getty/Serega 

19

Talking birds 

How are birds able to talk? 

Birds may not have vocal cords, but that won’t stop those with something to say 

The science of avian vocalisations is subject to 

many studies and throws up many questions; not 

just how birds can manage to sound so human, 

but also why they choose to mimic their owners, 

keepers and sometimes even passing strangers. 

A bird's ability to speak originates in a part of 

their anatomy called the syrinx. Where we humans 

use the vibrations of our vocal cords (found in 

the larynx) to vocalise and our tongue and lips to 

shape words, birds – while they do have a larynx 

– have this extra syrinx structure in their throats, 

which is thought to be the source of their calls. 

To produce a sound, the walls of the syrinx, 

called medial tympaniform membranes, vibrate 

when air passes through. The sound of the bird's 

call is modulated by muscles, changing the tension 

of the membranes. The syrinx enables some 

species of bird (such as parrots and corvids) to 

mimic human speech. However, it is worth noting 

that not all birds have syrinxes and not all birds 

that have syrinxes will have the ability to talk. It 

is thought that the location of the syrinx (at the 

“The syrinx’s location is instrumental 

in enabling songbirds to produce 

more than one sound at a time” 

Parrot 

Parrots may do more than just repeat back words they’ve been taught 

base of the throat, where the trachea splits into 

the lungs), is instrumental in giving songbirds the 

ability to produce more than one sound at a time. 

The most talkative species of bird is the parrot – 

it's a social bird too, which is absolutely vital. Social 

animals need intelligence in order to cooperate 

and a way to communicate with each other. 

Flocking together provides safety in numbers out 

in the wild, but also requires communication so 

that important information about predators or 

food sources can be transmitted. A pet parrot 

kept in a domestic environment will see its 

human family as its flock since they are 

the only source of social interaction, and 

be eager to fit in with the social group. 

One way to fit in is to make the same 

vocalisations as the other members of 

the group. Positive reinforcement (i.e. 

giving treats when human speech is 

successfully mimicked, and ignoring 

undesired noises), helps the bird 

feel integrated into the flock. 

The term ‘parrot’ covers a wide variety 

of species (approximately 393); some 

multicoloured and bold, some a little drab and 

flighty. They can be counted among the most 

intelligent birds. Studies of captive parrots have 

revealed incredible insights into their behaviour, 

from tool use and creative problem-solving to 

the ability to mimic other birds, artificial sounds 

and even human speech. 

As well as being superb 

mimics, hyacinth 

macaws are the largest 

species of parrot 

Parrots do not necessarily make good pets 

because they may still behave as they would 

in the wild, chewing things and screeching and 

sometimes getting aggressive if not treated 

properly. Their intelligence means that they 

require an enormous amount of attention and 

stimulation to thrive in captivity or domestic 

situations. Parrots are social creatures and if 

one is kept alone, without the company of 

other parrots, it needs a lot of social interaction 

to stay healthy, including being talked to. 

If a parrot is raised by humans that speak to 

it, it will pick up these words and repeat them. 

Some of the most intelligent parrots, such as 

the African grey, have been observed using 

words in context. Pet parrots that have escaped 

and rejoined a flock have even taught their 

companions human words. 

20

Talking birds 

African grey parrot 

The intelligent and well-spoken African grey parrot is a talking marvel 

Probably one of the most intelligent 

birds in existence, the African grey 

parrot has long been a subject of 

scientific scrutiny. In the wild, African 

greys use different alert calls to 

signify different species approaching 

and they can also mimic the calls of 

several other species. 

Pet African grey parrots, however, 

are introduced to a variety of 

stimulus and have demonstrated a 

large vocabulary and a surprising 

level of intelligence. They will whistle 

and click, but also imitate other 

sounds from their environment; 

anything from the ringing of a 

telephone to their owner’s laugh, 

and will even use swear words, 

something they are known to do 

quite regularly. 

One famous African grey called 

N’kisi is thought to have had a 

vocabulary of approximately 950 

words. What’s most incredible is that 

N’kisi used these words in context, 

often in complete sentences, and 

could approximate the correct tense 

of a verb. African greys demonstrate 

a level of intelligence also displayed 

by dolphins and chimpanzees. 

“These birds can 

mimic a ringing 

phone, laughter 

and swear words” 

How the syrinx works 

The syrinx allows some birds to sing and others to talk 

The bird inhales through 

its open bill and air flows 

down the windpipe, also 

known as the trachea. 

When the bird exhales, air 

flows through the syrinx, 

which is located at the base 

of the trachea where it forks. 

The walls of the 

syrinx vibrate 

when air 

passes through 

and muscles 

contract to 

modulate the 

noise that’s 

produced. 

The base of the 

trachea is split in two 

so air can be evenly 

distributed to each 

lung and processed 

for oxygen. 

© Thinkstock; Stu Porter/Alamy 

21

Talking birds 

Cockatoo 

Cockatoos are great talkers, but they 

might prefer energetically dancing to 

music instead of chatting 

Cockatoos are parrots belonging to 

the Cacatuidae family and are found in 

Australia, the Philippines and New Guinea. 

Easily recognisable by their curved beaks 

and ostentatious crests, they make popular 

pets, including the smallest of the cockatoo 

species, the cockatiel, which is the secondmost 

popular pet bird after the budgerigar. 

This is despite wild populations sometimes 

being considered agricultural pests. 

The species is not the most adept of the 

talking birds, but still manages to mimic 

human speech fairly well. The yellowcrested 

cockatoo is a good talker and the 

long-billed corella can imitate speech very 

clearly. But unlike African grey parrots, 

which can communicate complex phrases 

in context, cockatoos are just imitating the 

noises that they hear around them. 

Social animals with an intense curiosity, 

cockatoos require a lot of attention when 

kept as pets. The internet hosts hundreds 

of videos of cockatoos ‘dancing’ to music, 

moving to the beat and raising their crests. 

Known as beat induction, this behaviour is 

rare among animals; no primates, except 

for humans, can move or clap to a beat. 

One famous cockatoo called Snowball 

would even adapt his dancing when the 

tempo changed. 

A U-shaped gap in the 

cockatoo’s lower beak 

gives these birds a 

powerful three-way bite 

“Social animals with 

an intense curiosity, 

these birds require 

a lot of attention” 

Lyrebird 

The lyrebird is Australia’s world-renowned 

imitator of natural and artificial sounds 

Lyrebirds sing throughout the year, though their singing 

is more intense during the breeding season, when they 

can sing for four hours a day. The lyrebird’s extravagant 

song can include snippets from almost any sound it hears, 

from car alarms and chainsaws to other birdsong and 

fragments of human speech. 

Raven 

There is a lot more to this corvid’s 

vocabulary than “nevermore” 

The common raven has one of the biggest brains out of 

all bird species. They have been observed making tools to 

problem-solve and even building toys to play with. They 

can mimic other birds and are known to call wolves to 

carcasses that the birds can’t break open. Tame ravens can 

be taught to mimic human speech, too. 

Mockingbird 

The northern mockingbird can have up to 

200 songs in its repertoire 

Famous for mimicking the sounds of other birds, as well 

as insects and amphibians, the mockingbird sings at 

great speed. While mockingbirds have the ability to mimic 

human speech (just a few words), it’s rare for them to do 

so because there is not much interaction between humans 

and wild mockingbirds. 

22

Budgerigar 

or common 

pet parakeet 

The most popular avian companion 

in the world may be small, but it has 

a very big voice indeed 

The Australian budgerigar (commonly 

known as the budgie) is probably the 

most common species of parakeet and is 

in fact the third most popular pet in the 

world after dogs and cats. Tame budgies 

will whistle, sing and play with their human 

keepers. Both males and females will 

mimic words and make noises, but males 

tend to have a clearer pronunciation and 

are typically able to learn more words than 

females. A budgie’s vocabulary can range 

from a few dozen to a few hundred words. 

One particularly famous budgie by the 

name of Sparkie Williams is even in the 

Guinness Book Of Records as the most 

outstanding talking bird. Sparkie knew 

around 500 words and could recite eight 

nursery rhymes, and in his short lifetime 

(1954–1962) became a national celebrity in 

the UK, fronting an advertising campaign 

for bird seed, appearing on BBC radio and 

making a record that sold a whopping 

20,000 copies. 

Talking birds 

When 

Roman Emperor 

Augustus returned to 

Rome after the defeat of 

Mark Antony in 29 BCE, he 

bought a raven that had been 

trained to say, “Ave, Caesar Victor 

Imperator”. In case the battle in 

Egypt had gone the other way, 

the crafty trainer had prepared 

a backup raven that could 

readily recite, “Ave, Victor 

Imperator Antoni”. 

In the wild, budgerigars 

are colonial birds, 

normally nesting in small 

flocks of a few couples 

Hill myna 

The hill myna is a strong contender for the 

speech-mimicking crown 

The hill myna is a species of bird related to starlings and is 

native to India, southern China, Thailand, Malaysia and the 

Philippines. They have a wide range of loud calls, but wild 

hill mynas don’t tend to mimic other birds or human words. 

Captive mynas, however, are almost as good at mimicking 

as the African grey parrot. 

Crow 

The common crow can be an uncommonly 

talented talker in the right environment 

Crows, like their relatives from the Corvidae family, ravens, 

are highly intelligent, having been observed constructing 

and using tools. In their own language, they can warn other 

crows about ‘bad’ humans, but crows kept in captivity with 

high exposure to human language are able to mimic a few 

words of human speech. 

Jay 

Jays can be coaxed into talking when in 

close contact with humans 

Jays are the most colourful members of the Corvidae 

family. They have a variety of calls and can even mimic 

the cry of a hawk so well that it’s sometimes hard to tell 

where the call came from. Jays kept in captivity have been 

recorded mimicking human speech, including the blue jay 

and Eurasian jay. 

© Alamy/Dave Watts; Arco Images GmbH; Thinkstock 

23

NATURE’S 

SECRETS 

Humans aren’t the only ones to smear themselves 

with gunk or adorn their bodies with trinkets 

Words Amy Grisdale 

Chimps craft their own hats 

Like us, our closest relatives are concerned about their appearance 

Dutch primatologist Frans de Waal has 

observed wild chimpanzees placing 

miscellaneous items on their heads before 

parading their new style before the rest 

of the group. This has only been seen in 

females, and the scientist described their 

behaviour as “self-conscious”. There is no 

concrete explanation for this, but it’s likely 

to have something to do with attracting a 

mate. If not, another hypothesis is that the 

ape may be trying to raise its status. 

Another fashion trend has swept 

through chimp populations, again 

without any obvious reason. The apes at 

Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage in Zambia 

became obsessed with wearing a stem of 

grass tucked into their ears. The chimps 

would search through the undergrowth for 

a stiff piece of vegetation, place it inside 

one of their ears and adjust the grass until 

it was comfortable. Eight of the 12 chimps 

in the troop participated, but only one 

from a neighbouring group joined in. 

Researchers don’t think it has anything 

to do with personal gain on the chimp’s 

behalf, and may be some kind of cultural 

tradition. Chimpanzees have a habit 

of copying one another’s behaviour, 

presumably because they want to keep 

up with the latest trends. 

ACCESSORIES 

& CLOTHES 

24

Nature’s beauty secrets 

Just like their chimp cousins, 

bonobos have also been 

observed making hats, usually 

as a way to keep the rain off 

Textiles of the chimp 

The following items have all been documented to adorn the head of female chimpanzees 

Dead cockroaches Broad leaves Rat carcasses 

© Cyril Ruoso/Minden Pictures/FLPA 

25


Decorator crabs 

design outfits 

This crustacean wears a technicolour 

dreamcoat to trick predators 

Just like an excited shopper with an armful 

of clothes, the decorator crab picks up items 

from the seabed to arrange on its shell. Its 

hard carapace is covered with Velcro-like 

bristles called setae that hook on to shreds 

of seaweed and small animals. 

Sponges and colourful anemones 

are favourites, and the toxins on the 

anemone’s tentacles are a bonus. This habit 

is particularly prominent in the smallest 

specimens who need to camouflage 

themselves more than the bigger crabs. 

Some marine invertebrates and ocean plants 

will settle on the crabs back even without 

encouragement from their host. 

As the crustacean grows, its shell remains 

the same size. When the time comes to 

vacate the exoskeleton, the skin inside 

loosens and the shell cracks. When the new 

shell forms, the crab picks the decorations 

off the old husk and recycles them by 

transferring them to its new home. 

ACCESSORIES 

& CLOTHES 

“An assassin bug can cover itself with up to 

20 dead ants. Without this armour, it’s ten 

times more likely to be attacked” 

Cuttlefish are cross-dressers 

These squid-like molluscs change their appearance to ensure 

they snare a mate. When a male tries to impress a female, 

he changes colour on one side of his body. The edge facing 

the female is normal, but the male manipulates the side 

pointed away from her to display the colouration of 

another female. This means that an observing male 

will assume there are two females in front of him and 

won’t interrupt the courtship. 

This two-faced disguise requires serious 

brainpower, with the animal focusing on displaying 

a dappled brown colour on half of its body and 

stunning pulsating stripes on the other. This 

dynamic banding catches the eye of local ladies, 

and the bold male can even sneak in between a 

male-female pair that are about to mate. It’s a 

risky strategy that can lead to fights. It’s also not 

worth performing for more than one female 

at once. The male just can’t keep up the act 

in front of a larger audience. Cuttlefish display 

sophisticated social understanding by saving their 

best moves for such a specific context, which is 

testament to a high level of intelligence. 

Assassin bugs wear 

dead ant backpacks 

Native to eastern Africa, this bloodthirsty bug injects 

paralysing saliva into the bodies of its ant victims. It then 

pumps the unfortunate ant full of an enzyme that breaks 

down the soft tissue inside and sucks out the digested 

flesh through its straw-like proboscis. Once the ant is just 

an empty shell, the assassin bug turns the corpse into 

a crude form of protective armour. The predator uses a 

sticky excretion to bind the body to its back before moving 

on in search of more prey. One ant cape simply isn’t 

enough for this creature, though, and one assassin bug 

can cover itself with up to 20 dead ants at a time. 

Interestingly, even though the assassin bug feeds on a 

wide variety of insect prey, only the ant is chosen to be 

made into clothing. This behaviour masks the assassin 

bug’s scent, but mostly provides visual camouflage. One 

of their predators, the jumping spider, has a poor sense 

of smell but extremely keen eyesight. An assassin bug 

moving around without any ant armour is around ten 

times more likely to be attacked by an aggressive arachnid 

than one wearing some ant corpses. The heap 

of ant bodies acts like an invisibility cloak, 

and even if the dead insects 

draw a predator’s gaze, 

the assassin bug has a 

chance to escape while 

the ants serve as a 

handy distraction. 

26


Lemurs stink 

up their tails 

Forget alluring smells – ring-tailed 

lemurs try to out-stink one another 

Like a classy lady dousing herself in 

perfume, lemurs manufacture their 

own scent from glands in their wrists 

and shoulders. Just like eau de toilette, 

the lemur’s wrist-based fragrance 

only hangs around for a few hours, so 

the primate has to reapply at every 

opportunity. However, the shoulder 

glands produce a thick, brown, 

toothpaste-like secretion that is much 

longer-lasting. Both of these scents 

are rubbed along the length of their 

fluffy ringed tail and are used to settle 

arguments between rivals. 

A stink fight begins when two male 

lemurs face one another in the battle 

for a female’s heart. The pair wave 

their tails around and attempt to flick 

as much of their stench towards one 

another. Stand-offs like this can last 

up to an hour, though they are usually 

resolved relatively quickly. 

FRAGRANCE 

Elands soak their heads in urine 

Is there any better way to attract a mate than the acrid scent of ammonia? 

The fluffy tuft on the face of the eland is called 

the hairbrush, and if a male really wants to stand 

out, he dips it into a puddle of urine. He selects 

his own waste to smother over his hairbrush, 

and this is a type of ‘honest signal’. The chemical 

composition gives other elands information 

about the quality of the antelope as a mate. It’s 

essentially an olfactory dating profile for females 

to judge a male on. 

Female elands don’t treat themselves to an 

ammonia facial, but instead the male gives her 

hind quarters a good sniff to check she’s as 

healthy on the inside as she looks from afar. 

He performs a behaviour called a Flehmen 

response, where he traps particles of the female’s 

urine inside his nasal cavity to make a thorough 

assessment of her potential as a partner. 

Another honest signal eland bulls use is kneeclicking. 

Elands make snapping sounds with their 

knees by slipping the tendon over their carpal 

bone in the forelegs. The tendon acts like a string 

being plucked, and the pitch of the resulting sound 

changes as the eland grows larger. The sound 

communicates the size and quality of the male, 

prevents attacks from smaller males, and lets the 

females around know who to mate with. 

© Thinkstock; NaturePL/Marko Masterl; Jurgen Freund 

27


Hedgehogs slather themselves in spit 

Decorating their spiny quills is a high priority 

Known as ‘self-anointing’, these spiny critters 

create frothy saliva in their mouth to apply to 

their sharp quills. First, the hedgehog licks or 

chews an item of interest, like a bulb of wild 

garlic, to infuse the slobber with its flavour of 

choice. It then contorts and twists its body 

to cover the hard-to-reach corners. Items 

that bring on this behaviour range from toad 

slime to faecal matter. 

There are a lot of theories that attempt to 

explain this phenomenon, but there isn’t a 

single accepted explanation. One possibility 

is that when a hedgehog comes across a 

smell they are fond of, the animal spreads 

it over its bristles. It could also be a form 

of scent-based camouflage to hide the 

hedgehog in an unfamiliar environment or 

a way to introduce themself to a new smell. 

Another idea is that they spread their toxinimmune 

saliva over their quills as added 

protection from poisons they may encounter. 

More fragrant 

anointing animals 

Hedgehogs aren’t the only species to 

create a chemical cloak for themselves 

Insect-based 

insect repellent 

Capuchin monkeys 

rub themselves with 

millipedes that contain 

two compounds that 

repel harmful insects 

like mosquitos. 

Goats wee on their 

own faces 

Males bend their body 

in such a way that 

their stream of urine 

hits their face. The 

scent of their urine 

attracts females. 

Bears use healing 

root paste 

North American 

brown bears smear 

osha root paste on 

wounds. It contains 

over 100 medicinal 

compounds. 

Flamingos 

(sometimes) 

wear makeup 

But these birds don’t bother once they’ve got kids 

After a chick hatches, its parents’ bright pink plumage 

begins to fade. This was once thought to be a result of the 

Sun’s bleaching power, but has recently been discovered 

to be under the bird’s control. During the February mating 

season, flamingos coat their feathers with oil that is 

produced by a gland near the tail. This deepens their pink 

colour and keeps their coat looking salon-fresh. However, 

once the baby flamingos arrive this behaviour stops 

immediately and the mother has more important things to 

do. She doesn’t treat herself to an oil soak until her chicks 

leave the nest and she needs to find another partner. 

“Flamingos coat their 

feathers with oil produced 

by a gland near their tail” 

MAKEUP 

28


Hippos wear sunblock 

These mammals pump out a miracle skin-saving potion 

Hippos are able to float around beneath the 

scorching African sun all day long without getting 

burnt. This is because they produce a red sweat 

that works as a very efficient sunscreen. Two 

pigments mix together to make a two-in-one sun 

cream and antibiotic that protects their thick skin 

from two major threats. Because this excretion is 

made of orange and red compounds, the ancient 

Greeks thought that hippos sweated out blood. 

Nowadays, we know that it’s a pair of amino 

acids that work together to heal skin wounds and 

protect against the Sun. 

It was noted a long time ago that hippos with 

albinism – the condition where an animal has no 

pigment whatsoever – were able to survive. This 

is highly unusual as wild albino animals rarely 

survive into adulthood because their white skin is 

easy for predators to spot. Young hippos without 

any colour would react badly to being in direct 

sunlight for day-long stretches, but this magic 

sweat protects adults no matter what. 

Hippos can spend up to 16 

hours a day submerged in 

water to keep cool 

SKINCARE 

Vultures dye their feathers 

A touch of blush is enough for this bone-eating bird 

Bearded vultures are famous for dyeing their 

clean, white feathers on the chest and shoulders 

with a red colour. It was once thought to be a 

coincidence that so many of the same species 

sported the same look, but in 1995 the birds were 

finally spotted purposely bathing in red iron-rich 

pools atop the Pyrenees. 

It’s unlikely that the vultures need camouflage 

as they are at the very top of the food chain, and 

their prey is always dead anyway. Instead it was 

proposed that the rusty colour advertises the 

animal’s strength as it demonstrates their ability 

to seek out a rare iron oxide deposit. Another idea 

is that iron somehow kills the huge variety of 

bacteria these birds encounter when feeding. 

We do know that the bone-based diet of 

the bearded vulture doesn’t provide enough 

carotenoids – the same pigment that makes 

flamingos so pink – and the birds might be trying 

to make up for this shortage. 

The bearded 

vulture is also 

known as 

lammergeier, 

German for 

‘lamb-vulture’ 

© Brendon Cremer/Nature in Stock/FLPA; Thinkstock; Alamy 

29

secret 

swimmers 

Discover the animals familiar with the front crawl and 

breaststroke that you may be surprised to find yourself 

sharing the water with 

Words Amy Best 

30

Secret swimmers 

Slow and steady 

Despite their renowned lazy nature, 

sloths are incredible swimmers. 

Swimming is actually one of the few 

reasons they leave the comfort of a 

tree – relieving themselves is another. 

Classified as Critically Endangered 

by the IUCN, male pygmy threetoed 

sloths will swim phenomenal 

distances in search of a mate. 

© Suzi Eszterhas/Minden Pictures/FLPA 

31


© Alamy/Alex Mustard 

The tide is high 

On the sands of the aptly nicknamed 

Pig Beach in the Exuma district of the 

Bahamas, pigs are known not to fly, 

but swim. No one quite knows how 

these feral pigs found their way to 

this exotic location, but travellers from 

all over the world journey to Big Major 

Cay to swim among them. 

32


Cannonball! 

Dytiscidae, derived from the Greek 

dytikos, meaning ‘able to dive’, are 

more commonly known as the 

predaceous diving beetles. They 

can be found propelling themselves 

into the streams of Europe and Asia, 

preying on small insects and even fish 

bigger than themselves. These little 

critters use their spiracles to breathe 

and stay underwater as long as 

possible in order to hunt and nest. 

© NaturePL/John Abbott 

33


Head above water 

© NaturePL/Aflo © Arco Images GmbH/Alamy 

The stereotype that cats are petrified 

of water may apply to our household 

companions, but it is certainly not 

true of their larger feline cousins. 

Unlike many other big cats in the 

Felidae family, tigers are competent 

swimmers that use the lakes and 

streams of Asia to cool off and 

escape the midday heat. 

Making waves 

In the animal kingdom, size should 

definitely not be an indicator as to 

whether or not a mammal has the 

capacity to swim. Surprisingly, an 

elephant’s massive body actually 

gives it the buoyancy that it needs to 

float easily. Their trunks even act like a 

snorkel to help them breathe normally 

and swim long distances. 

34


Natural born 

swimmers 

Believe it or not, moose are naturally 

gifted swimmers, with even their 

calves knowing how to manoeuvre 

through water. Despite their bulk, 

they can swim around 9.7 kilometres 

per hour (six miles per hour) and 

completely submerge themselves for 

up to 30 seconds. They are almost as 

at home in the water as on land. 

© Design Pics Inc/Alamy 

35

Explore the Earth 

CHASING 

Butterflies 

From the buddleia in your back garden to the fir 

forests of Mexico, the world is filled with beautiful 

butterfly species just waiting to be visited 

Words Laura Mears 

36

Travel expert 

Tom Brereton is a monitoring and species ecologist at Butterfly 

Conservation and a Naturetrek wildlife holidays tour leader 

Butterflies are regarded as good indicators of 

a healthy environment, and travelling to places 

rich in butterflies will mean that you will be spending time 

in some of the most unspoilt places left on our planet. I 

have three favourite places to go on holiday in search of 

butterflies. First, the amazing spectacle of 100 million or 

so wintering monarchs roosting in a small area of forest 

in Mexico must be high on every nature lover’s ‘bucket 

list’. Second is beautiful Nepal in the Himalayas, which is 

likely to yield a remarkable variety of species, perhaps up 

to 200. Finally, there’s Armenia, a little-visited paradise for 

butterflies, especially for stunning blue and fritillary species. 

Purple emperor 

These secretive 

butterflies can 

be found in the 

woodlands of 

southern England. 

They spend most 

of their time in the 

treetops, occasionally 

venturing down to 

the ground. 

Monarch 

A must-see for any 

butterfly fan. Each year, 

they make the astonishing 

journey from their summer 

homes in North America to 

their winter hideout in the 

fir trees of Mexico. 

Great hockeystick sailer 

Endangered butterflies, like the striped sailer, 

can be challenging to track down, but there 

are always dozens of other species to discover. 

Blue clipper 

With their striped 

green, blue and 

black wings, these 

energetic butterflies 

circle in groups 

above the trees of 

Southeast Asia. 

Amber phantom 

These stunning transparent butterflies are 

found in the darkest depths of the Amazon 

Rainforest and are most often seen emerging 

alone or in pairs as the Sun starts to set. 

Travel guide 

When to go 

Exact timings vary by species, but most 

butterflies appear in the spring and 

summer, which is March to September in 

the Northern Hemisphere. 

Where to travel 

You don’t have to travel far to see 

butterflies; many can be spotted in your 

own garden. Wherever you are, keep an 

eye out. 

Madagascan sunset 

These spectacular 

Madagascan insects are 

actually moths, but with 

their bright wings and 

daytime flight habits, these 

unusual animals are worth 

adding to your list. 

Queen Alexandra’s 

birdwing 

With a wingspan of up 

to 28cm (11in), this is the 

largest butterfly in the 

world. The females are 

brown but the males are 

brightly patterned. 

Best weather 

Butterflies tend to shelter under leaves 

and in crevices during bad weather, so for 

the best chance of seeing them choose a 

warm, dry day. 

What to take 

A good butterfly guidebook to help with 

those tricky identifications, a checklist 

to tick off your must-see insects, and a 

camera for close-up pictures. 

What you’ll see 

There are approximately 20,000 different 

species of butterfly around the world; 

common and rare, large and small, bright 

and dull. 

© Thinkstock; freevectormaps.com; Getty/ Phisitkiat Phutthithanasombat / EyeEm 

37


See the migration 

of the monarchs 

These butterflies are famous for their incredible 

migration. Every year, they travel thousands of 

miles from Canada and the north of the United 

States to California and Mexico then back again 

on paper-thin wings. The most astonishing thing 

is that every single butterfly is finding their way 

south for the first time. 

Most monarch butterflies live for just a few 

weeks. During the summer, several generations 

will hatch, reproduce and die. But the last 

generation of the season is special. Born in late 

summer, these butterflies survive the winter by 

hibernating in the trees before migrating back up 

north in the spring. 

Beginning in the autumn, monarchs start to fly 

south en masse. During daylight hours, the tiny 

creatures take wing, and when they finally reach 

their destination they cluster in the trees in their 

thousands. The branches become so heavy that 

they sometimes collapse under the strain. 

During the autumn, the butterflies can be 

seen as far north as Point Pelee National Park 

in Ontario, Canada. But if you want to witness 

nature’s most impressive butterfly spectacle, you’ll 

need to travel further south between October 

and February to visit their winter refuges in the 

Monarch Groves of California or the Monarch 

Biosphere Reserve in Mexico. 

Find the invisible butterfly 

South America is home to a strange and beautiful 

butterfly with wings like delicate shards of glass – 

the glasswing. This unusual species is one of the 

only land animals to have evolved transparency 

as a means of camouflage, making them 

extremely challenging to find. 

They lack the scales that give other butterflies 

their iridescent colours, and in their place are 

microscopic nanostructures. These lumps and 

bumps are arranged seemingly at random, 

altering the way that light behaves when it hits 

their wings. Rather than bouncing off, it passes 

straight through. 

As if invisibility wasn’t enough of a defence 

against predators, these butterflies are also 

poisonous. The edges of their transparent wings 

are lit up with a reddish warning colouration, 

alerting attackers that they contain toxic 

molecules called alkaloids. These are gathered 

from the leaves of the deadly nightshade plant in 

which the females lay their eggs. 

This species can travel many miles a day 

through the rainforests of South America. But 

you don’t have to go trekking into the trees to 

see them – these elusive insects can be found in 

the butterfly gardens of Costa Rica. 

38

Top tips for 

photographing butterflies 

Set up 

To maximise your chances of snapping that 

flighty butterfly, set yourself up somewhere 

quiet and sunny among their favourite food. 

In focus 

Getting fast insects in focus is always going to 

be a challenge. Use sport mode if you have it 

and set your shutter to a fast speed. 

Get close 

Capture all of that stunning detail by getting 

in close to your subject with a macro lens. 

Approach slowly and take your time. 

Be fast 

Don’t hesitate to press the shutter; butterflies 

move quickly. Turn on burst mode, capture 

several images, then choose the best one. 

© Getty/ Danita Delimont; Alamy/Sabena Jane Blackbird 

Be patient 

As with all wildlife photography, patience is the 

key to grabbing that stunning shot. Watch and 

wait and you might see something amazing. 

39


Search for Europe’s 

elusive admiral 

With a wingspan measuring up to nine 

centimetres (3.5 inches) across, the 

poplar admiral should be easy to spot. 

But despite having a wide range that 

encompasses France, Italy, Scandinavia 

and Greece, as well as parts of Asia, these 

winged insects are rarely ever seen. 

They prefer woodland habitats, setting 

up home in aspen forests. The deciduous 

trees have distinctive jagged leaves that 

turn bright yellow or red before they drop 

in the autumn. Poplar admirals overwinter 

as caterpillars, then when the summer 

comes they emerge from their cocoons 

to spend their days out of sight high up in 

the branches. 

The best times to spot them are early 

mornings in June and July when they 

venture down to the ground to drink the 

dew. If you’re lucky, you might even see 

one flying close to a wet road on your 

way to the forest. 

Spot a poisonous 

rose in India 

These butterflies might have a simple 

name, but their velvety black wings 

are anything but ordinary. They have 

a strange flight pattern, using their 

front wings for propulsion and their 

hind wings to steer. As they hover over 

flowers they flick their tails for balance. 

Their colouration is also unusual, with 

dusky pink spots around the margins of 

females’ wings and startling red patches 

on the males’. This isn’t just for show – 

common rose butterflies are poisonous. 

As caterpillars, they gorge themselves 

on plants that contain the toxin 

aristolochic acid, and the poison stays 

with them into adulthood. They also 

make a nasty-smelling liquid when 

frightened to help ward off predators. 

They are the national butterfly of 

Singapore but can be found across Asia 

during the warmer months. For the best 

chance to spot them, travel to India just 

after the monsoon rains in September. 

40

Species to spot in the UK 

Comma 

These butterflies are easily identified thanks to a unique 

white mark in the shape of a comma on their underside. 

They emerge from hibernation in March. 

Brimstone 

It’s thought that the bright yellow colour of male 

brimstone butterflies is the reason that the word 

‘butter-fly’ exists. Found from Yorkshire downwards, 

they appear in April and May and again in August. 

Small skipper 

These furry little butterflies are found in tall grass, 

sometimes sneaking into verges at the roadside. They 

are best spotted between June and August. 

Meet Australia’s bird-sized butterfly 

Up to 60 per cent of Australia’s butterflies are 

found in and around the rainforests of north 

Queensland, and the Cairns birdwing is one to 

look out for. It is the largest species of butterfly in 

Australia, and the females can have a wingspan 

of an impressive 18 centimetres (seven inches), 

which is bigger than some birds! 

They are found on the northeast coast 

between the cities of Mackay and Cooktown; 

normally in the rainforest, but sometimes 

venturing into people’s back gardens. They only 

live for a few weeks, so when the butterflies 

emerge from their leaf-like cocoons it’s a race to 

find a mate, and things can get competitive. 

They are most often seen in the summer 

and autumn between December and May. 

Each morning, the brightly coloured males will 

begin their patrols and, once they’ve found a 

female, mating can last for several days. They’ll 

sometimes even stand guard afterwards. 

Adonis blue 

The females of this species are brown, but the males 

are a startling shade of blue. They can be seen in 

grassland over chalky soil from May to June and 

August to September. 

Green hairstreak 

When flying these butterflies look brown, but as soon as 

they land their incredible colours are revealed. They are 

most often seen between April and June. 

© Thinkstock; Alamy/Keith J Smith./Thomas Marent/Minden Pictures 

41


Find the rare 

violet copper 

These endangered butterflies are 

extinct across much of their range 

but can still be spotted in isolated 

pockets of central Europe. They have 

flashes of violet on their coppercoloured 

wings and can occasionally 

be seen nestled among the pink 

flowers of the bistort plant in the 

French Pyrenees Mountains. They 

measure just over two centimetres 

(0.8 inches) across so can be a 

challenge to spot, but if you’re in 

the area between May and July, it’s 

worth keeping an eye out. 

The UK’s biggest 

butterfly 

The swallowtail is the UK’s largest 

native butterfly; the females can 

reach nearly ten centimetres (four 

inches) across. However, they’re 

a rare sight, found only among 

the rivers and lakes of the Norfolk 

Broads. Their restricted distribution 

is down to their preference for milk 

parsley, a tall, marsh-loving plant 

with tiny white flowers. It’s the only 

plant that swallowtail caterpillars 

will eat, and is only found in 

Norfolk. For the best chance to see 

them, visit on a still day between 

May and July. 

42

Chasing butterflies 

Top tips for 

seeing butterflies 

Get some practice 

Before you race across the world, 

it’s worth getting to know your local 

species. Head to the garden or your 

local park and see if you can identify 

the butterflies you find. 

wiN 

a copy of the colliNs 

Butterfly Guide 

by visiting www.animal 

answers.co.uk 

Approach with caution 

Butterflies are easily spooked, so 

approach slowly and carefully. Be 

mindful of your shadow – if you 

suddenly plunge a butterfly into 

shade it’s likely to fly away. 

Bring the butterflies to you 

If you really want to get up close 

and personal with butterflies, one 

of the best things you can do is to 

plant a garden. Try growing buddleia, 

lavender or perennial wallflowers. 

Must-have items 

Collins Butterfly Guide 

There are thousands of species of 

butterfly throughout the world. 

Keep track of the butterflies you 

see out on your treks with this 

handy guidebook. 

£15.90 

www.amazon.co.uk 

Nature View Binoculars 

A good pair of binoculars for 

spotting butterflies is the 8x42 

Nature View, which is specially 

adapted to help you spot the 

world’s natural wonders. 

£149 

www.wexphotographic.com 

Olloclip smartphone lens 

Sometimes timing and patience 

aren’t enough to get that perfect 

photo. Invest in a clip-on lens kit 

to boost your smartphone camera 

for those close-up butterfly shots. 

£99.99 

www.olloclip.com 

Tilley Waxed Cotton Hat 

Moisture-resistant, durable, 

crushable and packable, this much 

loved design is easy to care for 

and will keep you comfortable in 

both sunshine and rain. 

£64.99 

www.ellis-brigham.com 

© NaturePL/Alex Hyde; Jussi Murtosaari; Thinkstock 

Who to travel with 

Budget 

Greenwings 

www.greenwings.co.uk 

Swallowtail weekend in Norfolk 

From £575 per person, you can enjoy 

a weekend searching for swallowtails 

with all meals, accomodation and local 

transport included. Price excludes flights. 

Family 

Iberian Wildlife Tours 

www.iberianwildlife.com 

A family wildlife holiday in the Picos de Europa 

Take your family on a trek through these 

stunning Spanish mountains in search of local 

wildlife. From ¤1,350 (£1,140) per adult and 

¤1,010 (£854) per child excluding flights. 

Luxury 

Naturetrek 

www.naturetrek.co.uk 

Butterflies of South Africa 

Led by a local expert, this tour is a chance to 

spot some of the 800 butterfly species of South 

Africa as well as big game animals including 

rhinos. From £2,995 per person including flights. 

43

CAT-LIKE 

They might not look much like cats, but 

these agile hunters share the same razorsharp 

teeth and lightening reflexes as the 

larger feline predators of the wild 

KILLERS 

Otter civet 

Cynogale bennettii 

Living near swamps and wetlands, 

this semi-aquatic civet can be found 

in Malaysia, Borneo and Sumatra. 

They have plenty of adaptations for 

water-based life, like closable nostrils 

and webbed feet. 

Cape grey mongoose 

Galarella pulverulenta 

This small South African mongoose species hunts 

during the day and is usually seen alone, except 

during mating season. It hunts small rodents and has 

short legs and a long, pointed muzzle. 

When threatened, banded 

mongooses bunch together to 

seem bigger to predators. 

The otter civet’s 

watery diet is made 

up of fish, molluscs 

and small mammals. 

Banded 

mongoose 

Mungos mungo 

Living predominantly in arid 

central and eastern Africa, 

the small banded mongoose 

is the most social of its kind. 

Famous for unabashed attacks 

on snakes, these animals also 

feed on insects and plants. 

This mongoose takes 

advantage of holes 

and burrows dug 

by other species to 

live in. 

Egyptian 

mongoose 

Herpestes ichneumon 

With shaggy grey fur, a 

pointed snout and a long, 

fluffy tail, the Egyptian 

mongoose is found 

throughout sub-Saharan 

Africa. They are able to hunt 

and eat venomous snakes 

thanks to their fast reflexes. 

African civet 

Civettictis civetta 

The largest African viverridae, this civet lives in 

savannahs and forests of southern and central 

Africa. With a distinctive raccoon-like face and 

thick fur, a mane runs down the civet’s back 

that becomes erect when threatened. 

This is quite a 

vocal species, 

communicating with 

coughs, growls and 

even screams. 

Meerkat 

Suricata suricatta 

Famous for sitting on their back legs 

in groups, meerkats are native to 

African deserts and grasslands. They 

are very social, with groups reaching 

50 individuals, known as a mob. 

Thanks to its 

streamlined running 

gait, this mongoose is 

often mistaken for a 

reptile from afar. 

Mobs live in intricate 

underground tunnel systems 

that help keep them cool. 

44

Cat-like killers 

Striped civet 

Fossa fosana 

Another species unique to 

Madagascar, these civets fill the niche 

of a fox. They hunt small mammals at 

night and have few natural predators. 

They also store fat reserves for winter. 

These civets are very 

shy, and their calls 

sound like crying. 

The taxonomic order Carnivora 

describes the members of the animal 

kingdom that (mostly) have sharp teeth 

for eating meat. This order has two 

suborders: the Caniformia (dog-like 

carnivores) and the Feliformia, the catlike 

carnivores. The true cats belong 

to the family Felidae, and then there 

are five other cat-like families that 

include the civets, genets, mongooses, 

meerkats and hyenas. 

These little-known cat-like carnivores 

are a very diverse bunch! Covering 

a wide geographical range and 

occupying many niches, some species 

live in trees, some dig burrows and a 

few are semi-aquatic! All of them have 

sharp claws for hunting and pointy 

carnassial teeth for tearing meat. 

However, not all animals classed as 

carnivores actually eat just meat – 

many are opportunistic omnivores. 

Binturong 

Arctictis binturong 

Also known as the ‘bearcat’, 

binturongs live in the trees and 

have very strong, muscular tails for 

gripping branches. They smell like 

buttered popcorn and are widespread 

across southern Asia. 

Binturongs are able 

to turn their ankles 

180º to climb headfirst 

down trees. 

Sulawesi palm civet 

Macrogalidia musschenbroekii 

Little is known about this small civet, 

endemic to the Indonesian island of 

Sulawesi. It’s a rare and vulnerable 

species, threatened by habitat loss 

and population decline. 

Although classified 

as a carnivore, this 

civet eats plenty of 

palm fruit. 

Common genets have 

ringed tails and a 

pointed muzzle. 

Common genet 

Genetta genetta 

Found throughout Africa and 

parts of Spain and Portugal, these 

small, feline-like animals are 

opportunistic feeders, feasting on 

anything they can get their paws on, 

including rodents, insects and fruit. 

The fossa’s long 

tail helps it to 

balance in the 

treetops. 

When threatened, 

these civets can 

secrete a pungent 

scent, like a skunk. 

Malay civet 

Viverra tangalunga 

Also known as the Oriental civet, this 

critter lives on the Malay Peninsula 

and throughout islands in the region. 

Nocturnal and solitary, they catch 

prey by stalking and pouncing. 

Fossa 

Cryptoprocta ferox 

The largest of the cat-like carnivores, 

the fossa lives only in Madagascar. It’s a 

solitary creature with retractable claws that 

lives both in the trees and on the ground. 

© Getty/DEA PICTURE LIBRARY 

45

Swimming 

with 

Forget everything you think the film Jaws taught you. 

Swimming with sharks is guaranteed to be a truly 

unforgettable and mesmerising experience, for all the 

right reasons! Here’s how and where to join the ocean’s 

most incredible predators underwater… 

Words Ella Carter 

Sharks are the top predators of nearly 

every kind of ocean ecosystem. They 

regulate the numbers of fish and other 

prey items in their environment, which 

in turn keeps everything else in delicate 

balance. Without them, the health of 

the ecosystem deteriorates rapidly. And 

yet, crucially important as they are, an 

estimated 100 million sharks are lost from 

our oceans every year thanks to illegal 

and unsustainable fishing. 

No encounter with a wild animal in their 

natural habitat is ever 100 per cent safe. 

However, swimming with sharks is a very 

rewarding experience, and with some 

responsible research and education it 

shouldn’t be scary at all. Instead, you’ll feel 

exhilarated to see such majestic creatures 

underwater. You will likely connect with 

these animals on a whole other level and 

help to spread the word that they are in 

desperate need of our protection. 

46

Swimming with sharks 

© Shutterstock 

47


Into the blue 

UK charity The Shark Trust knows what makes a good shark 

dive and how to make the most of the experience 

“There’s just something about them underwater 

that’s so spectacular,” says Paul Cox, director 

of The Shark Trust, the UK charity dedicated 

to safeguarding the future of global shark 

populations through positive change. “It’s a wild 

animal of some size, so elegant and so at home 

– it makes you realise that you’re just visiting.” 

We caught up with Paul to ask about his own 

shark diving experiences and to get some top 

tips for swimming with these amazing beasts. 

First up: “Find an operator that you can rely 

on,” Cox advises. “Search for operators linked 

to conservation and research and that have got 

a good educational ethos. Those operators are 

going to be safeguarding the health and safety 

of both the swimmers and the animals.” 

It’s important to do your research first and 

get to know the creatures you’re swimming 

with. “They have a right to be in that water and 

carry out their natural behaviour,” Cox says, 

“we must respect that. To the inexperienced, 

sharks can be unpredictable, and it’s important 

to understand how they behave and what that 

behaviour means.” 

As far as his own experiences are concerned, 

Cox’s first shark encounter was in Western 

Australia just off Ningaloo Reef. “A blacktip 

reef shark came up and started swimming 

around me, obviously quite interested in this 

clumsy, flappy thing on the surface!” Cox tells 

us. “Something just told me to keep my eyes on 

him – it was an amazing experience. Eventually 

he got bored and swam away; I guess the 

lesson from that is when you’re in the water 

with an animal the best thing to do is to remain 

calm and keep your eyes on it. If the shark 

leaves, swim quickly and purposefully away.” 

But you don’t need to travel to tropical 

climes for an incredible shark encounter. There 

are some amazing species right here in UK 

waters. “In the UK, you have the WiSe (Wildlife 

Safe) accreditation scheme that operators sign 

up to, setting standards of good practice for 

working in and around wildlife,” Cox explains. 

But despite the appearance of some impressive 

species around the UK, one continues to elude 

Cox. “I still haven’t seen a basking shark! Not 

even from a boat!” 

For more information about the work 

of The Shark Trust visit their website at 

www.sharktrust.org. 

Perfectly engineered 

These ancient predators are built for the kill 

Shark skeletons are made of cartilage, not bone 

like mammals. Cartilage is light and durable for 

buoyancy and efficient swimming. 

Sharks come in all sizes – the largest is the 

mighty whale shark, which can grow to a 

whopping 12.2 metres (40 feet) in length! 

Sharks have a sixth sense: electroreception. 

Sensitive pits called the ampullae of Lorenzini 

in their nose detect electric fields in the water. 

Sharks are older than dinosaurs! The first shark 

scales date back to the Silurian period – that’s 

around 443 million years ago! 

48


Top tips for 

shark diving 

These fish need to be treated with respect. 

Here are some tips for safe shark dives 

• Wear dull colours and never wear 

jewellery. Sharks can be attracted 

to bright colours 

• Avoid diving at dawn or dusk – this 

is when sharks are likely to be most 

active as they are feeding 

• Swim quickly and purposefully. 

Don’t splash on the surface or 

thrash around 

• Some species may attack if 

followed, so never pursue a shark 

• Do your research about the area, 

the species you may encounter and 

their behaviour 

“To the inexperienced, sharks can 

be unpredictable, and it’s important 

to understand how they behave 

and what that behaviour means” 

© Shutterstock 

49


Great white shark 

The king with the teeth, this ocean leviathan 

is a sight to behold underwater 

As the largest predatory fish on Earth, great whites have 

highly streamlined bodies and are superbly adapted for 

hunting underwater. Even their jaws are attached in such 

a way that they can thrust them forwards and create a 

partial vacuum to suck in prey! 

With acute chemosensory abilities, these fish can 

detect minute amounts of blood in water from up to five 

kilometres (3.1 miles) away. Their preferred food is seals 

thanks to their high fat content, and contrary to popular 

belief, us humans just don’t meet their nutritional needs. 

Due to their colossal size and strength, great whites 

can only be viewed underwater from the safety of a dive 

cage. Do your research to find an operator who clearly 

respects these creatures and promotes their conservation. 

Avoid those who chum irresponsibly and advertise these 

amazing creatures as mere ‘man-eaters’. 

How to see tHem 

where they live 

All the oceans of the world 

where to see them 

South Africa 

Best time of year 

June-September 

Tiger shark 

A large, striped hunter that isn’t fussy with its food! 

The tiger shark is probably the largest predator that you 

can swim with without needing a diving cage. These 

sharks can reach over four metres (13.1 feet) long and 

they get their name from the dark, horizontal stripes that 

cross their backs, which are more prominent on juveniles. 

As solitary hunters, tiger sharks have a less than discerning 

palate, eating everything from sea snakes to, sadly, human 

rubbish. Their willingness to sample pretty much anything 

that floats their way has earned tiger sharks the nickname 

of the ‘wastebaskets of the sea’. 

To dive with these amazing fish, Tiger Beach is the place 

to go. It’s a shallow sandbank around 40 kilometres (25 

miles) north of Grand Bahama Island. The water is crystalclear 

and it’s prime tiger shark habitat, where the sharks 

are reportedly quite used to the presence of divers. 



All tropical and 

subtropical oceans 


Bahamas 


Year-round 

“Probably the largest 

predator it’s possible 

to swim with without 

a diving cage” 

50




Indian & Pacific Oceans 


Philippines 


December-May 

Cage diving 

While cage diving is a great way to see 

great whites, you need to be responsible 

in your selection of tour operator. Some 

may bait the sharks to encourage 

behaviour like mouth gaping and other 

aggressive moves, which may make 

great souvenir photos but ultimately 

interferes with their natural behaviour. 

“During daylight these sharks 

are usually calm and can be 

found resting in coral crevices” 

Whitetip reef shark 

These sharks are the guardians of the reef 

Found cruising the coral reefs 

of the Indo-Pacific, the whitetip 

reef shark is easily identified by 

the white tip on its dorsal fin. 

They are medium-sized sharks, 

rarely reaching more than 1.6 

metres (5.2 feet) in length. 

Hunting at night, these sharks 

feast on bottom-dwelling critters 

like octopus and bony fish, using 

their amazing array of senses 

to find prey. With a dorsal fin 

set further back than on other 

species, these sharks can get 

their heads into most nooks and 

crannies for efficient hunting. 

Thanks to their common 

presence on reefs, diving with 

whitetips is relatively easy. Any 

dive on an Indo-Pacific reef 

could yield a sighting. 



Atlantic & Pacific Oceans 


UK 


May-October 

Basking shark 

These colossal filter feeders visit 

some UK coastlines every year! 

The basking shark is the UK’s largest fish, 

measuring up to 10 metres (33 feet) long! These 

giant sharks are filter feeders and they come 

to the UK every summer to feed on bounteous 

plankton blooming in our coastal waters. 

An awesome sight to behold underwater, 

basking sharks feed near the surface, meaning you 

can snorkel or dive next to these gentle giants as 

they filter between 1,500-2,000 cubic metres (1.5- 

2 million litres) of seawater per hour. They may not 

be predators, but don’t underestimate the strength 

of these beasts – be sure to keep your distance. 

A wide, gaping 

mouth helps the 

basking shark funnel 

plankton-laden water 

over its gills 

© Thinkstock; Alamy; Alex Mustard 

51


Hammerhead shark 

With their distinctive body shapes and large schools, 

these sharks are captivating swimmers 

There are nine species of 

hammerhead shark, the strange 

fish with mallet-shaped heads. The 

largest of the hammerhead sharks, 

the great hammerhead, grows up to 

six metres (19.7 feet) in length. 

Cruising tropical and temperate 

waters across the globe, these 

sharks have wide-set eyes that give 

them a larger field of vision and 

highly specialised sensory organs 

that allow them to sense more of 

the ocean around them. 



Atlantic, Indian & Pacific 

Oceans 


Galápagos Islands, Ecuador 


December-May 

Hammerheads mostly feed on 

stingrays, octopuses, crustaceans 

and fish that live on the sandy 

ocean floor. As well as other 

specialist functions, the shape of 

the hammerhead’s head helps it to 

excavate prey. 

Just a few hours offshore of the 

Galápagos will drop you in to – if 

you’re lucky – an entire school of the 

amazing scalloped hammerheads 

that glide by in formations of over 

100 individuals. 

All-ocean 

sharks 

A truly diverse group of 

animals, varying shark 

species inhabit all depths 

of the ocean 

Sunlight Zone 

(epipelagic) 

0-200m 

thresher shark 

megamouth shark 

mako shark 

Twilight Zone 

(mesopelagic) 

200-1,000m 

Goblin shark 

Greenland shark 

Cookiecutter shark 

Midnight Zone 

(bathypelagic) 

1,000-4,000m 

Frill shark 

Lantern shark 

Portuguese dogfish 

LEFT It’s not known why 

the hammerheads gather 

in such large schools 

“Cruising tropical oceans, 

these sharks have wideset 

eyes that give them 

a larger field of vision” 

52




Tropical, Atlantic, Pacific 

& Indian Oceans 


Mexico 


July-August 

Whale shark 

The largest fish in our oceans, these gentle giants are an 

incredible sight as they feed at the surface 

Reaching a colossal 12 metres (39.4 feet) 

long (and thought to grow even larger), 

whale sharks have long, tapered bodies 

patterned with light spots and a muscular 

tail, but their defining feature is a wide, 

gaping mouth. 

Like basking sharks, whale sharks are 

filter feeders. They migrate yearly to 

nutrient-rich feeding grounds and linger 

near the ocean surface where the sunlight 

A juvenile whale 

shark eats over 

21kg (46.3Ib) of 

krill per day! 

promotes large blooms of plankton. Similar 

to baleen whales, these sharks sieve out 

all of the copepods, larvae, fish eggs, krill, 

small fish and squid before swallowing! 

Seeing a whale shark in the water is an 

unreal experience. Ensure you’re on a very 

small tour of just a few people and when 

you’re in the water, relax and let the shark 

approach you. Never get in its way and 

don’t try to touch, stroke or ride it! 

Sand tiger 

sharks 

Despite a ferocious-looking mouth with 

huge, hooked teeth, these sharks can 

be some of the best diving buddies 

Sand tiger sharks are the only species of shark known to 

surface to gulp air, which they use for buoyancy. Multiple 

shipwrecks in the Atlantic off the coast of North Carolina 

host large numbers of these fish, lured to the wreckreefs 

thanks to the promise of food in the form of fish, 

skates and rays. They can be inquisitive, so stay calm and 

hold your nerve as they aren’t typically 

aggressive unless spooked or 

provoked. The sharks will often 

bite the wrecks to shed old 

teeth (a shark’s teeth are 

constantly replaced), 

which make an 

excellent souvenir. 

These sharks reach 

around 3m (9.8ft) in 

length and have rusty 

spots on their backs 



Temperate waters worldwide 


North Carolina, US 


May-October 

Bull sharks get their name 

from their blunt snout and 

tendency to head-butt prey 

Bull sharks 

The shark with the bad reputation that deserves a second chance 

Stocky and muscular, these sharks 

are very burly beasts. They like 

shallow, murky water and thanks to 

their adapted kidneys, they can also 

survive prolonged periods in fresh 

water. Unfortunately, it’s these types 

of habitats that can bring them 

into contact with humans, which 

can end in disaster. You can help to 

quash their reputation as ruthless 

man-eaters by taking a (fully 

supervised) dive and witnessing 

these important apex predators 

underwater doing what they do 

best, undisturbed and unprovoked. 



Tropical oceans across 

the world 


Fiji 


Year-round 

© Alamy/Martin Strmiska; Rodrigo Friscione 

53




Tropical and temperate 

oceans across the world 


Bahamas 


April-May 

Oceanic white 

tip sharks 

These medium-sized sharks grow to 

around three metres (9.8 feet) long 

Bigger and wider than the reef sharks of the same name, 

these ocean-going fish also have white tips to their dorsal 

fins. Mostly solitary, these sharks are scavengers and so 

will show an interest in anything floating on the surface 

that might be food. With this in mind, diving (as opposed 

to snorkelling) with these sharks is advised. Swim smoothly 

and calmly – white tips are a very curious species and will 

often investigate divers, so simply hang in the water and 

let them do their thing! 

“While diving with thresher sharks 

keep your eye on their tail” 

Sharks in aquariums 

There are two sides to this story – what do you think? 

It’s a tricky subject; as large animals these predators absolutely 

belong in the ocean. However, appearing in aquariums allows all 

kinds of people to observe, connect with and love sharks, which 

helps raise awareness for their conservation. 

Thresher sharks 

One of the more elusive sharks, it’s a 

wondrous sight to find one underwater! 

© Thinkstock; Alamy/Todd Winner; Doug Perrine 

Characterised by their exceptionally long, scythe-like 

pointed tail, these sharks (of which there are three 

species) can reach over six metres (19.7 feet) in length. 

Thresher sharks live across the world’s oceans (apart 

from in Arctic and Antarctic waters) but are quite elusive 

and therefore hard to spot. Malapascua Island in the 

Philippines is one of the only places to dive with them. 

They are known to live away from shore, using their tale 

as a whip-like weapon to herd and stun fish. While diving 

with thresher sharks keep your distance and keep your 

eyes on their tail (as well as their teeth) at all times. 

The thresher shark’s huge 

tail accounts for 33 per cent 

of its body weight 



All the oceans of the world 


Philippines 


Year-round 

54

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23 

Amazing 

facts 

Red 

pandas 

This fiery little panda has extra thumbs, 

rotating ankles and a fear of the heat 

They have many other names 

Despite having quite a small geographic range, the red 

panda has a huge number of common names. Some of 

these names are inspired by the panda’s unusual colour, 

such as the red cat-bear, the fire fox and the bright 

panda. Other common names make reference to its visual 

similarity to other animals. Examples include the Himalayan 

raccoon and the fox bear. They are also sometimes called 

the cat bear because they clean their faces like cats. 

There are two different types 

There are two subspecies of red panda. The western 

red panda lives in Nepal, northern India and Bhutan, 

while the Styan’s red panda lives in southern China and 

northern Myanmar, and is usually larger than its relative 

and has darker fur. Some are even brown instead of red. 

They eat thousands of leaves 

Bamboo contains little nutrition and is hard 

to digest. This means that red pandas need 

to feed almost the entire time they are 

awake in order to sustain themselves. They 

need to consume around 20-30 per cent of 

their body weight every day to stay alive, 

which can be up to 20,000 leaves! 

They’re famous for standing tall 

If threatened, red pandas stand on their hind 

legs to appear larger. Futa, a male red panda 

who lived in Chiba Zoological Park in Japan, 

became famous in 2005 for being able to stand 

upright for over ten seconds. He even appeared 

in a soft drinks advert! 

Their tails help them hide 

The six rings on red panda's 

tail are thought to help with 

camouflage. Their tails are 

also useful for balance as 

they move through the trees, 

but they aren't prehensile. 

They use their tails as scarves 

Life can be extreme in the Himalayas, so red 

pandas are adapted to cope with low temperatures 

during the winter months. They have a thick double 

coat of fur that covers their entire body including the 

bottom of their feet, allowing them to stay warm 

even in snowy conditions. At night, they sleep up in 

the trees away from the snow, and wrap their thick 

bushy tails around themselves like a stripy scarf. 

A red panda's life 

expectancy is ten years 

in the wild, and the oldest 

known captive individual 

was a male from Rotterdam 

Zoo in the Netherlands who 

lived for nearly 22 years. 

Populations of both types 

of red panda have been 

falling in recent years due 

to hunting and habitat loss. 

Recently re-classified as 

Endangered, it's thought only 

around 2,500 remain. 

Females have a home 

territory of about 2.6 

square kilometres (one 

square mile), but males 

can defend a territory 

over twice that size. 

The first description of a red 

panda was published in 1825 

by French zoologist Frédéric 

Cuvier, 48 years before the 

giant panda was recorded. 

Red pandas weigh between 

5.4 and nine kilograms 

(12 to 20 pounds). 

56

Their skulls are 

made for chewing 

It's thought the name ‘panda’ 

comes from the Nepalese word 

‘ponya’, which means ‘bambooeating 

animal’. True to their name 

red pandas mainly eat bamboo, 

although they also feed on a 

variety of berries, nuts, roots, 

grasses and even small birds, 

rodents and eggs. Their skulls are 

adapted for chewing the leaves of 

bamboo plants, unlike the giant 

panda, which is able to crush the 

trunks and stems. 

They turn their 

ankles backwards 

Red pandas spend much of their 

time high up in the tree tops and 

bamboo thickets, where they are 

relatively safe from predators such 

as snow leopards, and also able to 

forage for food. Red pandas come 

down to the ground regularly to 

move between plants, and are one 

of the few mammals that can rotate 

their ankles backwards to help 

control their descent. This makes 

them highly adept climbers, critical 

for reaching the food they need. 

They have 

unusually 

dark eyes 

It’s thought that the 

distinctive markings 

on the red panda's 

face reflect light, which 

helps to keep it out of 

their eyes. Red pandas also 

have unusually dark eyes, 

which enables them to see well 

in low light, allowing them to move 

around the forest floor at dusk 

and dawn when changing trees in 

search of food. 

Red pandas are incredibly sensitive to temperature changes, 

and can’t tolerate more than 25 degrees Celsius (77 

degrees Fahrenheit) due to their thick coats. 

They can bleat like a lamb 

Red pandas have been 

recorded making several 

different types of call, including 

whistles, squeals and bleats. 

During the breeding season, 

males often make a twittering 

sound to attract mates. 

They build tree-top nests 

Most pregnant red pandas 

build nests out of vegetation 

inside hollow trees, although 

some give birth in caves or 

bamboo thickets. Litters 

are generally just two cubs, 

although they can have up to 

four babies at once. Cubs stay 

in their nest for the first few 

months, but are independent 

by around eight months old. 

Male red pandas are solitary 

for the majority of the time, 

only coming into contact with 

others during the breeding 

season. Females also like to 

stay away from other adults, 

but often share territories 

with their offspring until the 

following breeding season, 

even once their babies 

become independent. 

Red pandas rely upon just 

two species of bamboo for 

most of their diet, so they are 

restricted to the temperate 

and subtropical forests where 

these are found. They overlap 

with giant panda territories 

in China, and live alongside 

other iconic species such 

as snow leopards and 

Himalayan black bears. 

Red pandas and giant 

pandas are both found in 

the Carnivora order, but 

aren’t very closely related. It’s 

thought to have been over 

40 million years since they 

shared a common ancestor. 

Red pandas are more similar 

to raccoons. 

As bamboo grows quite densely, 

red pandas only need to move a 

few hundred feet per day. 

They have an 

extra ‘thumb’ 

Red pandas and giant pandas 

both have a special extension of 

their wrist bone known as a ‘false 

thumb’. This is used to help grasp 

and strip bamboo, and also helps 

red pandas with climbing. DNA 

evidence shows that both species 

seem to have developed this 

feature independently, a process 

known as ‘convergent evolution’. 

They are great 

escape artists 

When a red panda broke out of 

its inclosure at Rotterdam Zoo in 

1978, the event gave rise to a new 

psychological observation. Sadly, 

the escapee died, but this didn't 

stop over 100 people reporting 

sightings of it. It's thought that 

because people expected to see a 

red panda, they did. This is known 

as the Red Panda Effect. 

© Thinkstock; Dreamstime 

57

Conserving 

bald eagle 

Bald eagles are the national 

animal of the United States, 

but in the 1970s they 

almost disappeared. We 

take a look at what it took 

to bring them back from 

the brink 

THE 

Words Laura Mears 

With a wingspan ranging from 1.8-2.4 metres (5.9-7.9 feet) 

and distinctive brown and white feathers, these iconic 

animals are a symbol of strength, independence and 

longevity in the United States. But a population that once 

numbered in the hundreds of thousands plummeted to 

fewer than 500 in the mid-20th century. 

Dr Bryan Watts, professor of Conservation Biology and 

director of the Center for Conservation Biology at Virginia 

Commonwealth University explains how these beautiful 

birds came face to face with extinction, and what it took 

to save them. 

“Bald eagles, like many other species high on the food 

chain, were pulled down by DDT and other persistent 

contaminants,” he tells us. “The population was in a 

demographic free fall.” 

Bald eagles are opportunistic predators. They hunt 

in and around water, taking down waterfowl and small 

mammals, and will also eat discarded carcasses or steal 

prey from other birds. With their strong beaks and sharp 

talons, they are both revered and feared, and in the 19th 

and 20th centuries they were considered a threat. 

Perceived as a danger to livestock, and even children, 

they were shot in their tens of thousands, both legally and 

illegally. Some were trapped, others were poisoned, and 

still more collided with buildings and power lines. 

“In many ways eagles had been in decline for decades, 

and DDT was the last straw,” Dr Watts explains. Dichlorodiphenyl-trichloroethane 

(DDT) turns eagle eggshells into 

dust. Developed in the 1940s, the pesticide was liberally 

sprayed across the continent to control diseases spread 

by insects and to keep pests away from crops and trees. 

But the chemical leached into the soil and waterways and 

entered the food chain. 

It collected in earthworms and accumulated in the fatty 

tissues of fish. Though each only contained a tiny amount 

58

Bald eagle 

© Design Pics Inc/Alamy 

59

Conserving the bald eagle 

Bald EaglE 

Haliaeetus leucocephalus 

Class Aves 

Territory North America 

diet Fish, reptiles, sea birds 

and small mammals 


adult weight 2.9-6.4kg 

(6.5-14lb) 

Conservation Status 

LEAST CONCERN 

of the poison, they were 

eaten by small predators, 

which in turn were preyed 

upon by larger predators. 

By the time the poison 

reached the top of the 

food chain, it had been 

concentrated many times 

over. Bald eagles can live 

for decades, allowing the 

toxic chemical and its 

breakdown products to 

slowly accumulate. 

DDT doesn’t kill birds 

directly, but it has disastrous 

effects on reproduction. 

It affects the way that they process calcium – a vital 

component of eggshells – thinning the protective covering 

that keeps developing eaglets safe. The eggs of poisoned 

birds split open before the chicks have a chance to 

develop, and some eagles become unable to reproduce. 

“The single most important factor in turning things 

around was the banning of DDT and like compounds in 

1972,” says Dr Watts. “Eagles were declining at a rate of 10 

per cent per year prior to this, and increased by 8 per cent 

per year after. That act bent the curve upward.” 

A key trigger for this change was Rachel Carson’s book 

Silent Spring. Published in 1962, it outlined the damage 

that pesticides like DDT were doing to the environment 

and to America’s iconic birds. A year later, when eagle 

numbers reached a record low, the public pushed the 

government to make a change. 

Bald eagles were already protected under federal 

law, but they needed further safeguards. In the 1940s, 

the US Government passed The Bald and Golden Eagle 

Protection Act, banning the killing and trading of bald 

eagles and their eggs, nests and body parts. But drastic 

steps were required to reverse the population decline. 

DDT was banned almost entirely in 1972, and in 1978 

bald eagles were listed as Endangered. “This allowed us to 

protect habitats and nesting birds,” explains Dr Watts. 

The eagles’ Endangered status stepped up the 

restrictions offered by the Protection Act, shoring up the 

ban on taking, harming or trading eagles, and putting in 

place measures to restore the species. The government 

worked together with states and private landowners to 

incentivise the management of existing eagle populations 

and conserve their habitat. Safety zones of up to 1.6 

kilometres (one mile) were implemented around bald eagle 

nests, preventing logging and construction. Water quality 

was improved and reintroduction programmes began. 

Eagles were released into areas that had lost their 

native birds and the American public were educated 

about protecting their national animal. Slowly but surely, 

populations began to recover. In 2007, as the population 

neared 10,000, the US Fish and Wildlife Service were 

finally able to remove bald eagles from the list of 

Endangered and Threatened Species. 

“Ongoing protections under The Bald and Golden Eagle 

Act facilitate habitat protections and protection of nesting 

Bald eagle in numbers 

1978 417 200 2 10,000 35 2007 

6.1 

metres 

The depth in 

metres of the 

largest recorded 

bald eagle nest. 

The year the 

bald eagle was 

first declared 

Endangered 

in 43 of the 48 

lower states. 

PAIRS 

The lowest 

number of 

breeding pairs 

ever recorded 

by scientists. 

CM 

An eagle’s 

average 

wingspan in 

centimetres. 

The average 

number 

of eggs a 

nesting 

eagle lays in 

a clutch. 

The number of 

nesting eagles 

currently living 

in the lower 

48 states of 

America. 

days 

The average 

number of days 

a bald eagle egg 

takes to hatch. 

The year the 

bald eagle was 

removed from 

the federal list 

of Endangered 

species. 

A bald eagle 

is released 

back into the 

wild in Alaska 

“Bald eagles can dive at 

speeds of up to 160.9 

kilometres per hour” 

60

Bald eagle 

Saving 

America’s eagles 

Public, private and governmental organisations 

are working together to safeguard bald eagles 

The US 

government 

Since the 1940s, 

the Bald Eagle 

and Golden Eagle 

Protection Act 

has prohibited 

people from taking, 

trading or killing 

bald eagles and 

their eggs. The ban 

extends to their 

feathers and nests. 

birds from disturbance. This has continued the ongoing 

recovery,” Dr Watts tells us. 

Though the birds are no longer protected as 

endangered species, the act still puts a heavy price on 

taking, selling or harming eagles, carrying a maximum 

penalty of a year-long prison sentence and a fine of 

$100,000 (£77,600). On top of this deterrent, work is 

ongoing to protect the eagles’ habitat, monitor their 

welfare, and rescue, rehabilitate and release injured birds. 

“The centre here continues to monitor the population, 

which allows agencies to enforce the law. Well beyond 

this role, we do most of the ecological and conservation 

research that feeds into policy and the development of 

management techniques,” Dr Watts explains. 

One such technique is tracking. Working with the US 

Department of Defence, the centre has been running one 

of the largest eagle tracking programmes in the world. 

Using GPS and GSM transmitters, they are monitoring the 

movements of over 70 bald eagles. 

At the start of the breeding season, the team also fly 

over Virginia in a Cessna 172 aircraft. From a vantage point 

100 metres (328 feet) above the ground, they scour the 

trees for nests, recording each one on a map and checking 

for the presence of bald eagles and their eggs. A couple 

of months later, the aircraft returns to find out whether 

breeding has been successful. When surveys began in the 

1950s, there were just a handful of nests. Today, there are 

over 1,000. But bald eagles aren’t out of the woods yet. 

“Lead is likely the most significant risk to eagles that has 

emerged in recent years. Eagles and some other raptors 

Eagle adaptations 

Bald eagles are at the top of the food 

chain, and it’s not hard to see why 

Super storage 

Eagles have a pouch in their 

throat called a crop. It can 

hold nearly 1kg (2.2lb) of 

meat, allowing them to fill 

up on food every few days. 

Fearsome beak 

Like other raptors, bald 

eagles have a hooked 

beak adapted for tearing. 

The upper edge is scissorsharp 

and overlaps with 

the lower edge, slicing 

through prey with ease. 

Balanced diet 

Bald eagles love to eat fish, 

but they aren’t fussy when it 

comes to food. They’ll also take 

on ducks, gulls, geese, prairie 

dogs, raccoons and rabbits. 

The Center for 

Conservation 

Biology 

The VaEagles team 

lead the restoration 

and management 

effort for bald 

eagles in the state 

of Virginia. The 

local population 

has climbed from 

30 pairs to over 700 

since the 1970s. 

alaska 

Raptor Center 

The centre treats 

and rehabilitates 

over 100 injured 

bald eagles every 

year, releasing as 

many as possible 

back into the wild. 

They also conduct 

research and work 

to educate the 

general public. 

Vice-like grip 

A bald eagle can grip tentimes 

harder than a human. 

Once they’ve closed their 

talons, their tendons lock into 

place like a ratchet, preventing 

prey from getting free. 

© Dreamstime; Thinkstock; Design Pics Inc/Alamy Stock Photo 

61

ABOVE A young bald eagle 

is weighed, measured and 

tagged by conservationists 

are very sensitive to even small 

amounts of lead,” Dr Watts tells 

us. The toxic metal, like DDT, 

builds up in animals’ systems 

over time. 

Lead shot has been banned 

for the hunting of waterfowl 

since 1991, but it’s still used to 

kill deer, and is also found in 

fishing tackle, contaminating 

the waterways. “Deer hunting is 

widespread and when deer are 

shot the bullet appears to fragment 

and disperse throughout the carcass. 

Hunters dress the deer and discard 

the organs,” Dr Watts explains. “Eagles 

feeding on gut piles pick up small fragments 

and are sensitive to it. 

“In recent decades, as the population has 

recovered, we have seen lead become the single most 

significant factor for admittance of eagles to rehabilitation 

facilities. The problem could be eliminated by shifting to 

copper bullets or burying gut piles. This is an education 

and behavioral change problem.” 

The Obama administration banned lead ammunition 

and fishing tackle on federal land in an attempt to protect 

wildlife from lead poisoning, but in March 2017 the Trump 

administration overturned the ban. Conservationists were 

understandably distressed by the decision, but Dr Watts 

remains positive. “Some hunting groups are changing their 

practices voluntarily,” he tells us. “I think that it sends the 

wrong conservation message, as do many of his policies, 

but we will have to see how much of an impact this has.” 

Despite the ongoing struggles for bald eagles in the 

wild, they are a real conservation success story. “The truth 

is that here in the Chesapeake Bay we have the largest 

population of eagles that we have likely had since colonial 

times. This is also true for osprey and for our large heron, 

the great blue heron. We have entered into a golden age 

of eagles. That is truly a testament to the two decisions 

that were made in the 1970s to ban DDT and to list eagles 

as Endangered.” 

Thanks to conservation efforts, bald eagles have made 

it back from the brink, and Dr Watts is keen to emphasise 

the role of the American people in rescuing their national 

bird. “One of the satisfying things about the recovery is 

that society made it happen. It’s the result of decisions the 

public made, and they should be proud of the outcome.” 

Aerial daredevils, bald eagles have 

been observed grabbing each other’s 

feet and spinning towards the ground 

American eagles 

Thanks to conservation efforts, bald eagles are found across North America 

© freevectormaps.com; Alamy/John Hyde; NatPar Collection 

Key 

Winter 

Summer (breeding) 

Year round 

62

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AN 

UNCERTAIN 

FUTURE 

Great crested newts are currently 

protected by EU law, but could Brexit 

have grave consequences for this 

popular amphibian? 

Words Phil Morris 

64

An uncertain future 

The UK has already started the formal process of 

leaving the European Union, and that could have grave 

consequences for one of the UK’s most loved amphibians. 

The great crested newt is currently protected by the EU 

Habitats Directive – European legislation that outlaws 

housing developments being built near newt habitats. As 

such, the great crested newt has become a Brexit symbol 

of EU red tape, and is now facing an uncertain future 

if the UK government decides to repeal the protective 

legislation. Numbers of newts have been dramatically 

decreasing for decades because of habitat destruction 

– they are endangered across parts of Europe, and 

the plight of these amphibians looks set to hang in the 

balance of post-Brexit law makers. 

Stephen Trotter, director for England at The Wildlife 

Trusts, believes that the UK has “an international 

responsibility to look after great crested newts,” because 

the UK’s population of the species is relatively high. “All 

the scientific indications are that great crested newts are 

still rare and endangered at a European level,” says Trotter. 

“But in England in particular, there are places where 

numbers seem to be quite numerous at first glance, but 

Below Newts have yellow- or 

orange-coloured undersides and are 

covered in large, black blotches that 

are unique to each individual 

“European Union legislation currently outlaws the 

building of housing developments near newt habitats” 

© Dreamstime 

65


overall their population is highly threatened and vulnerable. 

All of the indications are that numbers haven’t recovered 

to any extent where you could even think about removing 

the protection.” And that is exactly what could happen, 

which would have very real consequences for great 

crested newts. 

Newts have become controversial because of the 

protection afforded to them under EU law and the 

restrictions placed on frustrated developers to ensure their 

ongoing survival. Brexit supporters say this protection 

has become emblematic of European red tape. George 

Osborne, the former chancellor, said the legislation placed 

“ridiculous costs on British business.” Agriculture minister 

George Eustice described it as “spirit crushing”. 

Calls for change have been getting louder and louder, 

from both politicians and developers, and Trotter agrees 

to some extent that change 

Great crested newt 

Triturus cristatus 

class Amphibia 

territory The UK, central and 

eastern Europe 

diet Tadpoles, young froglets, 

worms, insect larvae and 

water snails 

Lifespan Up to 14 years 

adult weight N/A 

conservation status 

LEAST CONCERN 

is necessary. “The way in 

Britain that we manage and 

license those populations 

– and we agree with 

developers – has been very 

bureaucratic, administrative 

and a bit of a nightmare. 

We will be the first people 

to say that there is a major 

opportunity to refresh and 

review the way the licensing 

system works. The process 

is so bureaucratic that there 

are often holdups. We can 

understand developers’ 

frustrations, as it can take 

Newt habitats Where in the world can you find a newt? 

Newt populations are strong in the UK, but this amphibian can 

also be found across northern and central Europe and as far 

east as Russia. You won’t find newts near the warmer climates 

of the Mediterranean, though. 

Key 

Current range 

Female newts lay 

around 250 eggs 

during breeding 

season, positioning 

them on submerged 

aquatic plants 

“We have got to make sure 

we don’t lose – deliberately or 

inadvertently – the protection for 

these species” Stephen Trotter, director for England at The Wildlife Trusts 

ages to get resolved. Yes, let’s have smarter legislation, but 

no protection is not an option from our perspective.” 

A new approach to conservation is being trialled by 

Woking Borough Council in Surrey. The new Natural 

England scheme, which is set to roll out to 150 local 

authorities in the next three years, looks to streamline the 

licensing process for housing developers. As part of the 

project, great crested newt habitat is enhanced or created 

prior to any development taking place, saving developers 

time and money, and making newt populations more 

healthy and resilient. 

On paper, this sounds like great news for newt colonies 

up and down the country, but The Wildlife Trusts remain 

How can you tell a 

male from a female? 

There are some subtle differences 

between male and female newts 

66


A year in the life of an adult great crested newt 

spring awakening 

As winter turns to spring and the 

weather becomes warmer, great 

crested newts begin to emerge from 

hibernation. They will immediately 

make a short journey towards water, 

favouring a large, densely planted 

pond with no fish in it so they can 

avoid becoming hunted. 

courtship 

The main purpose of heading to the 

pond is to breed. Male great crested 

newts will perform elaborate dances 

to woo female companions, who 

will then lay individual eggs on plant 

leaves. The female will then carefully 

wrap the eggs up in leaves in order to 

protect them. 

Hatching 

At any time between three and four 

weeks later (it all depends on the 

weather) larvae will hatch from the 

eggs. These newt tadpoles are easily 

distinguishable from frog and toad 

species by the feathery gills around 

their heads, mottled appearance and 

a tiny filament at the end of their tails. 

Below These efficient 

hunters are willing to 

sit and wait for prey to 

pass, which can include 

spiders, slugs and 

earthworms 

Hunting 

As summer approaches, adult newts 

will take advantage of the breeding 

season of frogs and toads to hunt for 

their tadpoles. During this time, the 

young newts are starting to grow 

front and back legs. When the young 

absorb their gills, it’s time for them to 

leave the pond. 

winter months 

Great crested newts hibernate in the 

cold, dark winter months, seeking out 

protection under rocks, in compost 

heaps, inside burrows dug by 

mammals or even in the cracks of old 

walls. They will exploit milder weather 

to search for food, but they don’t head 

back to the pond until spring. 

“ Yes, let’s have smarter 

legislation, but no 

protection is not an option 

from our perspective” 

concerned. “We are very nervous about the way it might 

all work,” says Trotter. “The tests in Woking are unproven 

in our eyes because it’s relaxing some of the tests and 

some of the requirements without having first established 

that the new ways of working actually work. A lot of this 

will depend on having people who understand newts 

working with developers to make sure new habitats and 

ponds are designed and implemented in the right places 

and the right way to enhance the newt population. There’s 

a real fear that these expertise won’t be available to them.” 

The trial has understandably been greeted positively 

by housing developers across the UK. Ross Murray, 

president of the Country Land and Business Association 

said: “The initiative has the potential to transform habitat 

preservation for important species, while at the same 

time reducing costs and uncertainty for landowners 

considering development 

across England. 

We welcome 

© Dreamstime; Thinkstock; Avalon/Photoshot License/Alamy ; Minden Pictures; Nature Photographers Ltd; Solvin Zankl; Joe Blossom 

Females are bigger than males, 

typically measuring 11-13cm (4.3- 

5.1in) long, while males average 

11-12cm (4.3in-4.7in) in length. 

Females also have a 

yellow-orange stripe along 

the edge of their tails, but 

no crest on their backs. 

Newt larvae have 

feathery gills 

around their head, 

distinguishing 

them from frog 

and toad tadpoles 

67

Under threat 

The great crested newt isn’t 

the only animal facing an 

uncertain future 

The skin of a 

great crested 

newt is black 

or dark brown 

and has a 

rough, warty 

appearance 

“Great crested newts 

can be found on 

land and in water. 

In fact, they spend 

most of the winter 

on land hibernating” 

dormouse difficulties 

Due to habitat fragmentation 

the tiny common dormouse 

– the only UK mammal with a 

distinctive furry tail – has found 

itself protected by EU legislation. 

a step back for bats? 

All bats across the EU are listed 

as ‘protected species of animal’. 

It is an offence to injure a bat, but 

also to recklessly damage or 

destroy its shelter. 

a rodent in the red 

The red squirrel, which is in 

danger of being wiped out in 

mainland England and Wales, is 

protected by national law but not 

the European Habitats Directive. 

avoiding otter devastation 

Otters are also currently 

protected by EU law, which 

ensures that planning authorities 

need to assess the impact 

growth has on these mammals. 

the proactive way that Natural England has sought to 

address this problem.” The CEO of Amphibian and Reptile 

Conservation, Tony Gent, provided cautious optimism 

by suggesting that: “This new initiative provides an 

opportunity for real gains for great crested newts by 

improving the way the regulations are applied.” 

It’s clear that much is still unknown about Brexit and the 

effect it will have on great crested newts. In fact, Trotter 

tells us that he has the personal word of a government 

minister that not all environment protection for rare 

species will be removed. “We’re hoping it won’t be 

repealed; all indications are that it will go into the Great 

Repeal Act,” Trotter explains. “The government is saying 

to us at the moment that all the European protections 

we have will be transposed into British law, so we’re not 

expecting any changes imminently.” 

That’s certainly good news for the UK’s population of 

great crested newts, but the amphibian was mentioned 

eight times in a recent government housing white paper, 

and Prime Minister Theresa May has promised to remove 

unnecessary red tape. “There are risks attached to 

Brexit,” Trotter admits. “We’ve got to make sure we don’t 

lose – deliberately or inadvertently – the protection for 

these key species. People weren’t voting to remove the 

environmental protections that we have in this country. 

The key question for us is that great crested newts 

deserve protection.” 

Despite the uncertainty, The Wildlife Trusts are busy 

ensuring that great crested newts continue to thrive. 

“We need to create more ponds, and more suitable grass 

and woodland habitats around those ponds so we can 

increase the number of newts,” says Trotter. Even when 

new housing developments are built, Trotter argues that 

creating green space around them should be a priority so 

that everyone can enjoy the benefits. “We’re really keen 

that children and people of all ages living in new housing 

developments will benefit from these green areas as well.” 

While Brexit could have dramatic consequences for 

great crested newts, plans are firmly in place to protect 

one of the UK’s most-loved amphibians. With general 

agreement from all sides that these newts must be 

preserved, there is good reason to be optimistic. 

© Dreamstime; Thinkstock 

68

ost forever 

Bubal hartebeest 

This proud-looking antelope stood tall 

above the African savannah for over 1,000 

years before being cut down by invading 

armies of soldiers and sport hunters 

Distinctive horns 

These curved 

outwards, with 

the tips pointing 

towards the back of 

the animal. 

Ancient burial 

Bubal hartebeest skulls 

have been found during 

excavations of ancient 

Egyptian tombs. 

Algeria 

Hunted for its coat 

Local tribes made 

cloaks from the skin 

and the meat could be 

turned into stew. 

Body colour 

The bubal’s hide 

is believed to have 

been pale brown or 

reddish in colour. 

It is always a tragedy when humans extirpate 

a species, but the loss feels especially great 

when it’s an animal that was revered by an 

ancient civilisation. A classic example is the bubal 

hartebeest, or bubal, which once roamed across 

North Africa. Historians believe that ancient 

Egyptians may have sacrificed the bubal, and it 

has been depicted in hieroglyphs from that period. 

Large herds were still being reported in its known 

range up until just a few centuries ago. Sadly, 

though, this elegant desert antelope’s long history 

seems to have been brought to a premature end 

by colonial ambitions and the negligence of 19th 

century European hunters. 

The bubal is one of eight subspecies of 

hartebeest. The common name of the species 

derives from the Dutch words ‘hert’ and ‘beest’, 

which translate as ‘deer beast’. Remains of the 

bubal, along with written or spoken accounts, 

indicate that it occurred in Egypt, Morocco, 

Algeria, Tunisia and Libya, grazing in grasslands 

and open forests. Its taxonomy is credited to 

the 18th century German biologist Peter Simon 

Pallas, although he doesn’t appear to have ever 

encountered a bubal in the wild. 

Colonels in the French colonial army that 

invaded Algeria in 1830 did see bubal and 

apparently massacred large numbers of them. 

Bubal would have been an easy target for hunters 

armed with rifles. Individuals were also killed by 

local people for their skin and meat. By the late 

19th century, the bubal’s range had significantly 

contracted. In 1933, the bubal was declared 

off-limits to hunters from countries that were 

signatories to the London Convention. 

Even so, in 1945, American naturalist Francis 

Harper wrote in Extinct And Vanishing Mammals 

Of The Old World – a publication for the 

American Committee for International Wild Life 

Protection – that the bubal would go extinct. 

Last seen… 

Date: 1950s 

Location: Algeria 

There is confusion over where and when the 

last living specimen of bubal hartebeest died. 

According to a quote in Harper’s Extinct And 

Vanishing Mammals Of The Old World, the sole 

survivor was a female that died in Paris in 

1923. Harper himself, however, declares that 

the bubal still existed in Morocco in 1925. The 

entry for the bubal in the IUCN’s Red List of 

Threatened Species, meanwhile, states that 

the last individual in North Africa was shot in 

Algeria between 1945 and 1954. 

“Historians believe 

ancient Egyptians 

revered the bubal” 

© freevectormaps.com; Alan Batley 

69

All about orcas 

70

All About 

Orcas 

Forget the great white shark – this giant 

dolphin is the ocean’s most fearsome 

predator and it can live longer than the 

average human 

Words Amy Grisdale 

© Brandon Cole Marine Photography/Alamy 

71


Female-led societies 

The killer whale is all about female 

empowerment, and while males may be larger, 

females completely rule the roost 

Unlike many mammal species, where the big, 

strong male is in charge, orca pods are led by 

a mature female who decides where to go and 

coordinates each hunt. Her children and their 

offspring follow her obediently and remain by 

her side for life. 

Nobody demonstrates this more than Granny, 

an orca that lived to an estimated age of 105 off 

the coast of British Columbia. She led her family 

of 25 on journeys covering thousands of miles 

until her death in late 2016. 

Killer cooperation 

These intelligent hunters work in groups 

Orca behaviour 

A glimpse inside the exceptional mind 

of the true ruler of the deep 

These animals communicate and coordinate to form 

unstoppable hunting teams, and the instinct to kill is strong 

from the very beginning. Adult orcas prolong the agony 

of their prey to allow juveniles to practise their techniques, 

which are learned by watching older whales in action. This 

is called observational learning and is a sign of immense 

brainpower. Calves learn to use every part of their body as 

a weapon, from their sharp teeth to their powerful tail. 

Not only do these animals have fantastic cognitive 

ability, their emotional intelligence could be beyond that 

of humans. The limbic system is the brain’s emotion 

centre and in orcas it is enlarged and more complex than 

in a human brain. The social cohesion shown by orcas 

is unmatched by any land mammal, and very few other 

animals remain with their family as long as killer whales do. 

This species has developed culture, and orca groups 

around the world behave and even look differently. At 

least nine distinct orca populations have been identified 

and each is specialised to feed on a specific diet. Resident 

orcas stay in the same place all year round and feed on 

fish. Alaskan orcas feast on salmon, whereas those around 

Russia prefer mackerel. In general, these resident whales 

have larger family groups than travellers and develop 

unique hunting strategies. 

Transient killer whales swim from place to place hunting 

mammals from seals to minke whales. This type of orca 

“These animals have 

fantastic cognitive ability, 

and their emotional 

intelligence could be 

beyond that of humans” 

Unseating seals 

Groups of orcas charge at ice floes to dislodge 

resting seals with a powerful wave. These 

animals are one of the most successful hunters 

on Earth, killing 95 per cent of the prey they set 

out to catch. 

Carousel feeding 

Pods herd migrating herrings into tight balls by 

flashing their white undersides and beaming 

out bursts of bubbles. Once the fish have been 

forced together, the orcas slap their tails on the 

surface to stun them. 

Beaching 

Orcas off the coast of Argentina intentionally 

beach themselves to catch sea lion pups. This 

risky strategy is only possible when the tide is 

high and when rainfall is at a peak, so it only 

happens a few times a year. 

72

Orcas 

A female orca launches 

herself on to the beach 

in an attempt to snatch a 

Patagonian sea lion 

travels from the Arctic Circle to the equator in small but 

closely-bonded pods. Unfortunately, these animals develop 

extremely high concentrations of toxins in their blubber. 

This is a side-effect of eating other mammals, as pollutants 

accumulate in the fat of dolphins and porpoises and 

transfer through the food chain to the orca at the top. 

Offshore orca groups live in the open ocean and are 

genetically different to other killer whales. These are the 

smallest orcas in the Northern Hemisphere and evidence 

suggests that their teeth wear quickly because they feed 

on sharks and other thick-skinned fish. Every individual 

type has its own dialect and they do not mate outside of 

their own kind. 

Diet and feeding 

While each subspecies has its own 

diet, most eat roughly the same 

amount of food 

An average male orca eats 170kg 

(375lb) of food per day in the wild 

That’s 4% of its 

body weight 

Acrobatics 

Leaping out of the water is known as breaching, 

and it is a common behaviour in wild orcas. It 

may serve a communication function, dislodge 

skin parasites or help to remove dead skin cells, 

but nobody knows for sure. 

Long-distance travel 

These animals can travel up to 160 kilometres 

(100 miles) each day, often in straight ‘chorus 

lines’. There is little evidence to suggest that 

they migrate due to weather conditions, so this 

epic swimming is normally in search of food. 

Spyhopping 

In order to visually observe their surroundings, 

orcas will pop up out of the water to take a look 

around. This behaviour is known as spyhopping, 

and alongside humpback whales, orcas are 

thought to be the most prolific exhibitors of it. 

© Alamy/John Hyde/Design Pics Inc; The Art Agency/Peter Scott; Alamy/Hiroya Minakuchi/Minden Pictures 

73


Anatomy of the orca 

Fine-tuned by more than 50 million years of 

evolution, the orca’s body is a machine designed to 

swim, hunt and kill. While this predator walked on 

land in a former life, the modern orca is perfectly 

adapted for the ocean. 

Dorsal fin 

Despite standing as high 

as 1.8 metres (six feet) tall, 

this fin is made of fibrous 

collagen and does not 

contain any bones. 

ORCA 

Orcinus orca 

Class Mammalia 

Territory All the oceans of 

the world 

Diet Carnivore 

Lifespan 80 years – female 

average 

60 years – male average 

Adult weight 5,400kg 

(11,905lb) 


DATA DEFICIENT 

Melon 

All toothed whales have a patch of 

fat in the forehead. This concentrates 

the soundwaves that the orca beams 

out into the ocean in order to find 

food by echolocation. 

Blowhole 

Air leaves the orca’s 

lungs through the 

blowhole, which is 

controlled by strong 

muscle. It remains closed 

underwater through a 

reflex action, preventing 

it opening underwater. 

Eyepatch 

These white areas may 

help orcas find one another 

in the dark, or confuse 

prey that try to defend 

themselves by attacking 

their hunter’s eyes. 

Armed to the teeth 

The diet of an orca determines what its teeth 

look like. These are three examples 

Phonic lips 

Though still not fully understood, 

these organs are responsible for 

producing the high-frequency 

clicks that bounce off prey, 

enabling the orca to see without 

using its eyes. 

Gum line 

Cross section 

Sharp tooth of 

a fish-eating 

resident orca 

Slightly eroded 

tooth of a mammaleating 

transient 

Completely worn 

stump of a sharkeating 

offshore orca 

Teeth 

Unlike most other mammals, orcas have only one 

type of tooth. They are all the same shape and 

size and are used for gripping prey rather than 

chewing it. They have between 40-56 teeth. 

INFANCY 

JUVENILE 

Underwater birth Day 1 

A baby orca emerges tail-first 

after 14-18 months of pregnancy. It 

knows how to swim and the mother 

pushes it to the surface to breathe. 

Toughen up Day 3 

The calf’s dorsal fin 

and tail flukes begin to 

stiffen after three days 

of being soft and supple. 

Fade to white 1 year 

After around a year the 

patches on the calf’s 

face lose their yelloworange 

hue. 

50:50 chance 1 year 

Only around half of orca calves 

survive their first year. This means 

that only the very strongest live to 

pass on their genes. 

No more milk 1-2 years 

Once the orca stops nursing 

it won’t usually drink again. 

All their liquid is found 

inside the prey they eat. 

Life skills develop 2 years 

By this age, the mother has 

taught her calf every survival 

trick she knows and it begins 

to hunt for itself. 

74

Orcas 

Legs 

Hidden beneath the skin are two 

tiny sets of leg bones. These are left 

over from when the ancestor of the 

orca walked on land as a four-legged 

carnivore. 

White belly 

As a carnivore, an orca 

relies on its light underside 

blending in with the bright 

sky above and the black 

back being indistinguishable 

from the dark sea depths. 

“The teeth of orcas that 

hunt sharks and other 

thick-skinned prey wear 

down quite quickly” 

Male or female? 

You can instantly recognise an 

adult orca’s sex by looking at its 

dorsal fin. Males’ fins are very 

straight and around 1.8 metres 

(six feet) in length, whereas 

females’ fins are around half that 

size and more curved. Nobody is 

sure why this difference exists. 

Hidden hands 

The pectoral fins contain five 

long ‘fingers’, similar to a human 

hand. Orcas don’t have the same 

dexterity as us, but instead use 

their boned flippers to remain 

stable while swimming. 

Closest family 

Closely related to the orca are… 

Eye 

Each eye moves independently of the other, 

allowing the orca to look in two different 

directions at once. Their eyesight is excellent 

both above and below the water, though 

they are only able to see limited colour. 

MATURITY 

Maturity 6 years 

Orcas reach maturity 

between six and ten 

years of age, meaning 

they can reproduce. 

Close bond 6-13 years 

Even after hitting sexual 

maturity (which varies for 

males and females) young 

orcas stay with their family. 

Menopause 40 years approx. 

Females survive long after they 

stop being able to reproduce in 

order to lead the pod and help 

raise their grandchildren. 

Old age 100+ years 

Although females tend to 

live to around 80, some 

have been documented 

to live over 100 years. 

Bottlenose dolphin 

As members of the 

dolphin family, these 

animals share an 

enormous amount 

of traits. They have 

a similar skeleton 

and configuration of 

organs. However, 

bottlenoses are less 

than half the orca’s 

size and have a beak, 

which orcas lack. 

Pilot whale 

Orcas and pilot whales 

are both part of the 

blackfish group, a 

nickname for the 

large, dark-skinned 

dolphins found 

throughout the world’s 

oceans. Like orcas, 

pilot whales are very 

social and develop 

strong bonds with 

their family. 

Hippo 

The closest land 

relative of all whales 

and dolphins is the 

hippo, the semiaquatic 

herbivore 

found throughout 

central Africa. They 

share common 

ancestors, though 

their lineage diverged 

approximately 50 

million years ago. 

© The Art Agency/Peter Scott; Flip Nicklin/Minden Pictures/FLPA 

75


Mating and reproduction 

Orca breeding is a tricky business, and relations in the deep seas are more complex than you might think 

As mammals that live in water, orcas have 

had to develop a method of reproduction 

suitable for submersion. A male’s genitals are 

tucked away inside the body to keep the orca 

streamlined when swimming. There is a long 

slit on the lower belly where the reproductive 

organ is concealed, and the one-metre (3.3 

foot) appendage only emerges when it’s time 

to mate. Females also have a genital slit, and 

on either side are two tiny mammary slits from 

which calves suckle. The baby orca rolls its 

tongue into a straw and inserts it into the slit, so 

it is able to drink the rich milk without it mixing 

with the seawater. 

Orcas have multiple partners throughout the 

year and have no specific mating season, but 

there is a spike in breeding during the summer 

months. Pregnancy lasts a minimum of 14 

months, though captive orcas have experienced 

gestation periods of up to a year and a half. 

Pregnancies are spaced out every three to ten 

years and only one calf is produced each time. 

There is only one record of surviving orca twins 

because the mother’s body is only designed 

for growing one baby at a time. A newborn 

calf is more than two metres (6.6 feet) long 

and weighs around 120-160 kilograms (265-353 

pounds) and the mother delivers 50 per cent 

fat milk to her baby around the clock. Over the 

months the fat content drops to around 28 per 

cent as the baby’s needs change, and in as little 

as a year the calf is ready to eat solid food. 

Most mammal species die after getting too 

old to reproduce, but the orca is one of the few 

exceptions. Female killer whales go through 

the menopause and can live for decades after 

their fertile years are behind them. The role of 

the female goes beyond producing babies, and 

orcas can live as long – if not longer – after the 

menopause than before it. 

While there is a great deal of controversy 

about orcas being kept in captivity, aquariums 

have uncovered a lot of previously unknown 

information about killer whale reproduction. 

Whether these discoveries fully apply to wild 

killer whales is yet to be determined, as they 

are elusive and unpredictable as a species. 

Many differences between wild and captive 

whales have been identified. For instance, 

males can reach maturity up to five years faster 

in captivity. This is probably due to a lack of 

competition, as wild orcas are only able to 

breed after demonstrating their strength as a 

mate to a fertile female. 

“The role of females goes beyond 

producing babies, and they can live 

for many years after the menopause” 

Orcas around the world 

We all recognise a killer whale, but seeing different subspecies side by side highlights just how different they can be 

Pack ice orca 

Specialising in snatching seals, this 

subspecies has a yellow-grey hue due 

to a build-up of tiny plankton. 

Resident orca 

The forward-slanted dorsal fin gives this 

orca away, and it feeds almost exclusively 

on bony fish like salmon. 

Subantarctic orca 

Easily identified by its tiny white eye 

patch, this polar predator is known 

to steal fish from long-line fisheries. 

Transient orca 

One of the largest and fiercest of the killer 

whales, this beast feasts on sea lions and 

the calves of large whales. 

76

Orcas 

The first few weeks of life 

Baby orcas don’t stray far from their mother’s side in the early 

days. Their skin bears birth folds and their fins are soft and 

pliable for a days after birth. The calf swims alongside or just 

above its mother, who gently nudges her newborn to the surface 

to help it take its first few breaths. 

The bond between mother and baby is unbreakable, and if the 

two become separated they emit frantic distress calls to find 

one another again. When reunited, the pair exchange chirps and 

whistles, staying in constant communication at all times. Captive 

orcas that have had their calves taken away react with extreme 

aggression and quickly become depressed. 

What you’ll see 

All whales have a specific surfacing sequence, and these are the typical behaviours visible above the ocean 

© NaturePL/Rebecca Robinson; Alamy/Anthony Pierce 

77


The habitat of the orca 

Whether it’s an Icelandic lagoon or the Bay of Biscay, orcas thrive in waters around the world 

For every ocean habitat there is an orca 

perfectly designed to make the most of the 

ecosystem. Killer whales don’t stray too far 

from the surface as they need to come up 

regularly to breathe. They can dive to depths 

of at least 100 metres (328 feet), staying in 

the upper portion of the ocean through which 

sunlight is able to penetrate. 

Many orcas spend most of their time on the 

move, in constant pursuit of prey. Orcas in the 

North Atlantic follow herring into the freezing 

fjords of northern Norway in deepest winter, 

then move on when the fish stocks deplete 

a few months later. Resident orcas around 

New Zealand stay put and hunt stingray in 

the warm, shallow water. Orcas are somewhat 

unique in that they are able to live all over the 

world in oceans of any temperature. They are 

called a ‘cosmopolitan’ species because of their 

wandering nature and global distribution. 

Various attempts have been made to 

estimate worldwide orca populations since the 

1970s, but there simply isn’t enough data to 

get an accurate number. Whale researchers 

estimate that orcas spend up to 95 per cent 

of their time submerged and therefore are a 

notoriously hard species to study in the wild. 

Orcas are split into subspecies around the 

world and many of these small groups are 

in serious danger of collapse. Scottish orcas 

may soon disappear, with several factors 

contributing to this state of emergency. 

Pollution is a major problem. Plastic waste 

and dissolved pollutants like pesticides, heavy 

metals and oil byproducts threaten the lives of 

all ocean creatures. Plastic bags mimic floating 

jellyfish, and degrading synthetics release 

toxins into the seawater. Pollutants build up 

in the lowest animals in the food chain and 

accumulate in apex predators like the orca. 

Thankfully, laws and attitudes are changing. 

While orcas were once seen as a pest by 

fishermen, they are now regarded as an 

indicator of ocean quality and people are 

realising they are not in competition with 

whales for fish. Charities all over the world 

campaign for orca rights, and research is 

ongoing to secure the killer whale’s future. 

Environmental factors 

It’s not easy being at the top of the marine food 

chain, and orcas face danger on a daily basis 

Changing climate 

Orcas at the poles rely on hunting 

animals on ice floes, but as the Earth 

heats up, pack ice is beginning to 

disappear. This will reduce their ability 

to hunt for the prey they need. 

Prey abundance 

Many fish species that orcas prey on 

are being removed from the seas 

faster than they can reproduce, and 

species such as bluefin tuna are in 

danger of extinction. 

Pollution 

Waste materials and excess noise 

disrupt natural orca behaviour 

and can even be fatal. Plastics, oil 

and submarine activity pose a real 

danger for wild whales. 

Tourism 

Many countries that offer whale 

watching don’t have laws in place to 

protect the animals. When taking a 

whale watching trip, check if there 

are any restrictions in place. 

Orcas and humans 

The history of these two species is a troubled 

one. Norwegian fishermen used to shoot orcas 

on sight in the late 1970s, believing the whales 

ate an enormous amount of precious herring. It 

wasn’t until 1992 that public opinion in Norway 

changed after footage was shown on TV of orcas 

nibbling on single fish rather than taking whole 

shoals at a time. 

Perhaps the most famous talking point 

regarding humans and orcas is the issue of 

captivity. The first wild-caught orca was captured 

in 1961 on behalf of California’s Marineland of 

the Pacific. This female whale died after only two 

days in a tank. As the 1960s progressed, more 

orcas were captured and the American public 

became fascinated with these beautiful creatures 

that seemed so docile and friendly. With time, 

global perception of this practice has changed 

somewhat and with the release of the orca 

documentary Blackfish in 2013, public approval of 

keeping orcas is at an all-time low. Laws in the 

US have been changed to outlaw wild capture 

and captive breeding, and it seems that it will 

soon become a thing of the past. 

78

Nearest 

neighbours 

Orcas 

Orcas share the sea with millions 

of creatures, and few are safe 

from their deadly hunting instinct 

Above An orca 

in hot pursuit of a 

bottlenose dolphin 

Humpback whale 

Baby humpbacks are often attacked 

by groups of orcas, but the whales are 

wreaking revenge by sabotaging killer 

whales’ hunting efforts. Humpbacks 

protect other whales and even seals 

from orcas, but nobody is sure why. 

Gentoo penguin 

Antarctic orcas pick off exhausted 

penguins after long fishing trips. 

The whales don’t even eat the whole 

bird, but instead slice off the breast 

meat and leave the chewy parts in 

the water. 

Patagonian sea lion 

Found along the coasts of Argentina, 

Chile and Peru, these are the sea lions 

that orcas beach themselves to hunt. 

Adults can grow to 2.5 metres (8.2 

feet) and weigh 350 kilograms (771.6 

pounds), so orcas target young pups. 

Weddell seal 

These noisy true seals are perfectly 

adapted for life on the ice, herding fish 

towards the frozen surface with air 

bubbles. However, between hungry 

leopard seals and lurking orcas, 

Weddell seals have to remain alert. 

© NaturePL/Tony Wu; Christopher Swann/Biosphoto/FLPA 

79


The fight to save 

the world’s whales 

Director of Campaign Whale, Andy 

Ottaway, gives us an insight into the 

status of whales around the world 

Can you tell us a little bit about what 

Campaign Whale does? 

Campaign Whale is dedicated to protecting all whales, 

dolphins and porpoises. We helped secure the global ban 

on commercial whaling that has saved many species 

from extinction. We also oppose whales and dolphins in 

captivity and played a pivotal role in the campaign to close 

dolphin shows in the UK. Today, there are no captive orcas 

or dolphins anywhere in the UK. We also work to counter 

the many growing threats that whales and dolphins face, 

from climate change to toxic pollution and ship strikes. 

Is whaling even legal? 

Commercial whaling was banned indefinitely in 1986 

by the International Whaling Commission (IWC). 

Unfortunately, defiant whaling nations like Iceland, 

Norway and Japan have found legal loopholes to continue 

whaling and they still kill large numbers – around 1,500 

whales between them every year. However, small whales 

and dolphins, like orcas, are not protected under this ban 

and are killed in huge numbers every year. 

Which species are most affected by human activity like 

whaling and fishing? 

Small cetaceans; the smaller whale species like beaked 

and bottlenose whales, pilot whales, orcas, narwhals, 

belugas, dolphins and porpoises all suffer from hunting, 

toxic pollution and entanglement in fishing gear. While 

commercial overfishing reduces their food supply, 

fishermens’ nets are the biggest killer. Around 300,000 

whales and dolphins are entangled in nets each year – 

that’s a whale or dolphin dying every two minutes! Toxic 

pollution is also a massive threat to whales and dolphins 

as it concentrates in their bodies through the food chain. 

Why do you think whaling is still going on? 

Whaling continues because some people make a lot of 

money from killing whales and dolphins for meat. Others 

argue that whaling is traditional and a cultural right that 

provides free food. But the dangerous levels of toxic 

pollutants in whale and dolphin meat and blubber pose a 

serious risk to people’s health, and this is why they should 

not be eaten. 

What would happen if whaling restrictions were lifted? 

While the current whaling ban is far from perfect, it is all 

we have to protect most large whales from commercial 

hunting, and it has prevented many species, like the blue 

whale, from being completely wiped out. But sadly, the 

ban does not protect the vast majority of whale species 

that are threatened and still hunted. This is why Campaign 

Whale wants to see the whaling ban extended to all 

species of whales and dolphins and the IWC transformed 

into an international organisation for the protection of all 

whales around the world. 

Would there be any negative impact if whaling was 

abolished worldwide? 

Some whalers argue that whales are a threat to 

commercial fish stocks, but this is nonsense. It is human 

overfishing that is the problem. Many whales prey on 

fish that eat commercially valuable fish, and in any 

case, commercial whaling has devastated global whale 

stocks by over 95 per cent. Whales reproduce so slowly 

it will take many decades for populations to recover to 

pre-whaling levels, if at all. It is human activities like 

overfishing that threaten the oceans, not the whales. 

What positive impacts do healthy whale populations 

have on the planet? 

Whales and dolphins have inhabited the oceans for 

some 50 million years. Recent research suggests they 

play a huge role in the ocean by recycling and spreading 

nutrients for the plankton that supports the entire marine 

food chain. In fact, large numbers of whales are vital for 

a healthy marine ecosystem, so saving the whales really 

will help save the planet! Whales are also worth far more 

alive than dead. Millions of people go whale watching 

every year, generating billions for local economies. 

What can our readers do to help? 

Whales and dolphins are in trouble and desperately need 

our help. Please write to the government asking them to 

do more to protect whales and dolphins and stop whaling. 

Please visit our website www.campaign-whale.org 

to learn more about our campaigns. You can also join 

our special ‘whale-saver’s’ scheme and buy our special 

merchandise. It all helps to fund the vital work we do. 

“Around 300,000 

whales and dolphins 

die entangled in nets 

each year – that’s one 

every two minutes!” 

SAVE THE PILOT WHALES! 

In the Faroe Islands around 1,000 pilot whales are slaughtered for for 

human consumption every year. The killing goes on oneven though the the 

whales are contaminated with toxic pollutants that pose aaserious 

threat to the whales and the people eating the themeat and andblubber. 

Please help us stop this cruel tradition! 

Please support our campaign to tosave the thepilot pilotwhales, and andall all whales whales 

and dolphins around the world, by bymaking a donation donationtotoour ourcampaign 

fund. You can also join join our ourspecial ‘Whale ‘WhaleSavers’ scheme schemefor forjust 

just 

£20 

£20 

per 

per year. You will 

will 

receive 

receive 

a special 

special 

certificate, 

certificate, 

enamel 

enamel 

badge 

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and 

and 

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updates. 

updates. 

You can join online at: www.campaign-whale.org 

Alternatively, 

Alternatively, 

send 

send a 

cheque 

cheque payable 

payable 

to 

to 

‘Campaign 

‘Campaign 

Whale’ 

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to: 

to: 

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Campaign 

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80 

Email: enquiries@campaign-whale.org | Tel: 01273 515416 

Email: enquiries@campaign-whale.org | Tel: 01273 515416

Bizarre! 

The terrifying fish with 

an explosive jaw and a 

ferocious temper 

Despite its small size, the sarcastic fringehead is 

unflinchingly territorial and will defend its habitat 

from predators and opponents far larger than itself 

They have fleshtearing 

teeth 

While ‘sarcastic fringehead’ may seem like 

a comical name, sarcastic in this context 

means ‘flesh tearing’, so named because 

of the many razor-sharp teeth that sit 

inside its mouth. Fringehead refers to the 

wavy barbs known as cirri which line the 

head of Neoclinus blanchardi. 

They are 

ferocious fathers 

The sarcastic fringehead breeding season 

lasts from January through to August. 

During this time, the females will lay 

their eggs inside the burrows of male 

fringeheads, who will then fertilise them. 

The female then leaves the male, who 

will remain with the eggs to aggressively 

defend them from predators and other 

fringeheads encroaching on his territory. 

They have 

explosive mouths 

Despite only growing to around 30 

centimetres (12 inches), these fish take 

no prisoners. When threatened, they flex 

their huge mouths, which, when open, 

can measure up to half their body size. By 

flashing the vibrant warning colours inside 

– usually shades of red, green and yellow – 

they can scare off predators. 

They’re ambush 

predators 

These fish are ambush predators, and will 

hide in their burrows waiting for small fish, 

squid or crustaceans to pass by. They are 

mostly dark brown in colour, meaning 

their heads go unnoticed as unsuspecting 

prey approaches. Once in range, the 

sarcastic fringehead will burst into action, 

opening its colossal jaws and securing its 

prey with its razor-sharp teeth. 

They’re not afraid to 

fight mouth-to-mouth 

When duelling, two sarcastic fringeheads will 

throw open their enormous jaws and battle it out 

mouth-to-mouth. This violent exchange will reveal 

which fish is the largest, but will usually result in the 

smaller fish retreating. However, if the loser doesn’t 

relent, the dominant fish will lash out, using its teeth 

as a weapon. Sarcastic fringeheads are often close 

neighbours, so these battles to establish dominance 

are not uncommon. 

SARCASTIC 

FRINGEHEAD 

Neoclinus blanchardi 


Territory Eastern Pacific 

Diet Mostly crustaceans, small 

fish and squid eggs 

Lifespan 6 years 



LEAST CONCERN 

Human trash is 

their treasure 

ABOVE Subsisting on an 

omnivorous diet, these fish 

consume around 13-14 times 

their body weight per year 

Sarcastic fringeheads live inside empty snail 

shells or clam burrows, and are notorious for 

fearlessly charging at anything that approaches 

their home. They are also known to occupy cans, 

soda bottles and other hollow pieces of humanmade 

waste. In the ‘beer-bottle field’ of Santa 

Monica Bay off the coast of California, the ocean 

floor is rife with sarcastic fringeheads battling it 

out to protect their bottles. 

© Getty/Cesare Naldi 

81

The wildlife of a farm 

Whether they are growing crops or raising 

livestock, our farms are home to lots of wildlife, 

some of which is now under threat 

Words David Crookes 

For many centuries, humans have cleared and 

cultivated vast areas of countryside in order to 

grow crops and provide grazing land for livestock 

to aid in the production of food. The result has 

been a rural patchwork of fields, peppered with 

bushy hedgerows, reed-lined ponds, wetlands 

and surrounding trees – marginal areas that are 

typically home to many species of mammals, 

birds, amphibians and insects. 

Farmland habitat is vitally important for 

biodiversity, yet the type of wildlife found on 

farmlands is very much dependent upon the 

environment. There are crofting and horticultural 

areas, as well as grasslands and arable fields 

that are home to grasshoppers, beetles and 

spiders. Lowland heaths form a habitat for birds 

and reptiles including snakes, while traditional 

orchards provide a feast for all kinds of mammals, 

birds, bats and insects. Wild animals can prove 

very useful in managing pest populations. What’s 

more, most will live alongside domesticated 

animals without causing any problems. 

82


Why farmlands 

are important 

Ellie Brodie is a senior policy 

manager at The Wildlife Trusts, 

which consists of 47 local groups 

across the UK, Isle of Man and 

Alderney. It aims to inspire people about 

the natural world and it cares for more than 

2,300 nature reserves. You can find out more 

at www.wildlifetrusts.org 

Farms can provide fantastic homes for 

wildlife: sparrows like to feed on the insects 

found in hedgerows; hares like pasture and 

arable fields; barn owls patrol the rough, 

grassy edges of fields searching for voles; 

and wild flowers bloom in traditionallymanaged 

hay meadows. 

Unfortunately, over the last 50 years, 56 

per cent of species have declined, and 15 

per cent are at risk of disappearing from our 

shores altogether. Intensive management of 

agricultural land causes problems for wildlife, 

and as three-quarters of the UK’s land is 

farmed, it’s really important that farmers 

are helped to rise to the challenge of helping 

nature recover. Traditional farming methods 

and organic and wildlife-friendly farming 

schemes all help wild animals and plants to 

thrive in the countryside. 

© NaturePL/Adam Burton 

83


Food production 

versus wildlife? 

With farming claiming 40 per 

cent of the world's land surface, 

there has been a growing drive by 

conservationists to protect wildlife 

habitats. Those supporting sustainable 

farming are keen to protect 

hedgerows, ponds, woodland and 

field margins amid fears that some 

species – including the cuckoo and 

curlew – are disappearing from the 

countryside. There is also a worry 

that more land will be needed for 

agricultural production as the global 

human population continues to rise. 

The loss of hedgerows as farmers 

continue to move away from 

traditional practices is already having 

a negative impact on hedgehogs 

and butterflies, while badgers, 

frogs and insects are affected when 

lowland meadows are turned over to 

agriculture. The rise of monoculture 

farming (that is, the growing of a 

single crop) impacts the diversity of 

plant species and, in turn, the range 

of wildlife that can be supported. It is 

why efforts are being made to replant 

hedgerows and sow wildflowers, and 

why farmers are being encouraged to 

use less fertiliser and pesticides. 

Skylark 

Pig 

Pigs are highly intelligent and 

social animals, capable of 

outsmarting their rivals and using 

20 different vocalisations in order 

to communicate with one another. 

They are no slouches either, able 

to run at around 17.7 kph (11mph), 

which equates to a seven-minute 

mile. After a long day foraging 

for food, it’s believed pigs dream 

once they’ve fallen asleep. 

Marbled 

white 

butterfly 

Sheep 

Brown hare 

After a period of decline due to 

grasslands being converted to 

arable farming, the number of 

brown hares is said to be on the 

increase. They enjoy the open 

country and graze on cereals, 

herbs and young grasses during 

the night. They use their large 

eyes and keen ears to alert them 

to distant predators. 

84


The key benefits of 

indoor farming 

The need to feed a rising human 

population means alternative, 

controlled methods are being 

explored. Vertical farming 

produces food in stacked layers 

and often uses artificial lighting or 

metal reflectors, meaning plants 

can grow faster, boosting yields. 

By using less space, more land is 

left free for wildlife. 

Natural pest control 

Instead of pesticides, some 

farmers turn to natural means. 

Ladybugs, for example, will eat 

aphids, spider mites, whiteflies 

and other insects harmful to 

crops. Green lacewings control 

mealybugs and immature scales, 

while the fungi nosema locustae 

keeps a check on grasshoppers 

and crickets. Biopesticides are 

less toxic and more targeted. 

Farming for pollinators 

Bees are natural crop pollinators 

and they will thrive in habitats 

that contain flowers to forage in, 

enough nesting sites and a lack 

of pesticides. Although some 

crops – such as corn, wheat and 

rice – are wind or self-pollinating, 

bees are vital for growing 

cauliflower, cabbage, peppers, 

oranges, lemons and many other 

tasty foods. 

Cow 

Raised on farms for dairy and meat, 

cows are impressive specimens. 

The average dairy cow weighs 

544kg (1,200Ib) and can consume 

around 45kg (100Ib) of feed per day. 

They possess nearly 360-degree 

panoramic vision and are able to 

hear lower and higher frequencies 

better than humans. These grazers 

move their jaws approximately 

40,000 times per day! 

Barn owl 

Intensive agriculture has affected birds such as 

the partridge and barn owl, but some farmers 

are providing habitats to allow them to thrive. 

Known for their long, eerie screech, barn owls 

prey on voles, which can cause serious damage 

to plant health. They have acute hearing and 

their talons can accurately penetrate grass. 

Stoat 

These fast, solitary predators 

can move at up to 32kph 

(20mph) and can kill prey 

much larger than themselves, 

storing excess food for later 

consumption. Typically found 

around the hedgerows and 

ditches of lowland farms and in 

woodlands, they are known for 

stealing the eggs of chickens. 

Chickens 

Harvest mouse 

With their tiny bodies and long, 

naked tails, harvest mice are 

able to perform acrobatic feats 

as they make their way through 

woodlands, hedgerows and 

reed beds. They can make 

complex, golfball-sized nests 

between grass and rush stalks 

and grip on to vegetation with 

their hind feet, making light 

work of their environment. 

Field 

vole 

Badger 

© The Art Agency/Sandra Doyle 

85

Wildlife photography 

Remembering Rhinos 

The winners of the Remembering Rhinos photo contest 

highlight just how incredible these gentle giants are 

There were over 1,000 entries into the Remembering 

Rhinos photo contest from all over the world and they 

included images of white, black and greater one-horned 

rhinos. 100 finalists were eventually whittled down to 

ten winners and 11 images. All of the winning images will 

appear in the Remembering Rhinos books, which will be 

published on 30 October 2017 with all proceeds going to 

protecting rhinos via The Born Free Foundation. 

Organiser Margot Raggett said: “We were absolutely 

delighted with the quality of the images entered into 

the Remembering Rhinos competition and that made 

selecting the winners a tough job! But we are thrilled 

with the chosen images, and knowing how they will 

complement the images we already had donated from 

the pros, we’re quietly confident of producing another 

stunning book.” 

Books (including a reprint of the sold-out Remembering 

Elephants) are now available to pre-order by going to 

www.buyrememberingbooks.com. They are £45 each 

plus postage. 

Photographer - Gurcharan Roopra 

Species - White rhino 

Location - Solio, Kenya 

Photographer - Pete Oxford 


Location - South Africa 

Photographer - Chris Grech 


Location - Hlane Royal 

National Park, Swaziland 

Photographer - Jonas Stenqvist 

Species - Greater one-horned rhino 

Location - Kaziranga National Park, India 

Photographer - Vladimir Cech Jr 



86

Photographer - Mike Muizebelt Species - Black rhino 

Location - Okaukuejo, Etosha National Park, Namibia 

Photographer - Willem Dekker 

Species - Black rhino 

Location - Namibia 

Photographer - Nick 

Newman 


Location - Limpopo, 

South Africa 

Photographer - Tom Way 


Location - Maasai Mara, Kenya 

Photographer - Rob Cottle 

Species - Southern white rhino 

Location - Timbavati, South Africa 

Photographer - Vladimir Cech Jr 



87

Web 

slingers 

Spiders aren’t just eight-legged freaks – they’re 

talented engineers that produce some of the 

most amazing structures found in nature 

Words Matt Ayres 

House 

spider 

We don’t really swallow 

spiders in our sleep 

Thankfully, the rumour that humans swallow 

spiders as they sleep is false. The hoax was 

originally circulated as an experiment to see 

how quickly false news spreads. 

Mexican fireleg 

tarantula 

They are the architects 

of the natural world 

Webs are incredible feats of engineering. 

A typical orb web begins with a single silk 

strand stretched between two surfaces, 

which the spider then strengthens until it can 

support the entire web. This is followed by a 

Y-shaped anchor for the web, around which 

the spider creates a series of spoke-like radii. 

Next come auxiliary threads, which provide a 

reference for the spider to lay down its final 

spiral of sticky, insect-catching thread. 

Spider webs have inspired 

many human inventions 

As well as being light and flexible, spider webs are 

incredibly strong; relative to weight, the natural 

silk a spider produces is as strong as steel. This 

winning combination of strength and stretchiness 

makes spider silk an attractive material for use 

in inventions. It would be impractical to harvest 

real spider silk for commercial use, but synthetic 

versions have been used to make products ranging 

from body armour to medical devices and airbags. 

Tarantulas use hair as 

a defence mechanism 

Body hair serves an important purpose in 

tarantulas. Many species use their sharp 

hairs as projectiles, which embed into a 

predator’s eyes, giving the spider a chance 

to escape. 

88

Web slingers 

Spiders are essential 

for insect control 

Whatever your view on spiders, it’s 

undeniable that our lives would be worse 

off without these important arachnids. 

As the top invertebrate predators in most 

ecosystems, we rely on spiders to control 

populations of insects that would otherwise 

ravage fields of crops, causing widespread 

famine and food shortages around the 

world. Spiders also play an intregral part in 

slowing down the spread of disease, eating 

malaria-carrying mosquitoes before they 

have a chance to infect humans. 

Spiders can spin 

many types of silk 

When you spot a spider web 

glistening in the sunshine you’re 

actually looking at several different 

types of silk, each produced by the 

spider for different purposes. Some 

threads help to make the web more 

flexible, while others help to protect 

the structure from harmful fungi 

and bacteria. The spider stores its 

silk in its body as liquid and uses 

telescopic organs called spinnerets 

to produce its web-building threads. 

False black 

widow 

Jumping 

spider 

Not all spiders 

are solitary 

creatures 

Single spiders lurking 

in their webs may be 

common, but some spiders 

live sociable lives, building 

communal webs to catch 

more insects than they 

could alone. 

Peacock spiders 

dance for their mates 

The colourful peacock spider is famous 

for its booty-shaking dance moves. 

The males flaunt vibrant patterns on 

their abdomens and perform elaborate 

routines to impress females. 

Spider silk is used for 

more than just webs 

While all spiders produce silk, not all spiders build webs. 

Jumping spiders use their threads to create draglines 

behind them in the air, controlling their speed and allowing 

them to land safely. Others create silky balloons and glide 

through the sky, riding the air currents and sometimes 

travelling hundreds of kilometres at a time. One species, 

the diving bell spider, uses its silk to survive underwater, 

attaching itself to aquatic plants and collecting air bubbles 

inside its web that allow it to remain safely submerged. 

Spider venom 

could be used 

in medicine 

Recent research shows that 

compounds found in spider 

venom possess painkilling 

properties. Scientists are 

therefore considering it as 

a potential replacement to 

drugs in the treatment of 

conditions such as arthritis. 

Funnel 

weaver 

© NaturePL/Dimitris Poursanidis/Marc Pihet/Alex Hyde/Chris Mattison 

89

Keeping in touch 

Contact us at… 

@WorldAnimalsMag 

worldofanimalsmag 

We asked you what you 

thought about the last issue 

and you said: 

Superpower dogs update 

When you’re a young pup with a keen sense of smell, there are plenty of things to tempt the nose. This month, we look 

into how Cat and Halo work together to make sure distractions aren’t an issue during search and rescue work 

“Brilliant monthly 

magazine, article 

about oryx is inspiring” 

@MagicalWildlife 

I love the animal anatomies in each 

magazine giving an extensive look 

into each animal’s biology 

@MagicalWildlife 

Our daughter is going to love this 

month magazine! She will be very 

happy to find it when she gets 

home from school. 

@blotie75 

“This is why I LOVE 

this magazine 

because it always has 

awesome info in it 

about snails! My fav!” 

@Jade Sanchez Melton 

“I love ‘sea birds’” 

David Ashley 

Distraction training 

Halo’s handler, Cat Labrada, explains how she ensures Halo stays focused on locating survivors 

Halo is a ‘live-find’ canine, which means that 

her job is to sniff out live human scent only and 

alert her handler. All of her training is aimed 

at simulating a real disaster environment, and 

included in such disaster zones would be a great 

many interesting smells. It’s essential that Halo 

ignores all of these and concentrates on her job. 

So how does this distraction training begin? 

“It’s exposure and reward for doing nothing 

when she sees it,” Cat tells us. “We do that with 

food, with clothes, with stuffed animals or toys 

that you might find in a house. When she’s 

working and she comes across these things we 

train her to ignore them and move on.” 

Training starts early on to make sure Halo learns 

from the beginning. “You start off on the ground, 

hiding things in the bark barrels. I put her on a 

long lead and then open things up to show her. 

For example, if she alerts on food, you can open 

it up and show her that it’s food and she’s not 

getting a reward for food.” Here are just a few of 

the things that Halo needs to ignore… 

Tennis balls 

Even superheroes have 

an Achilles heel. “At the 

moment, tennis balls 

are her kryptonite!” Cat 

exclaims after discovering 

Halo’s weakness on a 

filming trip to Texas. “I need 

to work on it in training – it’s 

because we play with them 

at home. It’s not the food, 

the clothes, the cadaver that 

distracts her – it’s the balls!” 

Clothes 

Once again, the smells 

from clothing can be very 

enticing to dogs, whose 

sense of smell is 40-times 

greater than ours. Cat says: 

“The dogs learn they’re not 

supposed to care about 

certain things, but there’s 

always different scents 

of food, of garbage, of 

faeces or urine or different 

amounts of clothing.” 

Win a copy of the 

magazine before it 

goes on sale! 

Get in touch and tell us which is your 

favourite feature and why, and you could be 

a lucky winner! 

Remains 

It’s a macabre subject, but 

it’s important for Halo to 

ignore human remains. “We 

introduce it early on just so 

we know how the dogs will 

react,” Cat explains. “Halo 

was interested initially, 

but now she knows not to 

worry about it.” Recently, 

Halo was introduced to her 

first whole cadaver. “She 

sniffed it and moved on.” 

Food 

Food distraction avoidance 

is something that needs 

constant training. “Even 

though you teach them to 

ignore a food smell, there 

are so many different types,” 

Cat says. “Like pizza versus 

eggs, or doughnuts versus 

chicken. There are so many 

things to constantly involve 

in training to continually 

help them learn!” 

90

Wildlife journeys 

Photo Editor, Tim Hunt, tells us about the 

diversity of wildlife in Costa Rica 

I finally got my chance to visit Costa 

Rica after a long time reading about 

the amazing wildlife you can encounter 

there. On our first night, I was awoken by 

scuttling crabs in the air vents of our hotel. 

They were appropriately called Halloween 

crabs as they were orange and purple. 

We travelled to the Osa Peninsula 

in the south and the climate became 

noticeably hotter and a lot more humid. 

Exploring the rainforest at night was a real 

experience. As we shone torchlight around 

us everything twinkled from the reflection 

in the eyes of nocturnal creatures. The 

sounds from frogs and insects filled the 

night air. 

During the day, we took a boat trip, 

which gave us good sightings of cayman 

and giant kingfishers. We even saw the 

amazing basilisk lizard, which can run 

across water. There is so much to see – I 

will certainly have to visit again soon. 

Reader photos 

Tell us 

about one of your 

wildlife holidays by 

emailing your story and 

photos to animals@ 

animalanswers 

.co.uk 

Animal antics 

this month 

Important news we’ve followed 

this month. Email your stories to 

animals@animalanswers.co.uk 

New narwhal discovery 

For years, scientists have 

debated what the narwhal’s 

horn is used for; whether it acts 

as a weapon or as a sensor for 

echolocation. But new footage 

from WWF Canada has shown 

that at least one use is to stun 

their prey. 

New fines for 

feeding seagulls 

East Devon District Council 

has issued a Public Space 

Protection Order that means 

anyone caught feeding seagulls, 

or businesses not disposing of 

food correctly, may be fined £80 

on the spot. The aim of the fine 

is to reduce aggressive seagull 

behaviour, which is encouraged 

by the presence of food. 

Alfredo Helou 

Largest seizure of 

pangolin scales 

Early in May, Kuala Lumpur 

Airport seized a record amount 

of pangolin scales worth $2 

million. Shipped from Ghana 

and Congo, the 712kg (1,569.7Ib) 

load is estimated to add up to 

1,400 pangolins killed. 

William Ashworth, aged 5 

This was taken at Manual Antonio on the Pacific coast of Costa 

Rica. This basilisk, or Jesus Christ lizard, was hanging out by 

the hotel pool. 

Kynn Muldrew 

This is a photo I took on my recent trip to South America. I went out for 

a morning walk at Easter and something caught my eye – I saw this 

hummingbird fluttering around a bush of flowers. I loved the position of 

the bird; just about to eat but still deciding which flower to explore first! 

This was taken in Buenos Aires, Argentina. 

We love hearing from readers, whether it’s receiving letters, emails, 

photos, drawings or even feedback. Get in touch and you could be 

featured in the magazine too! 

© Thinkstock; Tim Hunt 

91

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Animal 

answers 

Send your animal questions to us at: 

questions@animalanswers.co.uk 

Scalloped hammerheads 

are just one of several ocean 

creatures that have proved 

they can take the heat 

Are there any animals 

that live inside volcanoes? 

While no known life form could survive inside 

a magma-filled volcano on land, it’s different 

underwater. A surprising amount of sealife has 

been discovered merrily going about its business 

in the super-hot, CO 2 

-saturated calderas of 

submarine volcanoes. 

In 2015, scientists sent a camera 45 metres 

(147.6 feet) into the crater of Kavachi in the 

Solomon Islands, one of the most turbulent 

volcanoes in the Pacific Ocean. It was our first 

peek into this extreme environment, as divers 

have never been able to venture close enough 

due to the heat. During the expedition, several 

animals were recorded, including a sixgill 

stingray, jellyfish and even two shark species. 

Of course, dormant and extinct volcanoes 

above sea level are a whole other matter. 

Volcanic soil is extremely fertile, supporting a 

wide variety of flora, which subsequently 

attracts an equally diverse range of fauna. 

Is it good to 

brush your 

cat or not? 

Grooming is an essential part of cat 

care. However, how often you brush 

your feline will vary depending on 

factors like fur length and how well 

your cat grooms itself. Every owner 

should keep a brush and a comb 

close to hand. Regular grooming (i.e. 

every few days) prevents matts from 

forming, removes debris like mud or 

tangled-up seeds, and even reduces 

the likelihood of hairballs. It’s also the 

perfect opportunity to check for pests 

like fleas and ticks, or more serious 

issues such as cuts or lumps beneath 

the cat’s fur. 

Bathing, on the other hand, is a 

different matter. Most cats can find 

bath time very traumatic and, in the 

majority of cases, it’s unnecessary 

stress. You should only really bathe 

a cat if advised by a vet as part 

of a treatment plan, or in extreme 

circumstances – say, if they’re covered 

in something toxic like paint. 

BelOW Some cats love it, some 

cats hate it – but should owners be 

brushing their pets at all? 

Which is the 

heaviest flying bird? 

The kori bustard is the world’s heaviest flying 

bird, with some weighing in at an impressive 

19 kilograms (41.9 pounds). It doesn’t fly often, 

preferring to spend most of its life with two 

feet firmly on the ground, but if it’s in danger 

it will take to the air. Its favoured approach 

for take off involves running into the wind, 

picking up speed like an aircraft on a runway, 

and using powerful strokes of its wings to 

generate lift. The birds only stay in the air for 

a short period of time, coming back down to 

Earth once they’ve reached a safe spot. 

Follow us at... 

94 

@WorldAnimalsMag 

worldofanimalsmag

Animal answers 

Do all animals sleep? 

It’s no secret that we humans love our sleep. Without 

it, brain function rapidly degenerates, and we’re not 

the only ones this affects. From fruit flies to fruit bats, 

creatures across the animal kingdom take time out of 

their day to switch off. But sleep is a bit of an enigma; 

we don’t fully understand why it happens, and 

whether all animals need to sleep is not yet known. 

Sleep is defined as a temporary state of immobility 

and reduced responsiveness. This is in contrast to 

a coma (which is not temporary), or resting (where 

we’re still mobile and responsive). 

Nematode worms, cockroaches, honeybees and 

zebrafish all show signs of sleep. Even dolphins catch 

some ZZZs underwater, putting just half of their brain 

to sleep and keeping the other half active so that they 

can continue to breathe and move. 

One of the only animals that has been reported to 

go without sleep is the bullfrog. More experiments 

are needed to definitively say that they don’t snooze, 

but they seem to be an exception in an otherwise very 

sleepy animal kingdom. 

Carnivores spend 

more time sleeping 

than herbivores 

Dolphin sleep 

Time 1 

Time 2 

Right 

Electrical activity revealed 

that dolphins sleep with one 

side of their brain at a time 

Left 

Asleep 

Awake 

© Thinkstock; Dreamstime 

What’s the difference between 

an armadillo and a pangolin? 

While at a glance you could be forgiven 

for thinking that armadillos and pangolins 

are relatives, they’re not. For a start, they 

belong to different orders: armadillos 

to the Cingulata and pangolins to the 

Pholidota. They also live in different parts 

of the world, the former restricted to the 

Pangolin vs. armadillo 

Side by side, how do these armoured mammals compare? 

Americas, and the latter to Africa and 

parts of Southeast Asia. That said, both 

animals have evolved a number of similar 

traits to suit their environments and 

lifestyles, including armour plating, sharp 

claws and long snouts for rooting out their 

preferred food of bugs. 

Pangolin armour consists of overlapping 

scales made of keratin – the same material 

as our fingernails – and are sometimes 

likened to the exterior of a pinecone. 

Armadillo armour is comprised 

of bony plates interspersed 

by bands of skin, which offer a 

degree of flexibility. 

Both animals have poor 

eyesight, so rely heavily on 

their sense of smell to find food 

and avoid predators. 

Long claws are used for making 

burrows and digging up prey, such as 

grubs and larvae. 

The pangolin uses its 

strong claws to break 

into the tough nests of 

ants and termites. 

Q.How much do 

grizzly bears need 

to eat to survive? 

Find out at… 

animalanswers.co.uk

Summer gifts 

Summer bling 

Turn heads with this adorable sterling 

silver piece from Regal Rose to add a bit 

of animal-loving glam to your summer 

wardrobe. Great for any summer 

birthday parties coming up. 

regalrose.co.uk, £22 

Squirrel away happy 

memories 

Picnic season is upon us. 

Be sure to bring the Kissing 

Squirrels picnic blanket 

with you. Cotton-topped and 

waterproof backed, this will be a 

staple for those outdoor feasts. 

anorakonline.co.uk, £36 

Lap of luxury 

With the Sunnylife Inflatable 

Flamingo Drinks Holder you 

won’t have to leave the pool to 

fetch your drinks – your not so 

feathered friend will keep them 

handy for you while you relax. 

johnlewis.com, £14.50 

Bee happy 

Summer is the perfect 

time to get out in your 

garden and spot birds, 

bees and butterflies. 

This easy to use seed 

bomb is jam-packed 

with flowers to attract 

animals to your 

backyard. 

kabloom.co.uk, £3.60 

Chilling with the fishies 

Entertain your guests with 

these ‘swim and tonic’ ice 

cube trays from Lakeland. 

Whatever you’re drinking, 

these ice cubes are sure to 

invoke some amusement. 

lakeland.co.uk, £6.99 

Colourful insects and beautiful wildlife, what 

would summer be without an array of animalthemed 

treats and titbits? 

comfortsHydrating fun 

Sipping on sunshine 

When those long, hot 

summer evenings 

roll in, be sure to raise 

this stylish safari 

tumbler and toast to the 

(hopefully) hot 

summer ahead. 

johnlewis.com, £4 

The HyrdoSqueeze 

ball from Chuckit! is 

a great playmate for 

pooches who love the 

sunshine. Designed 

with an absorbent core 

and fluorescent outer 

layer, the ball will keep 

them hydrated while 

they play. 

vetsend.co.uk, £6.99 

It’s a jungle out there 

When kids ask for a story, 

why not reach for Thames 

& Hudson’s latest release 

The Book Of Beasts by 

Yuval Zommer. Feed their 

imagination with facts on 

the biggest and best wild 

animals around. 

thameshudson.co.uk, 

£12.95 

96 

Taste of the wild 

Unleash your inner party animal! Children and adults alike 

will go wild for these fun D.I.Y cups and straws – perfect 

for those summer barbecues and friendly gatherings. 

notonthehighstreet.com, £9 

It’s a shark’s life 

When the little ones are 

finished in the sea or the 

pool, wrap them up warm in 

this super soft shark poncho 

towel and carry on the fun 

all afternoon. 

houseoffraser.co.uk, £24.95 

Tote-ally beachin’ 

Cath Kidston’s summer range 

features this cute lobster tote 

bag, perfect for storing your 

sunnies, your sun cream and 

your towel so you’re set for a 

day on the beach. 

cathkidston.com, £35

Next issue 

Explore even more amazing animals in 

World of Animals Issue 48 

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