Weird wildlife
Nature can be fantastic, intriguing, and sometimes downright weird! From beetles that hitch rides on bees to fungi that grows in the shape of ears, we've got plenty of things for you to keep an eye out for!
Search
Water vole by Terry Whittaker/2020VISION
Chwilio
Common sexton beetle
The Common sexton beetle is one of several burying beetle species in the UK. An undertaker of the animal world, it buries dead animals like mice and birds, and feeds and breeds on the corpses.
Common prawn
The common prawn is a familiar sight to anyone who has spent time exploring rockpools - particularly their characteristic quick dart into the darkness just as you spot them!
Do animals catch colds?
If you have pets, you may have noticed a sneeze or two coming from your four-legged friends, but are they sick with the same cold or flu as you?
Help wildlife in the cold
The colder months can be a tough time for wildlife, food is scarce and hibernators are looking for shelter. That's why we’ve put together our top tips for maintaining your garden for wildlife…
How to provide water for wildlife
All animals need water to survive. By providing a water source in your garden, you can invite in a whole menagerie!
Wasp beetle
A clever mimic, the wasp beetle is black-and-yellow and moves in a jerky, flight-like fashion - fooling predators into thinking it is actually a more harmful common wasp. Look for it in hedgerows…
Wasp spider
The wasp spider is a great mimic - looking just like a common wasp keeps it safe from predators, even though it is not dangerous itself. It can be found in southern England, but is spreading north…
Common cotton-grass
The fluffy, white heads of common cotton-grass dot our brown, boggy moors and heaths as if a giant bag of cotton wool balls has been thrown across the landscape!
Common skate
Despite its name, the "common" skate is not so common anymore. In fact, they are Critically Endangered.
Common blue damselfly
Living up to its name the Common blue damselfly is both very common and very blue. It regularly visits gardens - try digging a wildlife-friendly pond to attract damselflies and dragonflies.
Common seal
The smaller of our two UK seal species, common seals are also known as harbour seals. Despite being called "Common", they are actually less common than grey seals!