CATEGORIES

Townend leads British domination

The world number one spearheads a British clean sweep of the podium as he contests his 100th five-star

Comeback queens reign

Rehab work pays off for Anna Ross as she makes a winning return, while a pair of young riders' birthday wishes come true

4 mins |

THE PUFFARAZZI

Every summer, an epic survey of Iceland's puffins takes place - and two photographers decided to lend a helping hand

THE ONLY WAY IS UP

A South American frog whose young erupt from the mother's back

TWIST AND SHOUT

Get ready for a dazzling show as courting birds show off their groovy moves and fabulous colours

Turning to a new career

Tessa Waugh marvels as one of her husband’s hunters moves Ws on to anew home where he’s turning his hooves to a surprisingly different discipline complete with yogic cat poses”

Reefs on TV

This one-off BBC special on coral is a must-see

ALL YOU EVER NEEDED TO KNOW ABOUT THE Shoebill

THIS PREHISTORIC-LOOKING BIRD IS affectionately known by some as 'king of the marshes' as it is huge (up to 1.5m tall with a 2.4m wingspan) and resides in the freshwater marshes and swamps of East Africa.

3 mins |

Slime: protector, lubricant and glue

GOO, GUNGE, GUNK... WHILE THERE are many names for the stuff that makes things slippery or sticky, slime isn't a single material but a label for a variety of substances with similar physical properties. Those qualities are desirable to many living things, which is why slime is made by such a wide range of organisms.

Are there any plants in Antarctica?

CONTINENTS DON'T COME ANY MORE inhospitable than Antarctica, where life must contend with the longest, darkest, coldest winters and a year-round blanket of snow and ice.

Why are walruses so chubby?

AS A GENERAL RULE, TERRESTRIAL mammals are furry, while aquatic ones are fat. It doesn't work across the board: sea otters rarely leave the water but have the densest fur of any mammal.

What is the lotus effect?

WHEN YOU FIND YOURSELF WATCHING the clock on the wall of a dentist's waiting room, you can always pass a bit of time with a rummage through the bowl of fragrant botanical wonders next to the leaflets about expensive cosmetic work.

How do parrots learn to swear?

THERE ARE FEW THINGS AS GLORIOUSLY entertaining as the effing and blinding of a potty-mouthed parrot.

Flightless birds

Our pick of 10 curious birds that have lost the ability to fly

LANDLORD OF THE WILD

The humble aardvark is seldom praised for its work digging out homes for other animals

Badminton groundsman

Phil Cole on flawless going for cross-country, perfecting his craft on polo pitches and being at the mercy of the weather

3 mins |

NIGHT PROWL

As shrimp farms encroach on fishing cat habitat in Thailand, scientists are learning how these felines are adapting to a changing world

3 mins |

Arctic roll

The Arctic tern is the ultimate distance migrant, flying pole to pole every year

New competition and classification to mean dressage will be for all

The new partnerships with British Dressage will provide opportunities for riders with intellectual disabilities

Pressure grows on the FEI to tackle concerns in dressage

A leading judge has made some recommendations he believes will help support the sport's future

Wild words

Spending time observing and writing about the natural world can be transformational

'Plenty to get your teeth into'

This year's Badminton track is testing, but fair, says Nicola Wilson, the 2021 European champion who finished in the top 10 at this five-star four times

8 mins |