Fight or flight, freeze and fright

Whether winter-faded ferns, the spindly harvestman or the tyrannical stare of an irate chicken, through-lines from the prehistoric to our modern age are all around us in November, says John Lewis-Stempel

Winter is the busiest season for your immune system. An onslaught of cold air, close contact and a crowded calendar that includes a party season filled with late nights, large meals and, possibly, a l

Amazing answers to your curious questions

Within just a few weeks, I had nearly been wee’d on by a naked mole-rat, waited for five hours for a few horses to poo and smelt the sulphurous pong of some seafloor sludge collected from the depths o

Horses rarely make it obvious when something hurts, but their body, behaviour and expression tell the story — if you know what to look for. Equine vet Lucinda Ticehurst explains how to spot discomfort early, when to call the vet, and how to support recovery safely and responsibly

It can lower stress, treat depression and open up a whole new world of outdoor-going opportunities so could you learn to love the cold? We spoke to converts whose lives have been shaped by embracing winter