A new danger rating for deadly animals

AUSTRALIA HAS A REPUTATION for being full of deadly wildlife – and with good reason. The vast antipodean island is home to an impressive list of dangerous critters. Sharks, spiders and snakes get most

Taking a break from installing anti-bird spikes intended to keep gulls off houses in Porthleven, Cornwall, maintenance worker Darren Pardoe visited a seafront pub for a cup of coffee. Sitting outside,

THERE WOULD BE LITTLE POINT IN having the ability to lethally poison a predator if you accidentally poisoned yourself and ended up just as dead. In the case of poison dart frogs, they dodge being pois

The question about wild swimming I get asked most often is: “is it safe?” Rarely does this query refer to the risk of drowning – the usual concern is about the quality of the water. And understandably

YOU’LL KNOW ALL ABOUT IT IF you get stung by a bullet ant (Paraponera clavata), a species named after the fact that the pain from its venom feels as if it has been inflicted by a gunshot. Some insect

I’M PROUD TO ADMIT TO BEING AN Australian and I loved your article on wallabies on the Isle of Man in the July issue. You presented the issues and dilemmas well. But coming from an amazing continent t