The crane fly (tipula paludosa) is a large insect belonging to the Tipulidae family (which contains many families of parasitic insects) and order Diptera. They go by many different names, such as the shovel fly, mosquito hawks, and more commonly in the UK daddy longlegs. These flies are generally harmless to humans, although they can …
The jackdaw (scientific name Corvus monedula) is a passerine bird in the crow family, native to Europe, Asia, Australasia and the Middle East. It is known by many different names, such as the western jackdaw, the Eurasian jackdaw or the European jackdaw. It is possibly the most abundant species of crow in Europe, with an …
Hailing from Argentina and Bolivia, the peacock butterfly (inachis io) is an iridescent jewel of nature. It is the only member of the genus known as Marpesia in the family Nymphalidae, and it’s easy to see why when you take a closer look. Often mistaken for a moth, the peacock butterfly has an opalescent green-blue colour …
A dunnock (scientific name prunella modularis) is a Eurasian songbird in the family Mimidae. It is also known as the hedge sparrow or hedge warbler, and is often mistaken for the female house sparrow. The word dunnock comes from the medieval Dutch term for this bird, “dunnik”. Dunnock is also a surname, particularly associated with …
The chaffinch (scientific name fringilla coelebs) is a wild bird species that is a member of the Fringillidae family, which also includes the sparrow, crossbill, and common linnet. It can be found in large flocks all around northern Europe and Asia, and Northern Africa. You may often hear chaffinches singing as it’s one of the …
The polecat (scientific name Mustela putorius) is a medium-sized carnivorous member of the mammal society and mustelid family. It was proposed as the ancestor of both domestic cats and ferret, but later studies cast doubt on this hypothesis. The polecat has been called by many names over the years by various cultures, including the ‘stinker’ …
The weasel (scientific name Mustela nivalis) is a small, slender animal approximately sized 9 to 17 in (23 – 43 cm) in total body length, including the weasel’s tail. Weasels are at home in all kinds of environments, from the heat of India to the colder climates of Canada and mainland Britain. They’re able to …
Ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) are domesticated small mammals and members of the Mustelidae family, which also includes weasels, minks, otters and badgers. They’ve been domesticated for thousands of years, first in ancient Egypt where they were kept as pets by ancient Egyptians. They also had their own cult that worshipped them. Now, they’re the ninth …
Stoats (scientific name Mustela erminea) are medium-sized carnivores belonging to the Mustelidae family. They have a low slung body, short legs, and a long, thin neck and typically live in dens near open water. Stoats are native to Europe, Asia, parts of Africa, and North America. Although they are similar in general body shape to …
