Fact files

The ancient human species Homo luzonensis is one of the most recent branches to be added to the human evolutionary tree.

Find out how Homo sapiens left Africa and migrated to other regions of the world, including Europe, Asia and America.

Find out key facts about our species, Homo sapiens, and how we evolved.

Discover what causes the colourful lights of the aurora borealis.

This ancient human was once thought to be the first to make stone tools, but is this true?

Ticks are becoming increasingly common in the UK and can carry a health risk for people and pets.

Fierce debate has raged about the origins of the tiny ancient human species Homo floresiensis, nicknamed the 'hobbit'.

London is a particular stronghold of these magnificent, rare beetles. Discover why, where else they live and how you can help protect them.

The Mars 2020 rover landed near the Jezero Crater on 18 February 2021. 

If you see a snake blink at you, it's not a snake.

Find out about this ghostly silent, night-time hunter.

Where will the rover land, and will it find life on Mars?

Explore facts about this huge shark - which can open its mouth up to a metre wide - including where you might see one in the UK.

Find out facts about this sociable bird.

Explore facts about this red-breasted festive icon.

Get the facts on this garden favourite.

Australopithecus afarensis is one of the best-known early human relatives thanks to an extraordinary fossil called Lucy.

Learn about the longest-surviving human species, which was also the first known to leave Africa.

Meet your long-lost relative and find out why their discovery has had such an impact on our family tree.

Explore facts about this small but mighty celestial body. 

Discover facts about Venus, the planet closest to Earth.

Explore facts about the biggest and hottest object in the solar system.

Explore Neanderthal facts, from looks to lifestyle and abilities. These early humans are far more similar to us than once believed.

Explore facts about Mars, the red planet.

Explore facts about Mercury, our solar system's fastest planet.

Why do some rays belly flop?

Join the team from BBC TV programme The British Garden: Life and Death on Your Lawn to uncover some of the hidden wildlife you could spot throughout the year.

Living for a week at most, the Madagascan moon moth has a lot to accomplish in its short life.

Orange is the colour of zesty fruits and staple carrots, common fish and show-off birds.

A one-in-10,000 genetic sensation - discover the stunning split-sex butterflies.

A distinctive blue and green image of Earth reveals our planet's most remarkable features.

From moths eating their own mothers to carnivorous caterpillars on the rampage, the world of insects isn't always as it seems.

Our solar system's outermost planet may be last but it's certainly not least. Get the facts on this planet of extremes. 

Giant auroras, raging clouds and a storm three centuries in the making - Jupiter is every bit as dramatic as its appearance suggests.

Cold, dark and windswept - despite its calm appearance, the ice giant Uranus is a planet of extremes.

Blue skies on a golden planet, and two of our solar system's greatest extremes – Saturn is a planet of contrasts and surprises.

A blue atmosphere, smooth areas, and youthful mountain ranges - this dwarf planet is full of surprises. 

Newborn humans take years to become adults - but for butterflies, the miraculous process takes just a few weeks.

A stunning species with a disturbing diet: meet the butterflies sipping on human sweat.

The owl butterfly's love of fruit juice can land it in trouble. Expert Luke Brown explains why.