Year: 2020

Lesser redpolls University Museum of Zoology collection ©University of Cambridge
Research Stories

Understanding bird populations in a changing world

To celebrate International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month the Museum is sharing the stories of 27 inspirational women, alongside the animals they work with the most. Eleanor Miller Department of Zoology “We live in an era of significant environmental and climatic change. To understand how species might cope with different climates in the future, it is important to explore how they responded to rapid … Continue reading Understanding bird populations in a changing world

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Hedgehog on grass
Wildlife from your Window

Become a Helpful Hedgehog Hero

You can provide a safe space for British wildlife right in your garden or local green space. This is especially useful for creatures, including hedgehogs, if you live in an urban environment and can make a real difference to their survival. These unique prickly mammals are a favourite amongst the UK public (especially our ‘over-stuffed’ Museum specimen who has seen leaner days) and if we … Continue reading Become a Helpful Hedgehog Hero

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Photograph of a green turtle swimming
Nature Classroom

Exploring Skulls: Green Turtle

Get ready – our regular Nature Classroom posts will begin on Monday with a post exploring animal lifecycles. Discover the amazing world of amphibians and their larvae. Have a go at being a bird building a nest. Get up close to a tiger skull and see how tigers change as they grow. There’s lots to look forward to. Science caps on and watch for wildlife! … Continue reading Exploring Skulls: Green Turtle

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Komodo Island illustration
Crafty Creatures, Research Stories

Here be Dragons!

Explore the real-life world of dragons… Tom Jameson, PhD student says, Dragons do not only populate the myths and legends of the past, but also the world around us. Komodo dragons, Varanus komodoensis, are the world’s largest lizards, so named for reminding early explorers of the beasts of legend. Life as a Komodo dragon Komodo dragon’s skin is rough and durable like other large lizards, … Continue reading Here be Dragons!

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Linyphiidae spider on leaf
Wildlife from your Window

Your friendly neighbourhood British spiders

Michael Pashkevich, PhD Student, writes: One of my favourite traits of spiders is that they are widespread in distribution. This means that they live nearly everywhere that humans do, including within and around our homes. This is particularly good news for Britons, because none of the 650+ spider species in the UK are dangerous to healthy humans. Right now, many of us are being asked … Continue reading Your friendly neighbourhood British spiders

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Shell University Museum of Zoology, copyright University of Cambridge, Jamie Gundry CC
Research Stories

Secrets of the shell

To celebrate International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month the Museum is sharing the stories of 27 inspirational women, alongside the animals they work with the most. Dr Victoria Sleight Department of Zoology “I want to understand how molluscs make their beautiful shells. We know that shells are made from a mixture of mainly calcium carbonate and a few proteins, but there are many questions … Continue reading Secrets of the shell

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Photograph of a male chaffinch
Wildlife from your Window

Nature Postcard from Wicken Fen

We have a treat this week in Wildlife From Your Window: a virtual postcard from a pre-lockdown Wicken Fen, written by Professor Nick Davies of the Department of Zoology. ‘Just before the lockdown, there was a final chance to visit Wicken Fen, still clothed in her winter’s coat of last year’s yellow reeds. Many birds were still in winter flocks. On the floods, there were … Continue reading Nature Postcard from Wicken Fen

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Coral reef - credit S Steele
Research Stories

Glacial past, genetic science and saving today’s coral reefs

To celebrate International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month the Museum is sharing the stories of 27 inspirational women, alongside the animals they work with the most. Maddie Emms Department of Zoology “I am a Zoology PhD student interested in how environmental change affects coral reef organisms. Coral reefs are incredibly important habitats but are sensitive to environmental change. I am studying how the loss … Continue reading Glacial past, genetic science and saving today’s coral reefs

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Wildlife from your Window

Pondwatch Episode 3: Newts!

Roz Wade, Learning Officer at the Museum, writes: We have exciting news on this episode of Pondwatch – newts in the garden pond! I’ve been watching them closely, and managed to capture them on camera when they came out from their hiding places. We also have some of the aquatic finds of other members of the Museum team, so lots to explore this week. There … Continue reading Pondwatch Episode 3: Newts!

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Hover Fly On Poppy Head - credit Kate Howlett
Research Stories, Wildlife from your Window

Insects are animals too: why perceptions matter

Kate Howlett, NERC-funded PhD student says, Thank you to everyone who got involved in our little experiment last week to find out who we think of as the Easter bunny. Whilst questions like this which ask about our perception of animal species are often just a bit of fun, they are also important in building up a larger picture about our relationship with the natural … Continue reading Insects are animals too: why perceptions matter

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