(a species of owlet moth (Noctuid)) Some caterpillars, after they emerge from their egg, can increase their weight by 25,000 times.

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Mammals

From tiny shrews to enormous whales, mammals are the most diverse group of animals ever to live on our planet. Equipped with wings, fins, horns and spines – they have evolved to fill many niches and roles. Discover more about this complex group, which of course, includes us. Are big cats living wild in Britain? Why do whales strand? And just how closely related are we to other apes?

  • Beast of Bodmin Moor skull
    The Beast of Bodmin Moor

    Examine the fanged skull found on Bodmin Moor and determine for yourself whether it is proof that there really are great cats roaming our countryside.

  • Piltdown man fossil
    Piltdown Man

    Can you study the Piltdown Man fossil and avoid being fooled by the hoax that fooled scientists in 1912 for forty years?

  • Virtual Specimen – The Two Faced Sheep Skull
    Virtual Specimen - The Two Faced Sheep Skull

    View our virtual mutant, a sheep skull with two faces.

  • Mother and young common porpoise, Phocoena phocoena
    Threats to whales, dolphins and porpoises

    Cetaceans face many pressures as our exploitation of their ocean home escalates. Sarah Lazarus, author of the Troubled Waters book, gives five reasons why they are in trouble.

  • Humpback whale ©Matthew Hull/MorgueFile
    Top tips for watching whales

    If you are thinking of going on a whale-watching trip, Trevor Day, author of the Whale Watcher book, has some tips to help make it a success.

  • Whale strandings
    The UK Whale and Dolphin Stranding Scheme

    The mysteries surrounding whale strandings have been challenging the Museum’s scientists for more than 100 years. Find out about their invaluable discoveries.

  • Flying bat
    The secret life of bats

    Popularly known for fluttering in the shadows, few realise that there is much more than their movements that is lost in the darkness.

  • Bat
    Bats – the good, the bad, and the ugly (video)

    Some eat fruit, others drink blood. Join museum bat expert Frank Greenaway as he explores these remarkable animals

  • Close up image of a chimp
    Chimps and humans - 99.4% (video)

    Christopher Soligo explores recent information about just how closely related we are to our nearest evolutionary relatives, the Chimpanzees.

  • The koala dating game
    The Koala dating game (video)

    Join matchmaker Fred Brecovitch and and his furry assistant to discover the scent secrets of koala perfume.

  • Making the Life of Mammals
    Making The Life of Mammals (video)

    Join the producer of David Attenborough's landmark BBC series to get a glimpse behind the scenes and learn how the programmes were made.

  • Whales and noise pollution
    Whales and noise pollution (video)

    Mark Simmonds, Director of Science at the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society looks at the latest threat to Whales, noise pollution.

  • Social learning in primates
    Social learning in primates (video)

    Apes are so frequently studied in zoos and yet we still have little understanding of how they actually learn. Join Sir Neil Chalmers as he discusses his experiences with our closest relatives.

  • Torpor in bats
    Torpor in Bats (video)

    Join Museum photographer and bat expert Frank Greenaway as he looks at the bat's unique strategy for surviving the onset of winter.

  • The Thames whale
    In the Headlines: the London whale (video)

    We talk to Mark Stevens, of British Divers Marine Life Rescue to find out exactly what happened to the London whale.

  • Sperm whale skull
    Arrival of 12-foot sperm whale skull (video)

    Watch this short video of the arrival of the 12-foot sperm whale skull with Richard Sabin.

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