Nature Uncovered: From Venom to DNA

For the national badger bovine tuberculosis (bTB) vaccination programme to succeed, estimates of local badger abundance are vital, but currently unknown; We are estimating local badger densities by identifying individual badgers from DNA samples collected from the wild- think CSI for badgers!

Have you ever looked at a conspicuously coloured snake and think “that looks dangerous”? There’s a reason for that! Aposematism, or warning signals, are found in various groups of animals, such as frogs and wasps, to warn potential predators of their unpleasant chemical defences. Although banded coral snakes are also known to display warning signals, the link between venomousness and conspicuous colouration throughout snakes has yet to be established; until now! Come along and learn about my research on conspicuous warning signals in snakes!

Like the Noble false widow in Ireland, several spiders have established large populations far outside of their native habitats. Explore unique adaptive traits that allow them to become cosmopolitan.

How are babies made? Which matters more for fertility, the egg or the sperm? How is a child’s sex determined? How long does it take to make a single sperm? What animal has the longest sperm cell on earth? Learn the bizarre biology of the birds and the bees with Biology with Ben.