Woodpecker skull
Woodpecker skull with hyoid structure and tongue Illustration from “30 Animals that made us smarter” by Patrick Ayree (BBC Books).
Polar bear Ursus maritimus with hair close up
Polar bear with detail of the skin and fur, and SEM scale detail of guard hairs. Illustration from “30 Animals that made us smarter” by Patrick Ayree (BBC Books).
Snow flea Springtail Hypogastrura harveyi
Hexapod Snow flea Illustration from “30 Animals that made us smarter” by Patrick Ayree (BBC Books).
Atlantic cod Gadus morhua
Atlantic cod Gadus morhua with curved tail Illustration from “30 Animals that made us smarter” by Patrick Ayree (BBC Books).
Blue tit Cyanistes caeruleus
Blue tit cut to white
Robin Erithacus rubecula
Robin cut to white
Gecko foot anatomy
Gecko foot anatomy showing branched setae under magnification. This microscopic branching is what makes gecko feet so sticky. Illustration from “30 Animals that made us smarter” by Patrick Aryee (BBC Books).
Mosquito mouthparts
Mosquito mouthparts diagram featuring an Anopholes female mosquito. These mouthparts allow the mosquito to break skin, and access blood without disturbing the host. Illustration from “30 Animals that made us smarter” by Patrick Ayree (BBC Books)
Wood ant nest
Wood ant nest. This nest belongs to the Southern red wood ant, Formica rufa. Wood ant nests do differ between species, although it can be hard to tell them apart.
Tardigrade
Tardigrade Hypsibius dujardini. These aquatic microscopic animals are almost bomb proof, and certainly are some of the toughest animals on planet Earth. Illustration from “30 Animals that made us smarter” by Patrick Ayree (BBC Books)
Blue mussels Mytilus edulis
Blue mussels Mytilus edulis with byssal threads on wooden piling. Illustration includes barnacles and limpets, and some bladder wrack seaweed. Illustration from “30 Animals that made us smarter” by Patrick Ayree (BBC Books).
Web stabilimentum diagram
Web stabilimentum showing cruciate type, in the web of the orb spider Silver agriope Agriope argentata. Illustration from “30 Animals that made us smarter” by Patrick Ayree (BBC Books).
Nest and budded smaller nest of wood ant
Nest and budded smaller nest of wood ant. This budding often happens with wood ant species.
Mating Formica rufa Southern Red wood ant queen and male
Mating during nuptial flight Formica rufa Southern Red wood ant queen and male
Narrow headed ant Formica exsecta
Worker caste of the Narrow headed ant Formica exsecta. This species have curved backs to their heads.
Slender ant Leptothorax acervorum
Slender ant Leptothorax acervorum worker. This ant is only 3mm, and although similar to the Shining Guest ant, has a darker and less smooth head.
Scottish wood ant Formica aquilonia
Scottish wood ant Formica aquilonia worker. These ants are only modestly hairy.
Southern Red wood ant Formica rufa
Southern Red wood ant Formica rufa. One of the most common species of European wood ant.
Shining Guest ant Formicoxenus nitidulus
Shining Guest ant Formicoxenus nitidulus worker. This tiny species is extremely shiny, and only 2.75mm long.
Hairy wood ant Formica lugubris
Hairy wood ant Formica lugubris, showing species-specific long hairs. These reach up to and beyond the eyes.
Slave making or Blood red wood ant Formica sanguinea
Slave making or Blood red wood ant Formica sanguinea. These wood ants are far redder than the other wood ant species.
Thorax and hairs detail of Hairy wood ant Formica lugubris
Thorax and hairs detail of Hairy wood ant Formica lugubris. Hairs are longer and more numerous than other wood ant species, and extend beyond the eyes.
Social parasitism Queen and worker ants
Social parasitism in ants. The queen of the Slave maker ant, Formica sanguinea, being tended to by workers of Dusky ant Formica fusca.
Wood ants guide cover image
Wood ants guide cover image Cairngorms national park and Southern red wood ants Formica fusca practising trophallaxis