nature

Spine cross section from a hedgehog Illustration from “30 Animals that made us smarter” by Patrick Ayree (BBC Books).

European Hedgehog Illustration from “30 Animals that made us smarter” by Patrick Ayree (BBC Books).

Soldier Termite, generic image of this isopteran Illustration from “30 Animals that made us smarter” by Patrick Ayree (BBC Books).

Cross section diagram showing cooling air pathways through the termite mound Illustration from “30 Animals that made us smarter” by Patrick Ayree (BBC Books).

Termite mound from near the equator Illustration from “30 Animals that made us smarter” by Patrick Ayree (BBC Books).

Woodpecker skull with hyoid structure and tongue Illustration from “30 Animals that made us smarter” by Patrick Ayree (BBC Books).

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).

Hexapod Snow flea Illustration from “30 Animals that made us smarter” by Patrick Ayree (BBC Books).

Atlantic cod Gadus morhua with curved tail Illustration from “30 Animals that made us smarter” by Patrick Ayree (BBC Books).

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 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)

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 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 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).

Yellow horned-poppy Galucium flavum with seed pod

Thrift Armeria maritima with individual flower detail

Spring squill Scilla verna botanical illustration by Lizzie Harper showing large bulb

Sheeps bit Jasione montana showing plant and individual flower

Sea wormwood Artemesia maritima with outline showing shape of one lower leaf and flowering spike

Sea Sandwort Honckenya peploides showing distinctive stacked leaves and individual flower

Sea rocket Cakile maritima with detail of cross section through seed pod

Sea radish Raphanus raphanistrum maritimus with detail of one leaflet and constricted seed pod

Sea plantain Plantago maritima

Sea pea Lathyrus japonicus with detail of pea pod, seed, and square stem