Ordovician life, the importance of dirt, and tips for being a lazy gardener

How to make a dragon in just a few (hundred million) short years

One special type of bacteria could be the key to dragonfire.

To ensure human longevity, let nature replenish the forest.

The Amazon is getting mood-swings. And that’s where the drones come in.

Over the ages, they have mastered the science of blending in to stand out.

Pigeons know how to find their way home. And, they’re pretty good at making new homes too.

The extraordinary survival tricks of nature’s earliest trees

Plants spend all day in the sun without sunscreen. Some trees live for thousands of years. Why don’t they die from cancer?

A wander through the science and symbolism of majestic oaks, as we search for a way home to forests.

These tiny, colourful bees make great pollinators — and they love the taste of human sweat.

Why solitary bee awareness should be the new ‘it’ item on everyone’s holiday wishlist.

How would dragons avoid burning themselves and their habitats?

From backyards to backstreets, evolution marches on.

Deciding which species to keep and which to discard? Maybe there’s a simple answer This story can also be read on Medium [https://medium.com/snipette/pick-and-choose-b3386388a037?source=frie...

Want to use land wisely? Then analyse the ‘skin’ of the Earth This story can also be read on Medium [https://medium.com/snipette/selfie-of-the-earth-a4f52c36c253?source=friends_link&sk=530a6...

Is fire really evil? Maybe it’s just a natural part of the environment. This post can also be viewed on Medium [https://medium.com/snipette/fire-for-plants-1b5c930dfbc2?source=friends_link&s...

Camels in the land of kangaroos? Yes, you got that right.

Who owns the Mound? The answer is not so clear. The Mound rises up like a tiny mountain on the grass. Tiny compared to mountains, that is: on the scale of those who live in it, the Mound can...

Most invasions are planned in advance. But this one was an accident. He sets out in search of food every morning, his mighty wings keeping him aloft. The food may be many tens of kilometres ...

How fast does time go, exactly? The answer can depend on who you are. The screen flickers high and low, in bits and pieces. Some regions go dim for a while, only to brighten up again. The pi...

What is a plant made of? The answer may surprise you. Plants grow. Everyone knows that. But what do they grow from? Animals take material from the food they eat: part of it comes out the ot...

Thin Air [https://medium.com/snipette/thin-air-1827216638bd] The book that sparked ‘Thin Air’ This piece was inspired by Gabrielle Walker’s book An Ocean of Air. A substantial amount of the ...

Thinner than thread and stronger than steel, silk is not simply for snares. She’s full of brains. Very full. That’s practically all she is — a brain with its support system, carried on eight...