Great BIG Nature

6 hours ago

Golden Plover chicks are covered in downy feathers that mimic actual moss to blend in with their surroundings. This is especially helpful since they nest on the ground amongst lichens, moss, grass, and leaves. Helps keep them safe from predators!
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Great BIG Nature

1 day ago

An Atlantic goliath grouper - 800 lbs (362 kg) and about the size of a refrigerator - calmly swims through a swirling school of scads off the coast of Florida. See the full BigPicture: Natural World Photography Competition gallery: bit.ly/3MxwVHD
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Photo: Tom Shlesinger ... See MoreSee Less

Great BIG Nature

2 days ago

This is what pollen looks like on the eye of a fly!
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Great BIG Nature

4 days ago

On June 21, 2022, a near complete, mummified baby woolly mammoth was found in the Yukon, Klondike gold fields within Trʼondëk Hwëchʼin Traditional Territory. Miners uncovered the frozen woolly mammoth while excavating through the permafrost. Elders named the mammoth calf 'Nun cho ga', meaning “big baby animal” in the Hän language.
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Great BIG Nature

5 days ago

The largest known plant on Earth - a seagrass roughly three times the size of Manhattan - has been discovered off the coast of Australia. Using genetic testing, scientists have determined a large underwater meadow in Western Australia is in fact one plant. It is believed to have spread from a single seed over at least 4,500 years and covers about 200 sq km (77 sq miles), researchers from the University of Western Australia said.
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Photo: Rachel Austin ... See MoreSee Less

Great BIG Nature

6 days ago

If you didn't do particularly well in gym class, then this might be the frog for you. The pumpkin toadlet, native to the mountains of Brazilian rainforests, is about the size of a Tic Tac. It also happens to be a frog that every time it attempts to jump, it crashes pitifully to the ground. These amphibians launch themselves into the air, but lack the internal balancing required to correct themselves mid-jump. So instead of landing on their feet, they spin out of control and crash onto their tiny froggy butts, backs or faces. In fact, they are probably the worst jumpers we've ever seen. But despite their ungraceful landings, the frogs appear to be doing just fine. A recent study found no evidence they get injured during their lopsided leaps.

To view a video of these frogs terrible jumps - click below.
www.cbc.ca/player/play/2044962371847/

Photo: Luiz F Ribeiro ... See MoreSee Less

Great BIG Nature updated their cover photo.

1 week ago

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Great BIG Nature

1 week ago

Caterpillars appear to have lots of legs but only 6 are true legs. The other legs are false legs (called prolegs) that help the caterpillar to climb and move around plant surfaces. Prolegs may be as many as 10 and are usually located on a caterpillar’s abdomen.
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Great BIG Nature

1 week ago

Scientists have discovered that venom from a honeybee just might be a treatment for breast cancer. A molecule called melittin – the very same substance responsible for creating the painful sensation caused by the bee’s sting – is also capable of demolishing breast cancer cells. “The venom was extremely potent,” said Dr. Ciara Duffy, who led the Australian research. “We found that melittin can completely destroy cancer cell membranes within 60 minutes.” And unlike chemotherapy and radiation treatments – honeybee venom had no negative effects on surrounding healthy cells.
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Great BIG Nature

2 weeks ago

This image captures a rarely observed moment up close: cactus bees swarming together in a mating ball, each male eager to become companions with a female who is in the middle of this madness. Its all about trying to get the ultimate position. And often, it doesn't end well for a bee or two...
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Photo: Karine Aigne ... See MoreSee Less

Great BIG Nature

3 weeks ago

Macabre masquerade: What you see is a deceptive gimic... a plant that resembles the rotting flesh of a dead animal for its very survival. This rare plant (Rhizanthes Lowii) is endemic to Borneo and can only be found in exceptionally wet and dense rainforests. it is also a complete parasite, having no leaves, stems, or roots of its own, and growing completely within a host vine for its sustenance. The flowers, which are only open for two days, smell and look so convincing that carrion flies are duped into laying their eggs, often carrying away the plant’s pollen so it can continue its parasitic journey elsewhere!
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Photo: Chien Lee ... See MoreSee Less