NATURE

Crabs display pain and stress response in study despite being considered not to have the brain areas required.

Orcas are huge marine mammals, inherently unsuited to captivity.

Scientists believe the Himalayas may have been formed 47 million years ago.

In place of its centrepiece orca performances, a whale exhibition will open in 2017.

Discovery will completely change the understanding of the prehistoric environment.

The 50-year-old alligator was sent to live the rest of his days in a sanctuary.

Report finds 55,000 Indian star tortoises poached from single location every year.

The jury has narrowed down more than 42,000 entries to a shortlist of 25 images. Which one captures your imagination?

Seven giant rat species discovered lived 46,000 years ago and were eaten by humans.

Sinkhole opened up at a fast-food restaurant car park in Meridian, Mississippi.

Scientists estimate that their genetic makeup is 10% dog, a quarter wolf and the rest coyote

This means that all progeny of female orb-weaving spiders have same father.

The whale carcasses will be left to decompose naturally

The plant has survived for 750,000 years despite losing immunity.

Pilot whales in particular are known for washing up on shores for now apparent reason.

Scientists in China find how pandas say 'I love you', 'I'm hungry' and 'go away'.

Scientists still unable to explain why half of endangered species died in two weeks and risk of extinction.

The incident happened in the town of Mostardas in Rio Grande do Sul state, on 1 November.

Customs officials in China's Guangdong find huge pangolin haul on fishing boat.

Max Coleman of the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, found berries on a branch of the Fortingall yew.

Acmella nana breaks record for smallest land snail as 48 new species discovered by researchers.

Chimpanzees cannot learn foreign dialect of newly encountered populations, researchers conclude.

The Sumatran rhino numbers in the wild are down to a few hundred.

The elusive Omura's whale is small species of blue whale and has often been misidentified in the past.

The Gomantong Caves in Borneo are home to billions of bugs.

Are insects the future of sustainable eating?

The birth breathes new life into hopes to keep the rare species from being wiped from Earth.

"Perhaps the eeriest thing is the fact that we don't know much about [deep sea fish]"

"It takes your breath away. You immediately think of your sins and feel like praying."