How do rodents carry out whisk assessments? #shorts #whiskers #rodentsDr Robyn Grant, a researcher at Manchester Metropolitan University, explains how dormice use their whiskers to help them navigate at night. ---------------- The Natural History Museum in London is home to more than 80 million objects, including meteorites, dinosaur bones and a giant squid. Our channel brings the Museum to you, from what goes on behind the scenes to surprising science and stories from our scientists. ...
How do camels survive in deserts? | Natural History Museum (Audio Described)We may often associate camels with scorching deserts, but some of these large mammals can also be found in much cooler climates. Dr Natalie Cooper, a researcher at the Museum, explains how camels are adapted to survive in extreme environments. ---------------- The Natural History Museum in London is home to over 80 million objects, including meteorites, dinosaur bones and a giant squid. Our channel brings the Mu...
What does the Murchison meteorite smell like? | Natural History Museum (Audio Described)The Murchison meteorite, which fell in 1969, is a carbonaceous chondrite. At over 4.5 billion years old, chondrites are some of the most primitive and pristine rocks in the solar system. But one of the things that stands out about the Murchison meteorite is that it smells strangely like Brussels sprouts. Dr Helena Bates explains why. Discover more about different types of meteorites and what they re...
Pristine asteroid sample lands at the Natural History Museum (Audio Described)A small sample of the asteroid Bennu will be studied in the labs at the Natural History Museum. Our scientists explain why this is so exciting, what they are planning on doing with it, and how the sample will give clues as to the origin of life on Earth. Welcome to the next era of natural history collections. ---------------- The Natural History Museum in London is home to more than 80 million objects, includi...
Mysterious molluscs: from tiny snails to Darwin’s favourite octopus | HT | S2E3 (Audio Described)Help us explore the wonderful world of molluscs! In this episode, our host Conor is joined by Jon Ablett, Senior Curator in Charge of Molluscs, as we search through the collection for slugs, squids, snails and so much more! What’s the biggest snail in the world, and how small is the smallest? Why was Charles Darwin fascinated by a tiny octopus? And what on Earth is a mollusc anyway? Jon h...
Fossils in rocks: how do we get them ready for display? | Hidden Treasures | S2E2 (Audio Described)How do we get dinosaur bones and other fossilised specimens out of the rocks they're found in? In this episode, our host Conor visited Kieran Miles in the Conservation Centre to find out what a fossil preparator does. From giant hammers to tiny drills and abrasive chemicals, discover how we get fossils of ancient sea creatures and super-sized sauropod bones ready to go on display in the Mus...
What is a sea bunny? (Audio Described)Have you ever heard of a sea bunny? These adorable, soft-bodied creatures are part of a group of animals called nudibranchs. While these sea slugs bear a resemblance to a rabbit, their features are actually functional. Museum Scientist Suzanne Williams explains. Find out more about nudibranchs and their diet of toxic creatures: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/nudibranchs-psychedelic-thieves-of-the-sea.html ---------------- The Natural History Museum...
Is Ananse Mek It | Natural History Museum (Audio Described)Folk hero Ananse has the last laugh - or does he? This is a traditional Akan tale adapted and spoken through the lens of Caribbean storytelling and brought to life with collaged artwork by St Thomas' School children. Between the very young and the very old, there is a huge calabash of wisdom to be found before we lose it! ---------------- The Natural History Museum in London is home to more than 80 million objects, including mete...
Caribbean elders remember | Natural History Museum (Audio Described)Connect to Caribbean elders’ wisdom in this short animation, highlighting our visit to the Pepper Pot Centre in Ladbroke Grove, London. We shared folk hero Ananse stories and listened to memories of growing up in the Caribbean whilst we shared food, drink and song together and celebrated the traditional stories that are the foundations for future generations. ---------------- The Natural History Museum in London is hom...
Meet climate activists Mitzi Jonelle Tan and Clover Hogan | Our Broken Planet (Audio Described)Climate activists Mitzi Jonelle Tan and Clover Hogan discuss their personal experiences of climate change impacting their homes and communities, and the action they have been inspired to take. ---------------- The Natural History Museum in London is home to over 80 million objects, including meteorites, dinosaur bones and a giant squid. Our channel brings the Museum to you - from what goes on b...
How are daffodils used to treat Alzheimer's disease? | Natural History Museum (Audio Described)Daffodils are more than just a group of pretty flowering plants. Museum botanist Dr Mark Carine explains how daffodils are being used to help Alzheimer's disease patients. Discover more about medicines that are powered by plants: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/essential-medicines-powered-by-plants.html ---------------- The Natural History Museum in London is home to over 80 million objects, in...
How to make a mini pond in a pot | Natural History Museum (Audio Described)You can create a pond in even the tiniest of gardens. Lots of animals will benefit, including frogs, pond skaters and blackbirds. Making a small pond in a container is easy and requires little maintenance. Get expert advice from Museum ecologist Sylvia Myers: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/how-to-make-small-wildlife-pond.html ---------------- The Natural History Museum in London is home to over 80 million object...
Why does rain smell? | Natural History Museum (Audio Described)When it rains, you may have noticed that a distinctive, earthy smell tends to linger in the air. This scent is called petrichor and what causes it may surprise you. Museum researcher Dr Anne Jungblut explains. ---------------- The Natural History Museum in London is home to over 80 million specimens, including meteorites, dinosaur bones and a giant squid. Our channel brings the Museum to you - from what goes on behind the s...
The Winchcombe meteorite recovered from Gloucestershire | Natural History Museum (Audio Described)These rocks may look like bits of charcoal, but they are actually fragments of the first meteorite to fall in the UK in 30 years, which crash landed in Gloucestershire on 28 Feb 2021. Scientists are hoping to use these 4.6 billion year old rocks to look at the origin of water and life in our solar system. Read more here: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/news/2021/march/uk-fireball-meteorite-h...
How to build a log pile for insects and other wildlife to make a home (Audio Described)Building a log pile can boost your local biodiversity by giving a home and shelter to some of the smaller inhabitants of your garden. They are easy to assemble and require little maintenance. Find out what animals might move into your log pile: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/how-to-make-a-log-pile-to-provide-shelter-for-garden-wildlife.html ---------------- The Natural History Museum in London is ho...
How to make a plastic-free garland | Natural History Museum (Audio Described)If you're aiming to reduce the amount of plastic you use this festive season, this easy-to-make garland is a great alternative to tinsel. Read the instructions and discover more ways to make your Christmas eco-friendly: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/eco-friendly-christmas.html Website: http://www.nhm.ac.uk Twitter: http://twitter.com/NHM_London Facebook: http://fb.com/naturalhistorymuseum Instagram: htt...
What's inside a moray eel's mouth? | Natural History Museum (Audio Described)Most fish feed by sucking in water, drawing prey into their mouth and down their throats. Moray eels, however, do things a little bit differently. ---------------- The Natural History Museum in London is home to over 80 million specimens, including meteorites, dinosaur bones and a giant squid. Our channel brings the Museum to you - from what goes on behind the scenes to surprising science and stories from our sc...
What spits all over plants? | Natural History Museum (Audio Described)Have you ever spotted a strange, foamy substance on plants in the spring. Max Barclay, Senior Curator in Charge of the Museum's beetle collection, introduces us to the tiny animal responsible for it. ---------------- The Natural History Museum in London is home to over 80 million specimens, including meteorites, dinosaur bones and a giant squid. Our channel brings the Museum to you - from what goes on behind the scenes...
What does the inside of a sea turtle's mouth look like? | Natural History Museum (Audio Described)Sea turtles have a special way to trap their prey, but their clever adaptation sometimes lands them in difficulties. Patrick Campbell, Senior Curator of Reptiles at the Museum, explains. ---------------- The Natural History Museum in London is home to over 80 million objects, including meteorites, dinosaur bones and a giant squid. Our channel brings the Museum to you, from what goes on behi...
The immortal jellyfish: is it possible to live forever? | Natural History Museum (Audio Described)Museum curator Miranda Lowe introduces us to the tiny jellyfish that appears to have found a way to cheat death. Discover more about Turritopsis dohrnii and how its strange life cycle works: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/immortal-jellyfish-secret-to-cheating-death.html ---------------- The Natural History Museum in London is home to over 80 million objects, including meteorites, dinosaur b...
A closer look at self-anointingJoin Alison Shean and Museum scientist Dr Natalie Cooper as they dive into the surprising science behind self-anointing and what we can learn from our collections. Not seen the original video yet? Watch it here: https://youtu.be/Husd0vKQxLU Find out more on our website: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/why-do-goats-faint-and-scream.html ---------------- The Natural History Museum in London is home to more than 80 million objects, including meteorites, dinos...
Farming for people and nature | Field StudiesDespite its status as a National Park, the Peak District is one of the most nature-depleted landscapes in the entire UK. To reverse this, the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust are working with farmers to look at the issues they are facing and figure out how to both improve biodiversity and create more sustainable farm systems at the same time, a crucial step in beginning to rewild our isles and tackle the planetary emergency. Join Josh Davis as we t...
Do birds pee? #shorts #birds #weeYou might not have given bird pee and poo too much thought before but there's more to the white splatters we see than you may have realised. Dr Alex Bond, Senior Curator of Birds at the Museum, explains the science behind how birds deal with food waste. ---------------- The Natural History Museum in London is home to more than 80 million objects, including meteorites, dinosaur bones and a giant squid. Our channel brings the Museum to you, from what goes o...
Restoring the river Ecclesbourne | Field StudiesAfter the removal of barriers, for the first time in over 100 years Atlantic salmon returned to spawn in the upper reaches of the river Ecclesbourne in Derbyshire. This initial success set in motion a huge project to improve the health of the river even further upstream, as well as to restore a section of the river to its natural course. Dive in with Josh Davis as he finds out how the health of the river is critical not only to the animals ...
How to rewild a golf course | Field StudiesOn the outskirts of Derby, the UK's largest urban rewilding project is taking a former municipal golf course and returning it to nature. Tee off with Josh Davis to find out what changes have taken place and how local community involvement has been important in shaping this project so far. We’ve been visiting a range of projects across Derbyshire to see how nature restoration and rewilding can work in practice and within communities. The Derb...
A guide on how to find fossils on the Isle of Wight | Field Studies (Audio Described)Fossil hunting is a fun and easy hobby to get into, but how do you get started? The good news is you don't have to be an expert palaeontologist to find fossils of dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures. Guided by Megan, Jack and Theo from @wightcoastfossils7921 we tried our hand at fossil collecting on the Isle of Wight. Join us as we visit some of the top locations on the island, explore through mil...
NASA probe returns with pristine asteroid samples (Audio Described)After seven years traversing the cosmos, a groundbreaking NASA mission is finally due home. OSIRIS-REx is bringing a record-breaking amount of asteroid material to Earth, which will allow scientists to find out more about the birth of the solar system. Find out more here: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/news/2023/september/nasa-osiris-rex-mission-return-earth-with-pristine-asteroid-samples.html ---------------- The Natur...
Creating urban green pathways | Field StudiesAs more people live in urban environments, access to and the appreciation of nature becomes more difficult. The Derbyshire Wildlife Trust are trying to improve both urban biodiversity and nature connectedness through the creation of green corridors through the centre of urban Derby by regenerating forgotten and misused patches of land scattered throughout the city. Watch as we find out how involving and working with the local community in jo...
The biggest dinosaurs ever: why did titanosaurs grow so large? (Audio Described)What was the largest dinosaur? And how did it get so big? If you're shouting 'Diplodocus!' and 'Brachiosaurus!', you're on the right track. Sauropods such as these were enormous. But the true champions were the titanosaurs, the last-surviving group of long-necked sauropods. Titanosaurs such as Puertasaurus, Patagotitan and Argentinosaurus were the longest and heaviest dinosaurs of them all. In fact, they we...
How do turtles breathe underwater? | Natural History Museum (Audio Described)Cloacal respiration is one of the reasons turtles can spend such long periods of time underwater, but what is it and how does it work? We asked Museum scientist Ashwini Mohan. ---------------- The Natural History Museum in London is home to more than 80 million objects, including meteorites, dinosaur bones and a giant squid. Our channel brings the Museum to you, from what goes on behind the scenes to surprising...
How does a fish scratch an itch? | Surprising Science (Audio Described)We sometimes associate 'fish' with 'fingers', but not the sort that can scratch an itch. So how do these animals cope when they get that itchy feeling? It turns out, some fishes seem to use sharks as living scratching posts. Our fish curator Dr Rupert Collins explains why. Want to learn more about this topic? Watch our 'closer look' video here: https://youtu.be/S03NFv2WHm0 ---------------- The Natural History Museum...
Tips on how to take photos of flies | Natural History Museum (Audio Described)Taking photos of flies can be tricky as they are fast moving and don't like to be approached too closely. Here are some tips to improve your photos so that they are clear enough for identification. Find out more on our Fly Finder project page: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/take-part/citizen-science/fly-finder.html --------------- The Natural History Museum in London is home to over 80 million objects, including meteo...
What is Coral? | Natural History Museum (Audio Described)You may be familiar with coral reefs, but while corals may look like plants or rocks, they're actually living animals. Find out why coral reefs are important: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/quick-questions/why-are-coral-reefs-important.html The work conducted by Leonardo Bertini at the NHM is part of 4D-REEF ( https://www.4d-reef.eu/), an Innovative Training Network that receives funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 r...
Our Mission: Advocates for the Planet | Natural History Museum (Audio Described)The Natural History Museum has always championed the natural world and today we remain a global source of curiosity, inspiration and joy. We continue to make ground-breaking scientific discoveries, unlocking the mysteries of 80 million specimens and sharing their stories with the world. But in the face of the planetary emergency, we are determined to do more and to go further. To look deeper into our plan...
Are there dead wasps in figs? | Surprising Science (Audio Described)Is it true that there are wasps in your figs? Figs and fig wasps have a mutualistic relationship, with females crawling into the plant's flowers to pollinate them and lay their eggs. But they get trapped inside in the process, so are the crunchy seeds in the fruit you eat actually the bodies of dead wasps? Our wasp expert Dr Gavin Broad digs into the details. The natural world is full of species that work together to g...
Behind the lens: Dome home by Vidyun R Hebbar #WPYInsights (Audio Described)Exploring his local theme park, Vidyun R Hebbar found an occupied spider’s web in a gap in a wall. A passing tuk-tuk (motorised rickshaw) provided a backdrop of rainbow colours to set off the spider’s silk creation. Tent spiders are tiny – this one had legs spanning less than 15 millimetres. They weave non-sticky, square-meshed domes, surrounded by tangled networks of threads that make it difficult for pre...
How big was megalodon, and how do we know? | Natural History Museum (Audio Described)Megalodon was an enormous shark that lived until about 3.6 million years ago. Thousands of their teeth have been found, but their body fossils are very rare. So how do we work out how big they were? Emma Bernard, a fossil fish expert at the Museum explains. Find out more about megalodon: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/megalodon--the-truth-about-the-largest-shark-that-ever-lived.html ---------------- Th...
What's a bedbug's bedroom secret? | Natural History Museum (Audio Described)The love life of a bedbug appears to be a little traumatic. Dr Erica McAlister explains these insects' surprising approach to romance. Find out more about unusual relationships in the animal kingdom: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/sting-of-love.html ---------------- The Natural History Museum in London is home to over 80 million specimens, including meteorites, dinosaur bones and a giant squid. Our channel bri...
How to make a hedgehog house | Natural History Museum (Audio Described)Hedgehogs hibernate through winter and need somewhere sheltered to protect them from the cold and from hungry predators. Why not help a hog by building them a home in your garden? Find out more about how to make a hedgehog house by visiting our website: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/how-to-make-a-hedgehog-house.html ---------------- The Natural History Museum in London is home to over 80 million specimens, includin...
Climate Solutions | Wildlife Photographer of the Year | Natural History Museum (Audio Described)We are living in a period of great change. Explore the threats facing our oceans and the world of potential solutions through the work of #WPY57 photographers David Doubilet and Jennifer Hayes who use the power of photography to tell the story of our oceans through time. With insights from: Dr Sylvia Earle, Marine Biologist David Doubilet, Underwater Photographer Dr Nadia Santodomingo, Post-...