Charmingly Challenged Critters
In this interactive, we dive headfirst into the world of nature's creatures that are a little light on charm. From the bizarre-looking to the badly behaved, we'll explore why these creatures deserve our attention, respect and conservation efforts. Get ready to meet some truly unique characters, from the delightfully ugly to the strangely charming...
start searching
Click on a Critter to start...
Dingy Skipper
Erynnis tages
Butterflies, with their kaleidoscope of colours, intricate wing patterns and varied characteristics, embody a rich tapestry of beauty in the natural world. Species like the iconic Blue Morpho , renowned for its striking metallic blue and majestic size, makes it easy to overlook the small and unassuming Dingy Skipper, whose name seems to mock its modest appearance and uses a word whose origin is likely the old English for “dung”. Pretty or plain, butterflies play vital roles as pollinators but also indicate the diversity of other species no matter how they look. Their presence serves as a barometer of environmental health, with a thriving butterfly population indicative of a flourishing ecosystem.
Click to see the real thing!
Learn More
Dingy Skipper
Erynnis tages
However, Dingy Skipper numbers have plummeted by 61%, mirroring a broader trend of butterfly populations in Britain dwindling by an average of 70% since the 1970s. This serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need to safeguard our natural heritage, which includes the Dingy Skipper. While it may lack the flamboyance of its counterparts, its decline signals us to pay attention to the small and humble. Preserving its habitat and understanding its ecological needs are not only essential for its survival but also for safeguarding the intricate web of life it represents. By taking action to protect the Dingy Skipper, we not only save a species but also uphold our commitment to preserving biodiversity for generations to come.
Click to see the real thing!
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Horrid Ground Weaver
Nothophantes horridus
This cryptic and illusive spider has a pretty unfortunate name at first glance! Spiders are not exactly the nation's favourite animal, targeted with a myriad of articles each year about huge beasts hiding in your cupboard, or suspected (and probably inaccurately reported) spider bites. So, the Horrid Ground Weaver is off to a bad start with a name that conjures up nightmarish visions of a predator. It can also be described as ‘troglodytic’, which means ‘to live in caves’ which sounds even worse, right?
Click to see the real thing!
Wrong! Find out why...
Horrid Ground Weaver
In reality, the scientific name 'horridus' comes from the Latin for “bristly”, describing its abdomen and legs. It’s also 2.5 mm in length, and these ‘caves’ are gaps between rocks at limestone quarries in Plymouth, Devon. Only 35 records exist, and as an endemic species that is restricted to one place and nowhere else on planet earth, it is an important and unique animal. Spiders eat other insects to naturally control their numbers but they're are increasingly important in research; this includes making strong materials out of their webs , or anti-cancer medication from their venom . So, we should cherish spiders, especially tiny, rare and wholly unique species like our bristly friend Nothophantes horridus.
Click to see the real thing!
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Red Backed-Shrike
Lanius collurio - Linnaeus
Lots of common songbirds (Passerines), are beloved for their colourful feathers, melodic tunes or characterful personalities. At first glance, the Red-Backed Shrike resembles its relatives with its cute fluffy feathers and black eye-band. It's behaviour, however, is far from adorable and their common name as “butcher birds” is perhaps quite apt. They are predatory birds famed for their habit of catching prey and skewering it on a thorn to produce a gruesome, yet apparently appealing display… if you’re a female Red-Backed Shrike. This larder is shown off to would-be mates, who select their partner based on the most impressive, macabre collection of impaled insects, small mammals and even other birds.
Click to see the real thing!
(warning, it's grusome!)
Play the shrike's call
Learn More
Red Backed-Shrike
This bird was once a common migratory visitor to the UK, but its numbers have seen a steep decline, and it ceases to breed here since 1988. The reasons for its decline are not well understood, but the swathe of egg collecting in the 70's, 80's and late 90's is thought to be part of the issue, despite it being illegal then and now. Additionally, decline of the quality and amount of the British countryside undoubtably plays a large role, with hay meadows, hedges and heathland in England being primary habitat—all of which have seen substantial loss in recent years. Fortunately, these birds are doing better in Europe, but it sends a stark warning about the state of nature in the UK, and a clear signal that things need to change.
Click to see the real thing!
(warning, it's grusome!)
Play the shrike's call
Choose another critter
Hornet Robberfly
Click to see the real thing!
Asilus crabroniformis
If there’s anything people are almost universally fearful of or annoyed by, it’s hornets and wasps. Add 'robber' to that name and you’ve got a book that will immediately be judged by its cover. The hornet robberfly's yellow strips are reminiscent of a hornet too, as it bears striking resemblance to the European hornet (Vespa crabro), which is what the crabroniformis part of its name means (“hornet-form”). They also breed in dung, which is sounds unpleasant, to say to the least. If you see one and avoid it because it looks like a hornet, then it’s trick has worked on you - you’ve been fooled by a harmless fly!
What?! How?
Hornet Robberfly
Click to see the real thing!
This is a type of predator defence mechanism known as Batesian mimicry, where an otherwise harmless species has evolved the appearance of a more threatening one to a shared predator. This is a marvel of evolution, and as the Hornet Robberfly is both predator to other insects, and prey for larger animals, like birds or spiders, it helps form ecological networks that drive the gears on our living world. This is a priority species under the UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework due to its decline caused by the chemicals used in agriculture that make their way to the animal dung it reproduces in. Therefore, this pest-controlling harmless yet colourful fly has a bad name, literally, and should be protected as some farming practices have effectively poisoned its home.
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Natterjack Toad
Lanius collurio - Linnaeus
Toads a have been subject to many myths and superstitions. They can sometimes be found in dirty-looking water and thereby be assumed to carry diseases. You might see them as an ingredient in a witch’s spell or be aware of the widespread myth that touching a toad will give you warts, due to their bumpy, wart-like textured skin. Turning into a frog or a toad (two distinct species often confused) as a form of punishment is also something associated with witches and European folklore. However, none of this is true! They cannot give you warts, witches spells do not work, and they are found in all kinds of different water conditions and do not spread diseases.
Listen to the Toad's Croak
Click to see the real thing!
So, what's the truth?
Natterjack Toad
What they do is help control pests such as slugs, snails, and flies. The Natterjack Toad is a rare amphibian which is found at just a few coastal hotspots in the UK, where it prefers shallow pools on sand dunes, heaths, and marshes. While small, they are also surprisingly long-lived, with an average life span between 10 and 15 years. When mating, they have an impressive loud call, with the Amphibian and Reptile Trust reporting one smart individual calling into a jam jar to amplify the sound even more! However, this call is now mostly unheard in much of the country. Strongholds include the Merseyside coast and the Scottish Solway, but once common on heathland in Surrey and Hampshire, their night call will fall evermore silent due to habitat loss.
Listen to the Toad's Croak
Click to see the real thing!
Choose another critter
Wart-Biter Cricket
Click to see the real thing!
Decticus verrucivorus
Gah! What a name. This is a perfect example of an animal which should not be judged by its (quite horrific) name. It’s scientific name of verrucivorus is from the Latin for verruca, which means wart, and vorare, which means ‘to devour’. This name is given due to its razor-sharp teeth aiding the removal of warts according to Swedish folklore. Apparently, in the 1700s, the upper classes kept one of these insects in their top pocket for easy access to chew off their warts and callouses. Gross.
So what's the truth?
Play the Cricket's Sound
Wart-Biter Cricket
Click to see the real thing!
The Wart-Biter Cricket is an omnivore whose diet includes small insects, such as grasshoppers, and developing flower heads and their nutrient-rich seeds. Unsurprisingly, as this list doesn't include human flesh, it is not effective at eating warts, and they were never very good at this, if it worked at all! This is one of Britian's most endangered insects on an unfortunately growing list. However, the populations which exist are remaining stable which shows that, where the right habitat exists and with effective management practices, this species can thrive. The main threat is the loss of high-quality grassland, particularly chalk grassland which is rare and very species rich. Intensive agriculture, urbanisation and poor management practices are the main causes of habitat loss.
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Play the Cricket's Sound
New Forest Cicada
Lanius collurio - Linnaeus
Click to see the real thing!
Bugs are often maligned, and often when people “hate bugs” they probably mean “hate insects”, as all bugs are insects but not all insects are bugs . However, if you “hate bugs, you’d probably hate the New Forest Cicada as is a 3cm long stocky bug, and one of the largest insects in the UK. However, as the name suggests this bug is found only in the New Forest, a rare mixture of ancient heath and woodland with the designation of a Special Site of Scientific Interest (SSSI) which is probably over 1,000 years old.
Play the cicada's sound
Find out more
New Forest Cicada
The New Forest has many unique species, and this bug is one of them. Of the 2,000 described species of Cicada, this is the sole representative found in the UK, residing in a distinct habitat that has remained unchanged for many hundreds of years. Species such as this exemplify the exceptional and remarkable beauty of the New Forest, which captivated William The Conqueror’s affection in 1079, and likewise, its most extraordinary inhabitants should be cherished.
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Play the cicada's sound
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Greater Mouse-Eared Bat
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Lanius collurio - Linnaeus
In the inky blackness of a moonlit night, a creature stalks the underground tunnels of West Sussex. Its skin, rubbery and almost translucent, clings tightly to gaunt, skeletal arms. Its mouth hangs open, gaping to reveal maw of pointed needle-like teeth. Cloaked in darkness, the creature exudes an aura of unsettling mystery... It can see you, but you can't see it! I am of course describing… the Greater Mouse-eared bat. While bats are clearly associated with vampires, they are harmless and sometimes cute creatures that are important parts of our ecosystems.
Play the bat's sound
Tell me more
Greater Mouse-Eared Bat
Click to see the real thing!
Unlike Count Dracula, the Greater mouse-eared bat does not drink blood, attack people at night or live in a massive luxurious Transylvanian castle. Instead, they spend their nights listening out for beetles, moths, centipedes, spiders and other insects to pray on in open woodlands, and their nights roosting in much more affordable dark tunnels. Nighttime woods and daytime tunnels are still creepy, but these bats are harmless and are insectivorous . Perhaps in a reaction to woodland loss and insect decline, this is now a critically endangered species in the UK. Tragically, there are just two individuals left in the entire country. They are likely to be migrants from mainland Europe, as no breeding sites have been found in the UK since the 1980’s. If ever there was a tragic tale of the consequences of deforestation, it’s the last two remaining species of a bat, nestled away in the dark.
Play the bat's sound
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River Lamprey
Click to see the real thing!
Lanius collurio - Linnaeus
The River Lamprey looks like an eel but it’s actually a fish, with a suction-like mouth full of teeth that uses it to suck blood from other fish, although this is rarely fatal but no less harrowing. The word Lampetra comes from two words, "lambo" meaning to lick, and "petra" for stone. “Fluviatilis" means of the river, literally translated it means something like “rock licker of the river", which reflects its habitat and behaviour of suckering onto rocks during nest building and mating. They’re also a suspect for the death of King Henry I (in pie form) by giving him food poisoning in December 1135.
So, does it bite??
River Lamprey
Click to see the real thing!
Not a great start, but this species is now extinct in Italy, Switzerland and possibly Portugal. While population trends are not known in the UK, our rivers are in poor condition with only 16% reaching “good” ecological status. Main threats to this fish include agricultural runoff, the discharge of inadequately treated urban wastewater, and the widespread modification of rivers to facilitate the construction of dams and hydropower projects. With their strange and interesting appearance, almost vampiric behaviour and penchant for licking stones, it would be sad to lose such an unusual fish. Weird is wonderful!
Choose another critter
Let me sing you a song!
Let's be friends?
I think I'm great!
I'm just trying to impress the ladies...
Nothing to hear here
Cicadas make a highly distinctive buzzing sound which can be unique and interesting to loud and annoying, depending on who you ask. You probably can’t hear the call of this species though, which is possibly a relief for some!
I am beautiful, no matter what they say
'Horrid' actually means 'bristly' in Latin
Let me sing you a song!
Toad vs Frog
Frogs have smooth and shiny skin with long legs for jumping, while toads are drier, with skin that has a wart-like texture, and short legs for crawling. Toad tadpoles have beautiful gold speckles and makes them easy to tell apart from frog tadpoles which do not.
Let's be friends?
'Horrid' actually means 'bristly' in Latin
Look, I didn't choose my name...
I'm just trying to impress the ladies...
Dingy?! I prefer 'tastefully neutral'
Haha, fooled you!
References Used in this Interactive
- ARC Trust. (n.d.). Natterjack toad | Amphibian and Reptile Conservation. Retrieved June 3, 2024, from https://www.arc-trust.org/natterjack-toad
- Bat Conservation Trust. (n.d.). Greater mouse-eared bat. Retrieved June 3, 2024, from https://www.bats.org.uk/about-bats/what-are-bats/uk-bats/greater-mouse-eared-bat
- Bat Conservation Trust. (2023). Greater mouse-eared bat population doubles - to 2! “This is a hugely important discovery” - News - Bat Conservation Trust. https://www.bats.org.uk/news/2023/01/greater-mouse-eared-bat-population-doubles-to-2-this-is-a-hugely-important-discovery
- BBC News. (2017). Rare wart-biter cricket’s powers put to the test - BBC News. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-kent-41530058
- Buglife. (n.d.-a). Hornet Robberfly - Bug Directory - Buglife. Retrieved June 4, 2024, from https://www.buglife.org.uk/bugs/bug-directory/hornet-robberfly/
- Buglife. (n.d.-b). New forest cicada - Bug Directory - Buglife. Retrieved May 16, 2024, from https://www.buglife.org.uk/bugs/bug-directory/new-forest-cicada/
- Buglife. (n.d.-c). Wart-biter Bush-cricket - Bug Directory. Retrieved June 3, 2024, from https://www.buglife.org.uk/bugs/bug-directory/wart-biter-bush-cricket/
- Butterfly Conservation. (n.d.). Dingy Skipper | Butterfly Conservation. Retrieved May 16, 2024, from https://butterfly-conservation.org/butterflies/dingy-skipper
- Dearborn, D. C., & Kark, S. (2010). Motivations for Conserving Urban Biodiversity. Conservation Biology, 24(2), 432–440. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1523-1739.2009.01328.x
- Fishbase. (n.d.). Lampetra fluviatilis, River lamprey. Retrieved May 16, 2024, from https://fishbase.mnhn.fr/summary/4480
- JNCC. (2018). UK conservation status assessment for S1099 - River lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilis) as part of the Fourth Report by the United Kingdom under Article 17 of the EU Habitats Directive. https://jncc.gov.uk/jncc-assets/Art17/S1099-UK-Habitats-Directive-Art17-2019.pdf
- JNCC. (2019). UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework (2012–2019) | JNCC Resource Hub. https://hub.jncc.gov.uk/assets/587024ff-864f-4d1d-a669-f38cb448abdc
- JNCC. (2023). UKBI - C6. Insects of the wider countryside | JNCC - Adviser to Government on Nature Conservation. https://jncc.gov.uk/our-work/ukbi-c6-insects-of-the-wider-countryside/#habitat-specialists
- Natural World Fund. (n.d.). Red-Backed Shrike – A Sad Story of Wildlife Decline in the UK - Natural World Fund. Retrieved May 16, 2024, from https://naturalworldfund.com/red-backed-shrike-a-sad-story-of-wildlife-decline-in-the-uk/
- Neal, W. (2022). Butterflies tell us more than you might think about our natural world | OpenLearn - Open University. https://www.open.edu/openlearn/nature-environment/butterflies-tell-us-more-you-might-think-about-our-natural-world
- Neal, W., Araya, Y., & Wheeler, P. M. (2024). Influence of canopy structural complexity on urban woodland butterfly species richness. Journal of Insect Conservation, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1007/S10841-024-00594-Z
- Nilon, C. H. (2011). Urban biodiversity and the importance of management and conservation. Landscape and Ecological Engineering, 7(1), 45–52. https://doi.org/10.1007/S11355-010-0146-8/FIGURES/3
- The Guardian. (n.d.). The egg snatchers | Environment | The Guardian. Retrieved May 16, 2024, from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2006/dec/11/g2.ruralaffairs
- Tryjanowski, P., Sparks, T.H. and Humpphrey, C. (2006) “Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio) nest performance in a declining British population: A comparison with a stable population in Poland,” Ornis Fennica, pp. 181–186. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/286957177.
- UK Government. (n.d.). Habitats and species of principal importance in England - GOV.UK. Retrieved May 16, 2024, from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/habitats-and-species-of-principal-importance-in-england
- UK Parliament. (2024). Environmental Audit Committee scrutinises Government’s water quality plan - Committees - UK Parliament. https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/62/environmental-audit-committee/news/201458/environmental-audit-committee-scrutinises-governments-water-quality-plan/
- Unlocking the Severn. (n.d.). Lamprey. Retrieved May 16, 2024, from https://www.unlockingthesevern.co.uk/our-river/lamprey/
- Wildlife Trust. (n.d.). Natterjack toad | The Wildlife Trusts. Retrieved June 3, 2024, from https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/amphibians/natterjack-toad
Nothing to hear here
Cicadas make a highly distinctive buzzing sound which can be unique and interesting to loud and annoying, depending on who you ask. You probably can’t hear the call of this species though, which is possibly a relief for some!
Look, I didn't choose my name...
I think I'm great!
Dingy?! I prefer 'tastefully neutral'
Haha, fooled you!
References Used in this Interactive
- ARC Trust. (n.d.). Natterjack toad | Amphibian and Reptile Conservation. Retrieved June 3, 2024, from https://www.arc-trust.org/natterjack-toad
- Bat Conservation Trust. (n.d.). Greater mouse-eared bat. Retrieved June 3, 2024, from https://www.bats.org.uk/about-bats/what-are-bats/uk-bats/greater-mouse-eared-bat
- Bat Conservation Trust. (2023). Greater mouse-eared bat population doubles - to 2! “This is a hugely important discovery” - News - Bat Conservation Trust. https://www.bats.org.uk/news/2023/01/greater-mouse-eared-bat-population-doubles-to-2-this-is-a-hugely-important-discovery
- BBC News. (2017). Rare wart-biter cricket’s powers put to the test - BBC News. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-kent-41530058
- Buglife. (n.d.-a). Hornet Robberfly - Bug Directory - Buglife. Retrieved June 4, 2024, from https://www.buglife.org.uk/bugs/bug-directory/hornet-robberfly/
- Buglife. (n.d.-b). New forest cicada - Bug Directory - Buglife. Retrieved May 16, 2024, from https://www.buglife.org.uk/bugs/bug-directory/new-forest-cicada/
- Buglife. (n.d.-c). Wart-biter Bush-cricket - Bug Directory. Retrieved June 3, 2024, from https://www.buglife.org.uk/bugs/bug-directory/wart-biter-bush-cricket/
- Butterfly Conservation. (n.d.). Dingy Skipper | Butterfly Conservation. Retrieved May 16, 2024, from https://butterfly-conservation.org/butterflies/dingy-skipper
- Dearborn, D. C., & Kark, S. (2010). Motivations for Conserving Urban Biodiversity. Conservation Biology, 24(2), 432–440. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1523-1739.2009.01328.x
- Fishbase. (n.d.). Lampetra fluviatilis, River lamprey. Retrieved May 16, 2024, from https://fishbase.mnhn.fr/summary/4480
- JNCC. (2018). UK conservation status assessment for S1099 - River lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilis) as part of the Fourth Report by the United Kingdom under Article 17 of the EU Habitats Directive. https://jncc.gov.uk/jncc-assets/Art17/S1099-UK-Habitats-Directive-Art17-2019.pdf
- JNCC. (2019). UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework (2012–2019) | JNCC Resource Hub. https://hub.jncc.gov.uk/assets/587024ff-864f-4d1d-a669-f38cb448abdc
- JNCC. (2023). UKBI - C6. Insects of the wider countryside | JNCC - Adviser to Government on Nature Conservation. https://jncc.gov.uk/our-work/ukbi-c6-insects-of-the-wider-countryside/#habitat-specialists
- Natural World Fund. (n.d.). Red-Backed Shrike – A Sad Story of Wildlife Decline in the UK - Natural World Fund. Retrieved May 16, 2024, from https://naturalworldfund.com/red-backed-shrike-a-sad-story-of-wildlife-decline-in-the-uk/
- Neal, W. (2022). Butterflies tell us more than you might think about our natural world | OpenLearn - Open University. https://www.open.edu/openlearn/nature-environment/butterflies-tell-us-more-you-might-think-about-our-natural-world
- Neal, W., Araya, Y., & Wheeler, P. M. (2024). Influence of canopy structural complexity on urban woodland butterfly species richness. Journal of Insect Conservation, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1007/S10841-024-00594-Z
- Nilon, C. H. (2011). Urban biodiversity and the importance of management and conservation. Landscape and Ecological Engineering, 7(1), 45–52. https://doi.org/10.1007/S11355-010-0146-8/FIGURES/3
- The Guardian. (n.d.). The egg snatchers | Environment | The Guardian. Retrieved May 16, 2024, from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2006/dec/11/g2.ruralaffairs
- Tryjanowski, P., Sparks, T.H. and Humpphrey, C. (2006) “Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio) nest performance in a declining British population: A comparison with a stable population in Poland,” Ornis Fennica, pp. 181–186. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/286957177.
- UK Government. (n.d.). Habitats and species of principal importance in England - GOV.UK. Retrieved May 16, 2024, from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/habitats-and-species-of-principal-importance-in-england
- UK Parliament. (2024). Environmental Audit Committee scrutinises Government’s water quality plan - Committees - UK Parliament. https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/62/environmental-audit-committee/news/201458/environmental-audit-committee-scrutinises-governments-water-quality-plan/
- Unlocking the Severn. (n.d.). Lamprey. Retrieved May 16, 2024, from https://www.unlockingthesevern.co.uk/our-river/lamprey/
- Wildlife Trust. (n.d.). Natterjack toad | The Wildlife Trusts. Retrieved June 3, 2024, from https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/amphibians/natterjack-toad
I am beautiful, no matter what they say
Toad vs Frog
Frogs have smooth and shiny skin with long legs for jumping, while toads are drier, with skin that has a wart-like texture, and short legs for crawling. Toad tadpoles have beautiful gold speckles and makes them easy to tell apart from frog tadpoles which do not.
Charmingly Challenged Critters
B&P
Created on April 25, 2024
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Transcript
Charmingly Challenged Critters
In this interactive, we dive headfirst into the world of nature's creatures that are a little light on charm. From the bizarre-looking to the badly behaved, we'll explore why these creatures deserve our attention, respect and conservation efforts. Get ready to meet some truly unique characters, from the delightfully ugly to the strangely charming...
start searching
Click on a Critter to start...
Dingy Skipper
Erynnis tages
Butterflies, with their kaleidoscope of colours, intricate wing patterns and varied characteristics, embody a rich tapestry of beauty in the natural world. Species like the iconic Blue Morpho , renowned for its striking metallic blue and majestic size, makes it easy to overlook the small and unassuming Dingy Skipper, whose name seems to mock its modest appearance and uses a word whose origin is likely the old English for “dung”. Pretty or plain, butterflies play vital roles as pollinators but also indicate the diversity of other species no matter how they look. Their presence serves as a barometer of environmental health, with a thriving butterfly population indicative of a flourishing ecosystem.
Click to see the real thing!
Learn More
Dingy Skipper
Erynnis tages
However, Dingy Skipper numbers have plummeted by 61%, mirroring a broader trend of butterfly populations in Britain dwindling by an average of 70% since the 1970s. This serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need to safeguard our natural heritage, which includes the Dingy Skipper. While it may lack the flamboyance of its counterparts, its decline signals us to pay attention to the small and humble. Preserving its habitat and understanding its ecological needs are not only essential for its survival but also for safeguarding the intricate web of life it represents. By taking action to protect the Dingy Skipper, we not only save a species but also uphold our commitment to preserving biodiversity for generations to come.
Click to see the real thing!
Choose another critter
Horrid Ground Weaver
Nothophantes horridus
This cryptic and illusive spider has a pretty unfortunate name at first glance! Spiders are not exactly the nation's favourite animal, targeted with a myriad of articles each year about huge beasts hiding in your cupboard, or suspected (and probably inaccurately reported) spider bites. So, the Horrid Ground Weaver is off to a bad start with a name that conjures up nightmarish visions of a predator. It can also be described as ‘troglodytic’, which means ‘to live in caves’ which sounds even worse, right?
Click to see the real thing!
Wrong! Find out why...
Horrid Ground Weaver
In reality, the scientific name 'horridus' comes from the Latin for “bristly”, describing its abdomen and legs. It’s also 2.5 mm in length, and these ‘caves’ are gaps between rocks at limestone quarries in Plymouth, Devon. Only 35 records exist, and as an endemic species that is restricted to one place and nowhere else on planet earth, it is an important and unique animal. Spiders eat other insects to naturally control their numbers but they're are increasingly important in research; this includes making strong materials out of their webs , or anti-cancer medication from their venom . So, we should cherish spiders, especially tiny, rare and wholly unique species like our bristly friend Nothophantes horridus.
Click to see the real thing!
Choose another critter
Red Backed-Shrike
Lanius collurio - Linnaeus
Lots of common songbirds (Passerines), are beloved for their colourful feathers, melodic tunes or characterful personalities. At first glance, the Red-Backed Shrike resembles its relatives with its cute fluffy feathers and black eye-band. It's behaviour, however, is far from adorable and their common name as “butcher birds” is perhaps quite apt. They are predatory birds famed for their habit of catching prey and skewering it on a thorn to produce a gruesome, yet apparently appealing display… if you’re a female Red-Backed Shrike. This larder is shown off to would-be mates, who select their partner based on the most impressive, macabre collection of impaled insects, small mammals and even other birds.
Click to see the real thing!
(warning, it's grusome!)
Play the shrike's call
Learn More
Red Backed-Shrike
This bird was once a common migratory visitor to the UK, but its numbers have seen a steep decline, and it ceases to breed here since 1988. The reasons for its decline are not well understood, but the swathe of egg collecting in the 70's, 80's and late 90's is thought to be part of the issue, despite it being illegal then and now. Additionally, decline of the quality and amount of the British countryside undoubtably plays a large role, with hay meadows, hedges and heathland in England being primary habitat—all of which have seen substantial loss in recent years. Fortunately, these birds are doing better in Europe, but it sends a stark warning about the state of nature in the UK, and a clear signal that things need to change.
Click to see the real thing!
(warning, it's grusome!)
Play the shrike's call
Choose another critter
Hornet Robberfly
Click to see the real thing!
Asilus crabroniformis
If there’s anything people are almost universally fearful of or annoyed by, it’s hornets and wasps. Add 'robber' to that name and you’ve got a book that will immediately be judged by its cover. The hornet robberfly's yellow strips are reminiscent of a hornet too, as it bears striking resemblance to the European hornet (Vespa crabro), which is what the crabroniformis part of its name means (“hornet-form”). They also breed in dung, which is sounds unpleasant, to say to the least. If you see one and avoid it because it looks like a hornet, then it’s trick has worked on you - you’ve been fooled by a harmless fly!
What?! How?
Hornet Robberfly
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This is a type of predator defence mechanism known as Batesian mimicry, where an otherwise harmless species has evolved the appearance of a more threatening one to a shared predator. This is a marvel of evolution, and as the Hornet Robberfly is both predator to other insects, and prey for larger animals, like birds or spiders, it helps form ecological networks that drive the gears on our living world. This is a priority species under the UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework due to its decline caused by the chemicals used in agriculture that make their way to the animal dung it reproduces in. Therefore, this pest-controlling harmless yet colourful fly has a bad name, literally, and should be protected as some farming practices have effectively poisoned its home.
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Natterjack Toad
Lanius collurio - Linnaeus
Toads a have been subject to many myths and superstitions. They can sometimes be found in dirty-looking water and thereby be assumed to carry diseases. You might see them as an ingredient in a witch’s spell or be aware of the widespread myth that touching a toad will give you warts, due to their bumpy, wart-like textured skin. Turning into a frog or a toad (two distinct species often confused) as a form of punishment is also something associated with witches and European folklore. However, none of this is true! They cannot give you warts, witches spells do not work, and they are found in all kinds of different water conditions and do not spread diseases.
Listen to the Toad's Croak
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So, what's the truth?
Natterjack Toad
What they do is help control pests such as slugs, snails, and flies. The Natterjack Toad is a rare amphibian which is found at just a few coastal hotspots in the UK, where it prefers shallow pools on sand dunes, heaths, and marshes. While small, they are also surprisingly long-lived, with an average life span between 10 and 15 years. When mating, they have an impressive loud call, with the Amphibian and Reptile Trust reporting one smart individual calling into a jam jar to amplify the sound even more! However, this call is now mostly unheard in much of the country. Strongholds include the Merseyside coast and the Scottish Solway, but once common on heathland in Surrey and Hampshire, their night call will fall evermore silent due to habitat loss.
Listen to the Toad's Croak
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Wart-Biter Cricket
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Decticus verrucivorus
Gah! What a name. This is a perfect example of an animal which should not be judged by its (quite horrific) name. It’s scientific name of verrucivorus is from the Latin for verruca, which means wart, and vorare, which means ‘to devour’. This name is given due to its razor-sharp teeth aiding the removal of warts according to Swedish folklore. Apparently, in the 1700s, the upper classes kept one of these insects in their top pocket for easy access to chew off their warts and callouses. Gross.
So what's the truth?
Play the Cricket's Sound
Wart-Biter Cricket
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The Wart-Biter Cricket is an omnivore whose diet includes small insects, such as grasshoppers, and developing flower heads and their nutrient-rich seeds. Unsurprisingly, as this list doesn't include human flesh, it is not effective at eating warts, and they were never very good at this, if it worked at all! This is one of Britian's most endangered insects on an unfortunately growing list. However, the populations which exist are remaining stable which shows that, where the right habitat exists and with effective management practices, this species can thrive. The main threat is the loss of high-quality grassland, particularly chalk grassland which is rare and very species rich. Intensive agriculture, urbanisation and poor management practices are the main causes of habitat loss.
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Play the Cricket's Sound
New Forest Cicada
Lanius collurio - Linnaeus
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Bugs are often maligned, and often when people “hate bugs” they probably mean “hate insects”, as all bugs are insects but not all insects are bugs . However, if you “hate bugs, you’d probably hate the New Forest Cicada as is a 3cm long stocky bug, and one of the largest insects in the UK. However, as the name suggests this bug is found only in the New Forest, a rare mixture of ancient heath and woodland with the designation of a Special Site of Scientific Interest (SSSI) which is probably over 1,000 years old.
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Find out more
New Forest Cicada
The New Forest has many unique species, and this bug is one of them. Of the 2,000 described species of Cicada, this is the sole representative found in the UK, residing in a distinct habitat that has remained unchanged for many hundreds of years. Species such as this exemplify the exceptional and remarkable beauty of the New Forest, which captivated William The Conqueror’s affection in 1079, and likewise, its most extraordinary inhabitants should be cherished.
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Play the cicada's sound
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Greater Mouse-Eared Bat
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Lanius collurio - Linnaeus
In the inky blackness of a moonlit night, a creature stalks the underground tunnels of West Sussex. Its skin, rubbery and almost translucent, clings tightly to gaunt, skeletal arms. Its mouth hangs open, gaping to reveal maw of pointed needle-like teeth. Cloaked in darkness, the creature exudes an aura of unsettling mystery... It can see you, but you can't see it! I am of course describing… the Greater Mouse-eared bat. While bats are clearly associated with vampires, they are harmless and sometimes cute creatures that are important parts of our ecosystems.
Play the bat's sound
Tell me more
Greater Mouse-Eared Bat
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Unlike Count Dracula, the Greater mouse-eared bat does not drink blood, attack people at night or live in a massive luxurious Transylvanian castle. Instead, they spend their nights listening out for beetles, moths, centipedes, spiders and other insects to pray on in open woodlands, and their nights roosting in much more affordable dark tunnels. Nighttime woods and daytime tunnels are still creepy, but these bats are harmless and are insectivorous . Perhaps in a reaction to woodland loss and insect decline, this is now a critically endangered species in the UK. Tragically, there are just two individuals left in the entire country. They are likely to be migrants from mainland Europe, as no breeding sites have been found in the UK since the 1980’s. If ever there was a tragic tale of the consequences of deforestation, it’s the last two remaining species of a bat, nestled away in the dark.
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River Lamprey
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Lanius collurio - Linnaeus
The River Lamprey looks like an eel but it’s actually a fish, with a suction-like mouth full of teeth that uses it to suck blood from other fish, although this is rarely fatal but no less harrowing. The word Lampetra comes from two words, "lambo" meaning to lick, and "petra" for stone. “Fluviatilis" means of the river, literally translated it means something like “rock licker of the river", which reflects its habitat and behaviour of suckering onto rocks during nest building and mating. They’re also a suspect for the death of King Henry I (in pie form) by giving him food poisoning in December 1135.
So, does it bite??
River Lamprey
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Not a great start, but this species is now extinct in Italy, Switzerland and possibly Portugal. While population trends are not known in the UK, our rivers are in poor condition with only 16% reaching “good” ecological status. Main threats to this fish include agricultural runoff, the discharge of inadequately treated urban wastewater, and the widespread modification of rivers to facilitate the construction of dams and hydropower projects. With their strange and interesting appearance, almost vampiric behaviour and penchant for licking stones, it would be sad to lose such an unusual fish. Weird is wonderful!
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Let me sing you a song!
Let's be friends?
I think I'm great!
I'm just trying to impress the ladies...
Nothing to hear here
Cicadas make a highly distinctive buzzing sound which can be unique and interesting to loud and annoying, depending on who you ask. You probably can’t hear the call of this species though, which is possibly a relief for some!
I am beautiful, no matter what they say
'Horrid' actually means 'bristly' in Latin
Let me sing you a song!
Toad vs Frog
Frogs have smooth and shiny skin with long legs for jumping, while toads are drier, with skin that has a wart-like texture, and short legs for crawling. Toad tadpoles have beautiful gold speckles and makes them easy to tell apart from frog tadpoles which do not.
Let's be friends?
'Horrid' actually means 'bristly' in Latin
Look, I didn't choose my name...
I'm just trying to impress the ladies...
Dingy?! I prefer 'tastefully neutral'
Haha, fooled you!
References Used in this Interactive
Nothing to hear here
Cicadas make a highly distinctive buzzing sound which can be unique and interesting to loud and annoying, depending on who you ask. You probably can’t hear the call of this species though, which is possibly a relief for some!
Look, I didn't choose my name...
I think I'm great!
Dingy?! I prefer 'tastefully neutral'
Haha, fooled you!
References Used in this Interactive
I am beautiful, no matter what they say
Toad vs Frog
Frogs have smooth and shiny skin with long legs for jumping, while toads are drier, with skin that has a wart-like texture, and short legs for crawling. Toad tadpoles have beautiful gold speckles and makes them easy to tell apart from frog tadpoles which do not.