Identify caterpillars | The Wildlife Trusts
WEBA caterpillar is the larval stage of a moth or butterfly. It is the second part of their four-stage life cycle: egg, larva, pupa and adult. Many caterpillars look very different as they grow, so we've described the larger stages of the caterpillar's growth when they're often more obvious. Some are easily spotted on their favourite food plants.
Identify UK snakes - The Wildlife Trusts
WEBThe adder is a greyish snake, with a dark and very distinct zig-zag pattern down its back, and a red eye. Males tend to be more silvery-grey in colour, while females are more light or reddish-brown. Black (melanistic) forms are sometimes spotted. Adders are small, around 60 to 80cm and are mostly likely to be spotted in woodland, heathland and ...
Rabbit - The Wildlife Trusts
WEBAbout. Most people have spotted these adorable animals grazing in long grasses looking for their favourite foods. They were first introduced to the UK by the Normans for food and fur but are now a common sight for many. They live in large groups in underground burrow systems known as ‘warrens’. Female rabbits, called ‘does’ produce one ...
Have you found a hornet? | The Wildlife Trusts
WEBThe non-native Asian predatory wasp, Vespa velutina (also known as the Asian hornet), is an invasive species from Asia. In September 2016, the National Bee Unit confirmed a sighting of the Asian hornet in the Tetbury area of Gloucestershire - this is the first time the hornet has been discovered in the UK. Further UK sightings were made in 2017 ...
Pine marten - The Wildlife Trusts
WEBAn elusive mustelid, the pine marten is mostly found in the north of the UK, particularly Scotland. It prefers woodland habitats, climbing very well and living in tree holes, old squirrel dreys or even old bird nests. It feeds on small rodents, birds, eggs, insects and fruit, and can even be encouraged to visit birdtables laden with peanuts and ...
Common frog - The Wildlife Trusts
WEBCommon frogs are amphibians, breeding in ponds during the spring and spending much of the rest of the year feeding in woodland, gardens, hedgerows and tussocky grassland. They are familiar inhabitants of garden ponds, where they lay their eggs in big 'rafts' of spawn. They feed on a variety of invertebrates and even smaller amphibians.
Stoat - The Wildlife Trusts
WEBThe stoat is a small predator, with a long, low-slung body that makes it particularly well suited to hunting small rodents and rabbits. It can easily kill an adult rabbit, which is much larger than itself, with a bite to the base of the skull. Stoats are active by day and night, and are easiest to spot in open habitats, such as sand dunes ...
Common shrew - The Wildlife Trusts
WEBA small, insectivorous mammal, the common shrew has tiny eyes and a large nose giving it keen sense of smell. Shrews hectively snuffle through the undergrowth for their prey, which includes earthworms, spiders and insect chrysalises. They can be found in most habitats, but prefer woodland and grassland. Active by day and night, they are very ...
English oak - The Wildlife Trusts
WEBAlso known as the 'Pedunculate oak' because its acorns grow on stalks or 'peduncles', the English oak is a common tree. It displays a broad, spreading crown above thick branches and a trunk that becomes fissured with age. Its autumnal acorns are highly prized by both people and wildlife - the former use them for fodder for pigs and the latter ...
Mole - The Wildlife Trusts
WEBHow to identify. The mole is unmistakable. It is a stocky little animal, covered in black, velvety fur, with tiny eyes, a long, pink nose and two big, shovel-like 'hands' for front paws. You're more likely to spot mole hills (the piled-up earth from their burrowing) than the …
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