Overall, February has been another milder-than-average month, dominated by unsettled, wet and windy weather, with heavy rain, flooding and periodic cold snaps. The jet stream has stayed relatively active and positioned to favour low-pressure incursions, meaning rainfall has been frequent and at times heavy, resulting in more than 90 flood warnings being issued by the Met Office. Snow and ice have affected parts of the country on and off throughout the month, especially in Scotland and northern and eastern England, but milder and occasionally brighter conditions emerged as the month progressed, although sunshine has been below average. Globally, February has been marked by extreme and contrasting weather — from record heat and fires in the Southern Hemisphere and significant storms and flooding across Europe and Africa, to cold weather driven by Arctic dynamics in North America.
Website news
Two months in and the first new species profile for 2026 has gone live. This month we take brief foray into the fascinating natural history of the raven in the latest Speed Read. Additionally, a few tweaks have been made to the Chinese water deer article, as well as the profiles for the red fox and tree squirrels, including what might be the world's oldest grey squirrel.
News and discoveries
Antlers answered? Antlers are the only known example of complete annual organ regeneration in mammals, but the genetic basis of their origin and diversity has remained frustratingly unclear. A recent study by Chinese scientists generated six high-quality deer genomes -- including the first reference genome for the tufted deer -- and compared them across the deer family. The data indicate a strong positive selection in genes related to stem cell differentiation and bone metabolism, especially in tissues involved in antler growth and regeneration. Certain deer tribes showed convergent evolution in key developmental pathways, particularly one known as RAS/MAPK, suggesting both that these pathways played a major role in the development and enhancement of antlers, and that that different lineages independently refined these pathways to enhance antler development. In contrast, their antlerless outgroup, the Chinese water deer, showed relaxed selection in genes linked to tumour suppression and skeletal regulation. Overall, the findings point to antler evolution having reshaped physiological trade-offs -- enhancing regeneration and bone remodelling while reducing cancer risk such rapid tissue growth would normally carry -- and provide valuable genomic insights for studying mammalian tissue regeneration.
Nose-to-nose. A new review paper examines nose-to-nose contact in different mammal species, revealing that although the physical behaviour is broadly similar, its functions vary according to species' social systems and sensory ecology. In solitary species like hedgehogs, nose-to-nose contact appears to be a by-product of close-range chemosensory investigation, likely conveying cues about health and reproductive status, rather than deliberate social communication. In contrast, social mammals such as bats, pigs, rats, and naked mole rats use nose-to-nose contact for social bonding, individual recognition, cooperation, and even establishing dominance, demonstrating how the same behaviour can be adapted for different purposes. Despite potential risks of this close contact, the persistence of this behaviour suggests significant informational or social benefits. Overall, the paper, published in Evolution and Human Behaviour in January, concludes that nose-to-nose contact has emerged as a versatile and evolutionarily flexible form of non-vocal communication.
Meles microplastics. The European badger, an omnivorous ground-foraging predator, could serve as a bioindicator of soil microplastic (MP) contamination by analysing MPs in its faeces suggests a study published in Environmental Pollution last month. Despite limited knowledge about their transfer through terrestrial food webs, the researchers found that badger droppings contained four times more MPs than those of the fish-specialist otter and amounts similar to coypu, suggesting substantial terrestrial exposure. The study suggests that earthworms, which feed in MP-accumulating topsoil, are likely a major source of these pollutants given that they constitute the bulk of the badger's diet. That said, no direct correlation was found between earthworm consumption and MP count in faeces, although this may be due to variable MP retention in worms or additional direct soil ingestion by badgers while foraging. Most MPs identified in the droppings were synthetic textile fibres, especially polyester, reflecting global increases in synthetic fibre production and fast-fashion trends. No difference in MP contamination was observed between samples collected within and outside of woodland, presumably reflecting that badgers forage mainly in grasslands where earthworms are more abundant, but use strategic latrines that are often away from feeding grounds. The scientists also point out that, compared to direct soil or earthworm sampling -- which is labour-intensive, variable, and potentially invasive -- analysing badger faeces offers a suitable alternative for assessing soil microplastic contamination, as faeces effectively concentrate these pollutants from multiple prey items into a more homogeneous and accessible sample.
Of espresso and elephants. Across the world elephant distribution is becoming increasingly restricted in the face of habitat degradation and conversion of wild land into farmland. This change draws elephants and people into closer contact, invariably sparking conflict. A sad indictment of this is seen in the 20 elephants killed each year in Thailand alone in response to elephant-related crop damage estimated at US$10 million annually. Now, with support from the Zoological Society of London's Thailand team, growers in the west of the country have launched a new agroforestry initiative focussed on cultivating coffee. Coffee thrives in the region but, crucially, doesn't attract elephants in the way sugarcane or cassava crops do. The project is helping communities improve their livelihoods with elephant-resistant crops, which is also promoting elephant-friendly farming methods, such as replacing some agrochemicals with less aggressive alternatives, that have seen an increase in overall biodiversity on the farms. The long-term goal of the project is to expand the model to other regions and foster a large-scale, sustainable, wildlife-friendly agricultural industry.
For a round-up of Britain's seasonal wildlife highlights for early winter, including fox cubs, mad March hares, and the wonderous arum lily, check out my Wildlife Watching - March blog.