Bird flu | Spider snares | Walking sharks

WILDLIFE

Authorities on alert to spread of bird flu in Australia

ESSAY

How to survive a snake bite

Deadly snakes are an occupational hazard in the Aussie bush. Here’s one nature lover’s incredible story of survival. 

STORE

Winter skies are calling

Winter brings some of the year’s best stargazing conditions. With longer nights and crisp, clear skies, it’s the perfect time to explore the Moon’s craters, distant planets, sparkling star clusters and the sweeping band of the Milky Way. Whether you’re shopping for a budding astronomer or treating yourself, a telescope opens the door to a lifetime of discovery.

HISTORY

The legendary warplanes that flew under bridges

Did daredevil pilots fly under bridges during World War II training exercises? Or are these stories merely aviation folklore?

SCIENCE

Australian spider uses spring-loaded trap to catch ants​

In an unprecedented example of hunting specialisation, the ballista spider has evolved a silk-powered snare that targets just one species of ant, launching its prey into the air with astonishing power and speed.

CREATURA

This little shark takes it all in its stride

“In the tide pools and reef flats of Australia’s north-eastern coast, nothing stays the same for long. Tides rise and retreat, taking food and oxygen with them. For many creatures, this instability would be too much to bear. But the epaulette shark has evolved not just to survive in these conditions but also to take advantage of them,” writes Bec Crew in her latest Creatura column.

SPECIES HIGHLIGHT

Bird-dropping spider

The common name of the bird-dropping spider (Celaenia excavata) is very literal, coming from their ability to mimic a bird’s poo, or ‘droppings’. With venom that isn’t considered toxic to humans, these spiders make their homes within many suburban backyards, although actually spotting one can be quite the challenge. Their clever camouflage works just as well on humans as it does on their most common predator – birds.

NOTES FROM THE FIELD

Island focus

Adelaide-based photographer Randy Larcombe has that rare capability to capture deep connections between people and landscapes, which made him the perfect choice for our story about eradicating invasive ferals from Flinders Island, off South Australia.

IN THE CALENDAR

International Day of the Tropics

Yesterday (29 June) was the United Nations’ International Day of the Tropics. One of the world’s most unique tropical ecosystems is found in Queensland where the UNESCO World Heritage Listed region’s rainforests are a relic of the ancient continent of Gondwana, dating back millions of years.

Keep the honey possum thriving in the wild

Exclusive event: Image meets impact

announce the winners of the 2026 Australian Geographic Awards for Nature. The award ceremony will coincide with an exclusive preview of the Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year exhibition. Don’t miss this truly memorable evening!