Environmental Graffiti

The Incredible Aqualung of the Diving Bell Spider

Sometimes we humans think we've got it all sown up when it comes to inventing ingenious means for surviving in environments in which we weren't meant to last two minutes. The the archetypal deep sea diver is a case in point. Yet while the image of a man in a cumbersome metallic suit with a cross between an armoured helmet and a goldfish bowl on his head might strike you as inspired, it starts to look a little foolish when compared with the grace of a kitted up diving bell spider.

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Gigantic Spider Gobbles Bird in Front of Camera

This is a series of photos to make even the most ardent of arachnophiles or the most bullish of bird bashers squirm in their seats, wincing at the image of that poor little tweety pie getting eaten by that beastly looking spider. The spider stealing the limelight – as well as its avian victim's vital fluids – is the none too unpleasantly named golden silk orb weaver, while its unfortunate meal was a type of finch.

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Predator Vs Prey

Predation. It's meat and drink to anyone interested in our obsessive documenting of the natural world. Maybe it has to do with parallels with the culture we live in, where many seem only too eager to prey on perceived weaker individuals for their own prosperity. You'll doubtless enjoy the following pics – while we offer a verdict on what the animals mean culturally. We kept expecting the voice of Donald Trump or Allan Sugar to declair: "You're fired!"

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The Top 3 Eco-Friendly Bug Awards

Nature is teaming with busy environmentalists, and nowhere more resourcefully so than in the diminutive world of invertebrates. As if their tootsies weren’t small enough, many of these little folks make it their life’s work to reduce their carbon footprints, recycling and reusing whatever is in their field. Without further ado, then, here are the three of the best. But who’ll take top spot?

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