Written by Lucy Marcham, this guide covers guinea pig essentials, including their social needs, hay-based diet and housing requirements. It also flags common health issues such as overgrown teeth and mites, advising prompt vet care when symptoms appear.

Polly Pocket, a hedgehog with an oral tumour and severe weight loss, arrived at Happy Quills in February 2025 and had surgery to remove the cancerous growth. Despite later expelling a large tumour mass unaided, she made a full recovery and remains a permanent foster.

Woodpeckers are known for their distinctive drumming sound and bright colours, and are valued as natural pest controllers in gardens. The article sets out simple ways for households to attract these beneficial birds to their outdoor space.

Biologists have discovered a breeding population of the critically endangered Cantor's Giant Softshell Turtle as part of conservation work in southern India. Knowledge shared by local communities led to the first-ever documented nesting evidence for the rare species.