Animals contribute hugely to science but are rarely considered stars of the show. Even when a piece of research makes us laugh (and then think) hard enough to be recognised with an Ig Nobel award, the real heroes – the animals themselves – are often overlooked.
Science communicator and host of Science in the Pub, Richard Marshall, has collected some of the funniest, quirkiest and most bizarre stories of animals in science, asking: Can a hamster levitate? Does a salmon emote? Did herring inspire a Doctor Who spoof? And just why are there so many cats in science?