Images Dated 6th June 2008

Red squirrel

Red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) feeding. The red squirrel is Britain's only native squirrel. It is widely distributed throughout Europe. In Britain it has been in decline for the last 100 years and the UK population is estimated to be about 160, 000 with the majority in Scotland. This decline is mainly due to the introduction of the grey squirrel (Sciurius carolinensis) from North America in 1876. Competition and the spread of a virus by the grey squirrel has led to its dominance. In England, the red squirrel is currently outnumbered by the grey squirrel by about 66:1. If the current rate of decline continues the red squirrel is expected to be extinct in the UK in 20-30 years. Photographed in Northumberland National Park, UK

© Simon Fraser/Science Photo Library

Silkworm, SEM

Silkworm. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the head of a silkworm moth caterpillar (Bombyx mori). The silkworm uses its chewing mouthparts (upper centre) to feed on mulberry leaves. On either side of the mouthparts is an antenna and several simple eyes (ocelli, black round structures, upper left and right). The caterpillar has three pairs of jointed legs behind the head (lower centre). Most caterpillars also have prolegs further along the body (not seen). The silkworm produces threads of silk with which it constructs a cocoon. People farm silkworms for their silk, which is woven into cloth. Magnification: x25 when printed 10cm wide

© Eye Of Science/Science Photo Library

Emperor penguins

Emperor penguins. Emperor penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri) looking after its chick. Females lay a single egg in early winter which the males incubate for two months. The males huddle together for warmth, keeping their eggs off the ice by resting them on their toes. The females return around hatching time, and regurgitate food for their infant. The males, who do not eat during the incubation period, go off to feed. They eat fish and squid. This is the largest penguin, standing up to 120 centimetres tall. Photographed in Antarctica, the penguins sole habitat

© Art Wolfe/Science Photo Library