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About Rachael Funnell

Rachael Funnell

Rachael Funnell

Senior Science Writer

About the Author

Rachael is a writer and zoologist with a degree from the University of Southampton, specializing in animal behavior, evolution, palaeontology, and the environment. As a producer for CURIOUS Live, IFLScience's virtual event, she has led engaging discussions on forensic pathology, taphonomy, entomology, and botany on the Death Stage, with further events scheduled for 2025. As co-editor of CURIOUS, IFLScience’s e-magazine, Rachael crafts travel features exploring the science behind Earth’s most fascinating habitats and landmarks, and dives into the latest sci-fi TV, films, and books. She is also a host on the Break It Down, We Have Questions, and The Big Questions podcasts, and produces and presents video content for YouTube and social media.

Read IFLScience Editorial Policy

ACADEMIC HISTORY

Southampton University, BSc Zoology , 2014

TIME AT IFLSCIENCE

2020 - PRESENT

3,151 PUBLISHED ARTICLES

LOCATION

London

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

AnimalsEvolutionPalaeontology Funerary practiceForensics
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Latest from Rachael Funnell

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200,000 Barrels Of Radioactive Waste Were Dumped In The Atlantic. Decades Later, We’re Finally Learning What Happens When They Leaka barrel on the seafloor has big holes and animals growing on it

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200,000 Barrels Of Radioactive Waste Were Dumped In The Atlantic. Decades Later, We’re Finally Learning What Happens When They Leaka barrel on the seafloor has big holes and animals growing on it
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200,000 Barrels Of Radioactive Waste Were Dumped In The Atlantic. Decades Later, We’re Finally Learning What Happens When They Leak

clock-icon12 hours ago

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In 2017, Scientists Journeyed 1,500 Meters Below The Sea In Search Of A Shipwreck. Instead, They Found A Bunch Of Washing Machinesan rov scanning the dark waters along the seabed finds square shapes in the distance

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In 2017, Scientists Journeyed 1,500 Meters Below The Sea In Search Of A Shipwreck. Instead, They Found A Bunch Of Washing Machinesan rov scanning the dark waters along the seabed finds square shapes in the distance
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In 2017, Scientists Journeyed 1,500 Meters Below The Sea In Search Of A Shipwreck. Instead, They Found A Bunch Of Washing Machines

clock-icon12 hours ago

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The World’s Most Intelligent Octopuses Have A Molecular Quirk That Could Help Explain How Their Brains Increase 100-Fold In Their Lifetimesa coconut octopus uses a shell for camouflage/shelter

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The World’s Most Intelligent Octopuses Have A Molecular Quirk That Could Help Explain How Their Brains Increase 100-Fold In Their Lifetimesa coconut octopus uses a shell for camouflage/shelter
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The World’s Most Intelligent Octopuses Have A Molecular Quirk That Could Help Explain How Their Brains Increase 100-Fold In Their Lifetimes

clock-icon13 hours ago

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Why The Internet Thinks Robert Pattinson Is “Obsessed” With Bracelet-Wearing Moss Balls That Move In Herdsa herd of glacier mice with a sticker of robert pattinson in a heart stuck over the top

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Why The Internet Thinks Robert Pattinson Is “Obsessed” With Bracelet-Wearing Moss Balls That Move In Herdsa herd of glacier mice with a sticker of robert pattinson in a heart stuck over the top
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Why The Internet Thinks Robert Pattinson Is “Obsessed” With Bracelet-Wearing Moss Balls That Move In Herds

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Scientists Got Clownfish To Watch A VR Horror Movie – Their Reaction Revealed How Artificial Light At Night Changes Their Physiologya clownfish head-on looks very frightened

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Scientists Got Clownfish To Watch A VR Horror Movie – Their Reaction Revealed How Artificial Light At Night Changes Their Physiologya clownfish head-on looks very frightened
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Scientists Got Clownfish To Watch A VR Horror Movie – Their Reaction Revealed How Artificial Light At Night Changes Their Physiology

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Antarctic Krill Fishing Season Fills Quota Months Early For Second Year Running, Raising Fears Intensive Fishing Is Putting Ecosystems At Riska group of penguins scattered across a beach in Antarctica

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Antarctic Krill Fishing Season Fills Quota Months Early For Second Year Running, Raising Fears Intensive Fishing Is Putting Ecosystems At Riska group of penguins scattered across a beach in Antarctica
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Antarctic Krill Fishing Season Fills Quota Months Early For Second Year Running, Raising Fears Intensive Fishing Is Putting Ecosystems At Risk

clock-icon2 days ago

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The Shark In The “Jaws” Movie Poster? Yeah, Not A Great White. The Real Specimen Behind The Illustration Was An Entirely Different Beasta photo of a shortfin mako next to that of a great white shark

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The Shark In The “Jaws” Movie Poster? Yeah, Not A Great White. The Real Specimen Behind The Illustration Was An Entirely Different Beasta photo of a shortfin mako next to that of a great white shark
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The Shark In The “Jaws” Movie Poster? Yeah, Not A Great White. The Real Specimen Behind The Illustration Was An Entirely Different Beast

clock-icon2 days ago
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In Defense Of The Mola Mola, Arguably The World’s Worst Fish – But Maybe Also The Best Fish?mola mola's comically panicked face as it's launched out of the water in a sea lion attack

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In Defense Of The Mola Mola, Arguably The World’s Worst Fish – But Maybe Also The Best Fish?mola mola's comically panicked face as it's launched out of the water in a sea lion attack
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In Defense Of The Mola Mola, Arguably The World’s Worst Fish – But Maybe Also The Best Fish?

clock-icon2 days ago
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Mantis Shrimp Are The Only Known Animals To See This Kind Of Light, And They Use It To Send Secret Signals Without Alerting Predatorsa mantis shrimp sits in among some rocks, it is very colorful with giant eyes

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Mantis Shrimp Are The Only Known Animals To See This Kind Of Light, And They Use It To Send Secret Signals Without Alerting Predatorsa mantis shrimp sits in among some rocks, it is very colorful with giant eyes
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Mantis Shrimp Are The Only Known Animals To See This Kind Of Light, And They Use It To Send Secret Signals Without Alerting Predators

clock-iconAugust 21, 2026

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Michigan, A Last Refuge For A Butterfly On The Brink, Announces It’s Saved A Species From Extinction. Welcome Back, Poweshiek Skipperlingsa close-up of the poweshiek skipperling butterfly, it has a very fuzzy body and short antennae

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Michigan, A Last Refuge For A Butterfly On The Brink, Announces It’s Saved A Species From Extinction. Welcome Back, Poweshiek Skipperlingsa close-up of the poweshiek skipperling butterfly, it has a very fuzzy body and short antennae
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Michigan, A Last Refuge For A Butterfly On The Brink, Announces It’s Saved A Species From Extinction. Welcome Back, Poweshiek Skipperlings

clock-iconAugust 20, 2026

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Clues Hidden In Ancient Egyptian Princesses’ Remains Show They Were “Active Ritual Agents,” Hunters, And Enforcers Of Divine Ordera dagger with an ornate blue handle and a row of arrows

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Clues Hidden In Ancient Egyptian Princesses’ Remains Show They Were “Active Ritual Agents,” Hunters, And Enforcers Of Divine Ordera dagger with an ornate blue handle and a row of arrows
FEATURE
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Clues Hidden In Ancient Egyptian Princesses’ Remains Show They Were “Active Ritual Agents,” Hunters, And Enforcers Of Divine Order

clock-iconAugust 19, 2026

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How Does A Lion Cub Become King? We Spoke To The Makers Of New Docuseries “Lion” About A Record-Breaking Journey In The Maasai Maraa lion cub looks into the distance

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How Does A Lion Cub Become King? We Spoke To The Makers Of New Docuseries “Lion” About A Record-Breaking Journey In The Maasai Maraa lion cub looks into the distance
EXCLUSIVE
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How Does A Lion Cub Become King? We Spoke To The Makers Of New Docuseries “Lion” About A Record-Breaking Journey In The Maasai Mara

clock-iconAugust 19, 2026

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South America Was Once Home To Megapiranha, Predatory Fish With A Bite Force That Outchomped Megalodona close up of a piranha with jaws open showing sharp teeth, it has a very red/orange eye

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South America Was Once Home To Megapiranha, Predatory Fish With A Bite Force That Outchomped Megalodona close up of a piranha with jaws open showing sharp teeth, it has a very red/orange eye
nature-iconanimals

South America Was Once Home To Megapiranha, Predatory Fish With A Bite Force That Outchomped Megalodon

clock-iconAugust 18, 2026

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Frog That "Gave Birth” Out Of Its Mouth Went Extinct In 1983. Could The "Lazarus Project" Bring It Back With A 40-Year-Old Frozen Specimen?a froglet can be seen crawling out of the mouth of an adult gastric-brooding frog

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Frog That "Gave Birth” Out Of Its Mouth Went Extinct In 1983. Could The "Lazarus Project" Bring It Back With A 40-Year-Old Frozen Specimen?a froglet can be seen crawling out of the mouth of an adult gastric-brooding frog
nature-iconanimals

Frog That "Gave Birth” Out Of Its Mouth Went Extinct In 1983. Could The "Lazarus Project" Bring It Back With A 40-Year-Old Frozen Specimen?

clock-iconAugust 18, 2026

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A Bomb Is Dropped In The Indonesian Ocean Once Every 62 Minutes, Destroying Coral Reefs. Now New Tech Could Help End “Blast Fishing”the shattered remains of a coral reef are littered across the dead sea floor, very little signs of life

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A Bomb Is Dropped In The Indonesian Ocean Once Every 62 Minutes, Destroying Coral Reefs. Now New Tech Could Help End “Blast Fishing”the shattered remains of a coral reef are littered across the dead sea floor, very little signs of life
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A Bomb Is Dropped In The Indonesian Ocean Once Every 62 Minutes, Destroying Coral Reefs. Now New Tech Could Help End “Blast Fishing”

clock-iconAugust 17, 2026