BBC Wildlife Magazine

STUCK ON YOU

The popular naturalist, author and TV presenter reveals a secret world of overlooked wildlife

A THIN DISC, TRANSPARENT AND smooth, beady black eyes gazing up at you from your pond net. Place it in water and it starts to animate, performing somersaults propelled by numerous limbs on its underside. What is this peculiar creature that looks like a well-sucked Jelly Tot come to life?

Out of context, the common) looks alien. It doesn’t fit the description of any of the usual freshwater creatures, and few freshwater field guides include the species.

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