The UK boasts not only a long history and picturesque landscapes, but also amazing animals whose sizes and characteristics have earned them a place in the Guinness Book of Records. These living legends live among us, and their stories deserve a special telling. Meet Derrick and Bambu, two donkeys from Lincolnshire who have become true international stars. They live at the Radcliffe Donkey Sanctuary in Huttoft, which has been caring for dozens of rescued animals since 1999.<\/p>\n
At an incredible 167 centimeters tall, Derrick is officially recognized as the tallest donkey in the world. This is 20 centimeters taller than the average for his species. Sanctuary owner Tracy Garton smiles as she explains that no one believes Derrick is a donkey: “Everyone thinks he’s a mule, he’s that big.” Despite his enormous size, Derrick is known as a “gentle giant”\u2014affectionate, sociable, and, as it turns out, with an extreme sweet tooth, especially gingerbread cookies. He eats up to 200 kilograms of hay a week.<\/p>\n
Derrick’s stallmate, the charming Bambu, earned his title for having the longest ears. At 35 centimeters long, he’s a favorite among visitors to the sanctuary. Volunteers say Bambu is the most popular pet, with guests constantly asking about him. His long ears aren’t just decorative; they also serve an important function: they help regulate his body temperature and detect sounds. Tracy Garton humorously notes that sometimes it seems as if he can’t hear anything even with his ears so long. The sanctuary staff’s joy at having two of their charges included in the 2026 Guinness Book of World Records is hard to overstate. “It’s fantastic,” they say. “We’re delighted that Derrick and Bambu’s popularity will help more people learn about our sanctuary and help other animals.” Radcliffe Donkey Sanctuary, which relies on donkeys, cares not only for donkeys but also for mules and even rare zebra-donkey hybrids called zonkeys. Visitors can meet the record-breakers in person, treat them to carrots, or even symbolically “adopt” one.<\/p>\n
But Britain is famous for more than just the tallest donkeys and longest ears. In 2024, a creature dubbed a “mermaid” by locals was discovered on the Norfolk coast. While walking along Clay Beach, 29-year-old Katherine Sabbarton-Wright stumbled upon something unusual: a creature with a furry body, a dog-like head, strikingly sharp teeth, and fins. It was the size of a large deer or a small cow.<\/p>\n
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The mysterious discovery sparked a wave of discussion. Katherine contacted her sister, a veterinarian, and posted photos in a naturalist Facebook group. Theories ranged from a monk seal to a beached porpoise, but one user suggested the most astonishing: a “mermaid.” This story reminds us that the seas around Britain are still full of mysteries, and even washed-up remains can baffle scientists.<\/p>\n
Another astonishing discovery occurred in Cambridgeshire, when Brian Eversham, head of Wildlife Trust, discovered a creature in a pasture that British biologists have dubbed “the strangest living thing in the world.” It’s a 60-eyed flatworm measuring just 12 millimeters in length. Remarkably, this invertebrate, which has no close relatives in the UK, was found in a location thought to be thoroughly explored.<\/p>\n
Invertebrate biologist Hugh Jones confirmed that his colleague had indeed discovered the previously unknown species. This discovery challenges the common belief that Britain has been thoroughly explored. This 60-eyed worm has no close relatives in either Scotland or Northern Ireland\u2014it is completely unique to the British Isles.<\/p>\n
These stories\u2014from record-breaking donkeys to mysterious worms\u2014remind us that the natural world around us is full of amazing creatures, many of which are still waiting to be discovered. Whether it’s visitors to a Lincolnshire nature reserve who can see world-record holders firsthand, or scientists discovering new worms in pastures, each of us can experience wonder. And perhaps it’s this sense of wonder and awe that will fuel our desire to protect our unique fauna.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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