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Factual: Science & Nature: Nature & Environment

Nature that has had a profound impact on human culture and society across history.

Nature that has got under our skin and profoundly impacted human culture and society across our history.

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Natural Histories: Louse

Louse

BBC Radio 4 - Natural Histories, Louse

Brett Westwood explores our relationship with one of our closest neighbours, the louse.

Lice have been amongst our closest neighbours since our earliest evolution, and yet as Brett Westwood discovers, they both repel and fascinate us.

They infest our bodies and our clothes, are amongst our closet neighbours, have been made famous by Robert Burns and yet they are only a few millimetres in size. Brett Westwood explores our relationship with the louse; a creature that has lived alongside since our earliest evolution. Whether it's the head, clothes or crab lice these ancient creatures both repel and fascinate us. 

Originally broadcast in a longer form on 29th August 2017

Original Producer Sarah Blunt.

Archive Producer : Andrew Dawes

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