So what did we learn about the world in 2014? We learned that a comet can be caught, Richard III was a bastard, and neanderthals invented the paleo diet. We also learnt that…
Fish, such as dace do it,
Even lizards up in space do it,
Let’s do it, let’s – oh, but hang on, some snakes don’t do it, and yet they still get knocked up. How weird is that?

(Some links are included for stories you may have forgotten).

A robot was sent to a comet/

Intending to take samples from it/

The size of a fridge/

It sits on a ridge/

Like the cooker from Wallace & Gromit.

***

From studying Richard the Third/

Geneticists say they’ve inferred -/

Can you imagine it? -/

Secret Plantagenet/

Bed-hopping may have occurred.///
http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/dec/02/king-richard-iii-dna-cousins-queen-ancestry

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Some ancient Neanderthal poo/

Extends what we hitherto knew/

The hominid species,/

We learn from its faeces,/

Ate meat, but had vegetables too.
/// https://twitter.com/twitmericks/status/482285041561915392

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Some primitive fish in a lake/

Gave all evolution a break/

These fish with no necks/

Were first to have sex -/

They did it for everyone’s sake.///

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-29661446

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The Russians have lost any trace/

Of lizards canoodling in space/

They listen for echos/

Of cosmonaut geckos/

At work reproducing their race.///
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-28490744

***

A python who lives in Kentucky/

Got pregnant without getting lucky/

Contriving to make/

A wee baby snake/

With no mate and no ficky-fucky.///
http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/worlds-largest-snake-species-gives-virgin-birth-9818968.html