Endemic: Exploring the wildlife unique to Britain

by Mr James Harding-Morris

Meet the rare, obscure and utterly British species found nowhere else on earth.

Around 70,000 species call Britain home, but how many of them can be found here and only here? Join conservationist James Harding-Morris as he uncovers the stories of our endemic wildlife – the plants, animals and fungi that are unique to these islands.

Determined to give these irreplaceable species their moment in the spotlight, James goes in search of them across the length and breadth of Britain, from wild and rugged Orkney, the only known location for the Orkney vole, down to suburban Plymouth where the horrid ground-weaver spider faces global extinction at the hands of developers. He seeks out alien fungi on the roadsides of Norfolk, explores Devon's depths in the hunt for ghostly cave shrimps, and traces the tribulations of interrupted brome, a grass that has gone extinct not once, but twice.

Along the way, James meets the experts devoted to the study and survival of these vanishingly rare creatures and plants, individuals working tirelessly – and often single-handedly – to save them from the brink of global extinction. Because many of these species are at risk of disappearing forever, before most of us have even realised they exist.

A tapestry of wonder and weirdness, tragedies and triumphs, Endemic celebrates what makes our natural history so special and calls on us all to cherish and protect it.

Genres: Nonfiction, Nature

336 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 7, 2025

Reviews

[Africa GOMEZ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've had the pleasure to join James in some adventures before this book. He's great company, an outstanding naturalist. You'll never leave his presence before learning obscure facts or interesting details on particular species, or meeting new ones, that appear to turn up from his sleeve as if by magic. I can say now that he's also a very engaging writer. This book reads as an adventure book, a road trip around Britain to meet a bunch of species that are known from nowhere else on earth. James conveys an intense passion for these often tiny plants and animals and encourages everyone to try to discover, love and nurture all the wild things.

[Stephen Dunstan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent read from an original UK nature writing perspective. It reminded me a lot of Black Ops and Beaver Bombing about Britain's mammals, in that it conveyed the author's enthusiasm but was also well researched, very readable and in places really quite funny as well.

My only criticism would be that the author mentions he didn't have space for other British endemic species. Given that he could have perhaps put his own fascination with white beam trees and covered more breadth of nature.

[Ellie (bookmadbarlow) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting read about Endemic species in Britain, I could feel the authors passion coming through the pages.
Each chapter covered a different plant / animal etc and where the author went to find it.
It was fascinating to read, but I do feel that a few photos in the book could have helped with some of the explanations.

[Sarah Patton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that is staying on the shelf for another read. A fascinating trip through some of the endemic species of Britain written with and entertaining and engaging style.

[Jack Woodman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed learning about Britain’s unique wildlife. I enjoyed that it felt like a linear story/experience rather than a list and explanation of each endemic species.