Somehow, no matter how wild or many-tentacled, the alien life-forms dreamed up in science fiction just can’t compete with Mother Nature. The striking pictures with this week’s Inside Story are not artists’ impressions, but magnified images of real beasts that share our planet. The world just beneath your feet is teeming with creatures purposefully going about their business - and it’s pretty important business (page 8). All Creatures Great and Small fans and young would-be vets will enjoy the winner of this week’s funniest picture prize (page 31).