Have you ever gone netting in a river or a pond, looking for tadpoles and minnows, only to scoop out a tiny catfish? You didn’t even have...

Have you ever woken up late at night and heard an eerie howl? Or have you been outside at dusk and a yip, yip, yiiiip broke through the...

The American badger is an always present but not often seen animal across Will County and much of Illinois. They are mostly nocturnal,...

If you are a hummingbird lover, you’re going to love the clearwing sphinx moths too. These critters look like a hummingbird, sound like a...

Did you know dragonflies swim? Not the adults – they’re the colorful flyers who zip around. We’re talking about younger dragonflies. They...

Chances are, if you’ve seen a snake in your yard it was a garter snake. That’s because the garter snake is the most common snake in...

Have you ever walked along the trail or in your own garden and noticed a big glob of spit on a plant? Well, it wasn’t left by a human; it...

The bluegill is the state fish of Illinois. It is one of the most common fish in our rivers, lakes and ponds. They are also a popular...

Blue isn’t a very popular color in the animal kingdom. When we think of blue animals, a few birds usually come to mind: blue jays, great...

To fly without wings takes guts. Would you do it? Of course not! But it’s something flying squirrels do every night as they glide through...

Bobcats live throughout our state, although they are much more common in the southern counties of Illinois. No matter where they live,...

Illinois was once home to one of the most interesting and confusing animals — the Tullimonstrum gregarium, known as the Tully monster....

The striped skunk is one of the most recognizable mammals in our area. They are known for their signature black and white stripes and...

Springtime brings in new life all around. Frogs call out from the wetlands, songbirds sing from the treetops and wildflowers break...

There are many signs that spring has sprung, and one of the loudest is a tiny little frog known as the spring peeper. This frog is very...

Have your parents or your teachers ever told you you’re acting squirrelly? They mean you’re being a little hyper or overactive. The word,...

Three different species of swans call Will County home at least for a little while each year. Swans are large white birds with long...

Looking for signs of life in February? Check out a bird feeder or look out the window. You’ll be delighted to see all kinds of birds...

The sight of a deer in the distance often makes us stop in our tracks to admire these creatures from afar. But be still and quiet,...

Did you know the animated cartoon character Woody the Woodpecker shares many of the same characteristics as a pileated woodpecker? Better...