How Do Birds Sleep? Probably Not Like You Think
When you think of birds sleeping the night away, do you picture them cozied up in their nests? It would seem to make sense that they...
Willy's Wilderness
Willy's Wilderness
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- 6 days ago
- 3 min
Queen Anne’s Lace Vs. Poison Hemlock: Poison or Not?
At this time of year, you can see lots of lacy white flowers growing on the side of the road. It’s Queen Anne’s lace! Or is it? It turns...
- Sep 13
- 3 min
Little Lobsters? Crayfish Are a Close Relative
Of course we don’t have lobsters here in landlocked Will County, but don’t be surprised if you see what looks like a miniature version in...
- Sep 6
- 4 min
How Do Birds Help Us? Let Us Count the Ways
Birds are beloved by many for the joy they bring to our lives. From shorebirds along our waterways to raptors soaring overhead to...
- Sep 2
- 3 min
Snails, Slugs Are Animal Kingdom's True Slowpokes
Turtles aren't going to set any land-speed records, but they've got nothing on snails and slugs when it comes to creeping along at a...
- Aug 26
- 3 min
What's the Difference Between a Lake and Pond?
When does a pond become a lake? It may surprise you to know there is no technical difference between lakes and ponds. However, there is a...
- Aug 19
- 2 min
Why Do Cacti Have Spines? For Several Reasons
When thinking about a cactus, the first thing that comes to mind is often their sharp spines. Those spines are a great warning to not...
- Aug 5
- 3 min
How Do Animals Beat the Heat on Hot Days?
When heat and humidity combine to make the great outdoors a little unpleasant, it's good to know we can escape to the cool comfort of...
- Jul 8
- 3 min
Can a Worm Really Regenerate When Cut in Two?
Have you ever heard that if a worm gets cut in two, it will regenerate, creating two worms instead of just one? It turns out this isn't...
- Jul 5
- 2 min
When Conditions Are Right, Glitter Can Appear on the Water
Sunlight and water together can give us many striking and beautiful phenomena: fantastic rainbows, magnificent halos around the sun and...
- Jun 21
- 5 min
Animals Are Just Like Humans? In Some Ways, Yes
Animals are just like us? Yes and no. Humans are animals, after all, and all of us have the same basic needs: food, water, oxygen and...
- Jun 16
- 3 min
Some Animals Thrive As City Dwellers
Cities are just for people, right? Wrong. Nature is all around us, even in places with sidewalks and buildings. Species that benefit from...
- Jun 14
- 3 min
Can It Really Rain Cats and Dogs?
You’ve probably heard the expression “it’s raining cats and dogs” and know it isn’t a literal saying. Cats and dogs aren’t really raining...
- May 24
- 4 min
How Can You Tell When a Bird Needs Help?
It’s a question that comes up often. People find a bird that might be injured and wonder what to do. The answer depends on several...
- May 13
- 5 min
Five Fast Facts About Lunar Eclipses
The night sky is awe-inspiring, even more so when something out of the ordinary, like a lunar eclipse, happens. Total lunar eclipses...
- May 3
- 3 min
How Do Plants and Animals Know It's Spring?
Take a look outside. Birds are chirping, tree leaves are budding, the grass is turning green again. It’s spring! But how do plants and...
- Apr 19
- 3 min
Take Up a Cause and Be An Environmental Hero
Have you ever looked at some part of the world and thought, “Gosh, this really stinks! When I am old enough, I am going to do something...
- Apr 1
- 5 min
Why Animals Are Sometimes the Wrong Color
Animals are one of the first things we learn about as kids. We learn that cows moo, lions roar and frogs ribbit. We learn about farm...
- Mar 18
- 2 min
Why Do Beavers Have Orange Teeth?
Beavers chomp through trees with bright orange front teeth. Are beavers just forgetting to brush? Your dentist might not be happy to see...
- Mar 15
- 3 min
Stop Hating on Spiders; They're Important Too
Some animals don’t get much respect from people, and spiders are one of those creatures. Just like other animals with more than four...