Why Do Some Animals Have Whiskers?
Can you imagine a cat or a rabbit without whiskers? A fox would look positively naked without them! But whiskers are not just there to...
Willy's Wilderness
Willy's Wilderness
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- Nov 23
- 3 min
Why Is Spider Silk So Sticky?
Have you ever walked face first into a spiderweb? If you have, you know how sticky they can be. That stickiness is useful for one of the...
- Nov 22
- 3 min
What Do Turtles Do in the Winter?
Through the spring, summer and even early fall we can find turtles out swimming or basking on logs, soaking up the sun. But now that...
- Oct 27
- 2 min
When the Leaves Fall, Squirrels' Homes Are Revealed
The leaves are falling, and soon all the branches will be bare. But wait. What are those messy bunches of leaves stuck in the corners?...
- Oct 21
- 3 min
Are Bugs and Insects the Same? Not Quite
What's bugging you? We might have something new for you to add to your list. It turns out bugs and insects aren't exactly the same. While...
- Oct 14
- 3 min
Learn To Read the Stories Our Trees Are Telling Us
Trees are great storytellers. We just have to know how to read their clues. Trees keep their stories hidden under a layer of bark. Not...
- Oct 4
- 3 min
See A Bird Looking a Little Funny? It's Likely Molting
If you've seen a bird looking a little worse than usual or maybe just a little out of sorts for its species, there's a good chance it's...
- Sep 23
- 3 min
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...
- Sep 20
- 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...