Willy's Wilderness

Mar 17
2 min

Armies of Frogs and Rafts of Otters: Groups of Animals Go By Many Names

Animals really don’t care what we call them. We could call them Bob, and it wouldn’t make any difference in their lives. But we humans...

Mar 14
3 min

Why Are Some Animals Nocturnal?

Just as you are getting ready for bed, many animals are just waking up, ready to start their day in the dark. And it’s not just owls that...

Feb 17
3 min

Not All Animals Are Red-Blooded Like We Are

Our blood runs red, which makes humans about the same as all the other vertebrates in the animal kingdom. But as it turns out, not all...

Feb 3
5 min

No Fridge, No Problem: Animals Store Food Too

When you are hungry and open your cold refrigerator, what do you see? Maybe fruits, vegetables, milk, leftovers from last night’s dinner...

Jan 31
3 min

Mouse or Rat? What's the Difference Anyway?

Unless you keep them as pets, the sight of a mouse or rat in your home is probably very unexpected. And while we may lump mice and rats...

Jan 20
3 min

Do Animals Go Bald Like Humans?

Hair, or a lack of hair, is a part of our identity. It can be part of our culture, and it's part of what distinguishes us from other...

Jan 13
3 min

Why Is the Sky Blue? The Science of Light

Our mind is a muscle. Curiosity makes our brains stronger and sharper, so never stop asking why. One of the first questions you may have...

Dec 30, 2022
3 min

How Do Trees Survive Winter?

Trees are always present in our landscapes, a familiar comfort as they change with the seasons. Through it all, they endure the most...

Dec 23, 2022
2 min

Can It Be Too Cold To Snow? Not Really

It’s supposed to be cold in winter, but when it’s colder than normal, it’s often said that the tradeoff for the cold temperatures is that...

Dec 16, 2022
6 min

10 Wild Facts About Our Beloved Birds

It makes sense that so many humans would feel such a fondness for birds, because the avian world is so vast. And with more than 10,000...

Dec 6, 2022
4 min

Bison or Buffalo? What's the Difference?

Some of our most patriotic songs paint a beautiful picture of America past and present. "America the Beautiful" reminds us of our...

Dec 1, 2022
3 min

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...

Nov 23, 2022
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, 2022
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, 2022
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, 2022
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, 2022
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, 2022
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, 2022
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, 2022
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...