Willy's Wilderness

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Aug 6, 2020
3 min

The Sounds of Summer: How Do Insects Sing?

Birds are famous for their songs, and even frogs get some credit for a springtime chorus. Summertime is the season where the insects’ son...

Jul 28, 2020
2 min

Myth Buster: Opossums Don't Hang By Their Tails

Opossums have some well-known unusual behaviors, but spending long periods hanging by their tails isn't something they really do. It's a ...

Jul 14, 2020
3 min

Wet Grass In the Morning Might Be From Dew Not Rain

Have you ever woken up in the morning and wondered if it rained overnight because the grass was so wet? Sometimes it isn't rain at all, b...

Jun 16, 2020
4 min

How Old Is That Tree? Learn How To Tell With Simple Math

Have you ever looked at a giant tree and wondered just how old it is? Some are so large that you can’t even wrap your arms around them. T...

Jun 12, 2020
2 min

Myth Buster: Snakes Aren't Slimy

Snakes get a bad rap because many people don’t like them. Adding to this dislike is that some people think snakes are slimy, but that cou...

Jun 9, 2020
2 min

Can You ID The Frog? Bullfrog vs. Green Frog

Now that the weather is warming up, chances are you will start to see more frogs at ponds and creeks. One of the popular questions we hea...

Jun 2, 2020
2 min

Why Do Worms Surface When It Rains?

Have you ever walked outside after it rains and noticed the sidewalks and pavement are covered in worms? Scientists don't fully understan...

May 19, 2020
3 min

It's OK To Handle A Baby Bird, But Many Don't Need Help

Has anyone ever told you never to touch a baby bird if you find one on the ground? It’s commonly said that humans shouldn’t touch baby bi...

May 15, 2020
3 min

Birds Can Really Belt Out A Tune. Learn How They Do It

Birds have amazing voices. We hear them sing often in spring, trying to attract a mate or defending their nests. They can chirp, call or ...

Apr 28, 2020
3 min

Where Does Fog Come From?

Have you ever looked out the window on an otherwise clear day and wondered where the fog suddenly came from? Or only been able to see the...

Apr 21, 2020
2 min

Yes, Lightning Can Strike The Same Place Twice

The idea that lightning won't strike the same place twice is a dangerous myth. Lightning can — and does — strike the same place more than...

Apr 16, 2020
2 min

Eyes To The Skies For The Lyrid Meteor Shower

You don’t always need screens or stages to see a great show. In fact, sometimes you need the opposite. No electronics and no lights, just...

Apr 7, 2020
2 min

Why Don't Woodpeckers Get Brain Damage?

Have you ever seen a woodpecker hammering away at a tree? The constant sound can be awe-inducing or annoying, depending on what you are d...

Mar 31, 2020
2 min

Reptile or Amphibian? What's The Difference Anyway?

Is a frog a reptile or an amphibian? How about a snake or a salamander? Reptiles and amphibians share some similarities, so which species...

Mar 27, 2020
3 min

Even Centuries Ago, When You Had To Go, You Had To Go

Walking around your neighborhood, school yard or forest preserve, you might find evidence of animals even if you don’t actually see them....

Mar 20, 2020
2 min

If You Use Moss As A Compass, You May Get Lost

Have you ever heard that moss only grows on the north side of trees? It’s an old myth that probably started as a way to help people navig...

Mar 13, 2020
2 min

Marsupials Have Pouches To Keep Their Babies Safe

Have you ever seen a photo of a kangaroo with a joey — a baby kangaroo — in its pouch? Isn’t it cute? Kangaroos aren’t the only animals w...

Mar 10, 2020
3 min

Illinois' State Symbols Include Wildlife We Love

Illinois has voted on many different symbols over the years. Most of these were voted on by schoolchildren. A symbol is something that re...

Feb 13, 2020
2 min

No, Touching A Frog Won't Give You Warts

Has anyone ever told you you’ll get warts on your hands if you pick up a frog or toad? If it sounds a little far-fetched, that's because ...

Feb 4, 2020
2 min

Why Do Animals Have Fur?

Close your eyes and picture these animals: a squirrel, a coyote, a deer and a beaver. These animals are all different sizes, eat differen...

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