Willy's Wilderness

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May 15
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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...

Jan 31
2 min

Caterpillars In Winter? Woolly Bears Are Built For Cold

We don’t often see caterpillars in late fall or winter, but woolly bear caterpillars are an exception. These fuzzy brown- and black-bande...

Jan 21
2 min

Illinois Is Rich With Wildlife Diversity

The Forest Preserve District of Will County has been preserving and restoring habitats and protecting the diversity of species in this co...

Jan 17
3 min

Full Moon Making You Act A Little Crazy? Think Again

Have you ever heard your teacher or parents say, “It must be a full moon,” as an explanation for your (or your classmates’ or siblings’) ...

Jan 7
3 min

Bears In Illinois? Not Today, But Once Upon A Time

If you could hop in a time machine and travel back to 1720, you would see black bears roaming around Illinois. These animals were special...

Dec 31, 2019
2 min

The Bird You See Outside? It's a Modern-Day Dinosaur

Have you ever visited the Field Museum and stood in awe of the huge dinosaur skeletons on display? The most famous of the museum’s dinosa...

Dec 19, 2019
3 min

The Reason for the Seasons: The Solstice

Do you love all the different seasons? Do you enjoy jumping in a pile of leaves in fall, sledding down a snow-covered hill in winter, sme...

Dec 10, 2019
2 min

What's An Owl Pellet? Not Poop, For Starters

Owls are majestic but also mysterious, not often seen because they are most often active at night. The darkness of the night gives them g...

Dec 3, 2019
2 min

How Do Deer Antlers Grow?

Have you ever seen a deer with a large set of antlers and wondered how they grew so big? A deer’s antlers can grow very quickly. They are...

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