Willy's Wilderness

Feb 12, 2021
3 min

Why Are Woodpeckers So Noisy? They Have A Lot To Say

While walking in the preserves, you may find yourself listening to the sounds around you. You might hear noises like the wind rustling...

Jan 29, 2021
2 min

No Two Snowflakes Are Alike? It's Actually True

Snowflakes are like fingerprints; as the saying goes, no two are alike. But how is it possible that every snowflake is unique when so...

Jan 19, 2021
3 min

What's In An Animal's Scientific Name?

Is that a basswood tree or a linden tree? A coot or a mud duck? A crawdaddy or a crayfish? All are correct names for the same species....

Jan 12, 2021
3 min

Myth Buster: Dogs' Mouths Aren't Cleaner Than Ours

People often say that dogs’ mouths are cleaner than humans’, but that isn’t really true. A dog's mouth isn't necessarily cleaner than a...

Dec 28, 2020
2 min

When Is A Snowstorm Something More?

Do you get excited when you hear snow is headed our way? Will there be a snow day? Will we get enough snow to make a snowman or have a...

Dec 11, 2020
2 min

Deer Sport Puffy Coats To Keep Them Warm in Winter

We see deer all winter long. How are they not freezing when the temperatures dip down, down, down? White-tailed deer are adapted to deal...

Dec 8, 2020
2 min

What's The Difference: Turtle Vs. Tortoise

Turtles and tortoises are some of the slowpokes of the animal kingdom. That’s why their shells are so important. They can’t outrun...

Nov 23, 2020
2 min

Why Is Blue So Rare in the Animal Kingdom?

Quick. Name all the blue animals you can think of. What did you come up with? A blue jay? Maybe a bluebird or an indigo bunting? Did you...

Nov 19, 2020
2 min

How Do Snakes Survive Winter? By Hiding Away in a Cozy Place

Fall is a busy time for animals. Some are migrating to warmer places. Others are growing heavy fur coats to stay warm during the colder...

Nov 17, 2020
3 min

Myth Buster: Woolly Bear Caterpillars Don't Predict Winter Weather

Have you ever been told that woolly bear caterpillars can tell you how bad winter will be? These caterpillars are the fuzzy...

Oct 27, 2020
2 min

How Do Beavers Hold Their Breath For So Long?

Have you ever held your breath for as long as you could while swimming and then burst above the surface gasping for air? How long did you...

Oct 15, 2020
2 min

Plants Have Many Ways To Spread Their Seeds

Plants may be rooted into the ground, but to be successful their seeds need to spread far and wide. New plants will grow away from the...

Oct 1, 2020
3 min

What's The Difference: Frog Vs. Toad

Don't know the difference between a frog and a toad? You aren't alone. Frogs and toads are both amphibians, but they are separate...

Sep 18, 2020
2 min

Myth Buster: There's No Such Thing As Heat Lightning

Have you ever seen lightning way off in the distance and been told that it is heat lightning? In truth, heat lightning does not really...

Sep 8, 2020
2 min

Why Do Snakes Shed Their Skin?

Snakes are unique in the animal kingdom for many reasons. One of those reasons is their ability to shed their skin in one piece. We don't...

Sep 3, 2020
3 min

The Wide World of Spider Webs

It’s spider season! Spiders are becoming adults, so they are easier to spot at this time of year. Even if you don’t see a spider itself,...

Aug 28, 2020
3 min

What's The Difference: Is That A Bee Or A Wasp?

Is that a bee buzzing around your yard, moving from flower to flower? It very well could be, but it could also be a wasp. Bees and wasps...

Aug 18, 2020
2 min

Myth Buster: Bats Aren't Really Blind

Has anyone ever told you you’re as blind as a bat? It turns out it isn’t much of an insult, because bats aren’t really blind. Bats...

Aug 13, 2020
2 min

Why Do Flowers Smell Good?

Do you love to stop and smell the roses? Or any other flower for that matter? Many people love the fragrance of flowers, but the sweet...

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’...