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Northern water snakes are common in northern Illinois and often seen sunning on rocks or swimming with just their heads above water. They are nonvenomous and harmless to people. Typically 1 to 2 feet long, they are brown or reddish with bands or blotches. These carnivores live in wetlands and eat fish, insects, amphibians, crayfish, and occasionally small mammals.

Animals share some surprising behaviors with humans. Some give gifts—like birds offering prey or spiders wrapping snacks in silk. Many sunbathe to warm up or remove parasites. Some grieve, like elephants and whales mourning lost loved ones. And many fiercely protect their young, from geese to octopi. While animals aren’t human, they deserve respect for both their differences and the ways they’re like us.

Though you would think to find most crustaceans living in streams and creeks, crayfish, Cambarus diogenes, can live in water deep beneath the soil. Crayfish build muddy towers above ground called “chimneys” that can be found in fields, yards and along streambanks. Our devil crayfish, cousins to the lobster, have hard exoskeletons that darkens from a clear coat to a reddish-brown color as they molt and grow. Devil crayfish play incredible roles in supporting life and ecosystem

Painted turtles are common and easy to recognize by the red and yellow markings on their heads, legs, and shells. Often seen basking in the sun on rocks or logs, this helps them warm up and remove leeches. They can live up to 35–40 years. Though they have no teeth, their jaw plates help grip food. They must eat in water and have a varied diet of plants, fish, insects, and crustaceans.

Chimney swifts are small, sooty gray birds that almost never stop flying - they even eat, drink, and bathe mid-air. They nest in chimneys and cling to vertical surfaces, like walls, instead of perching. Using their glue-like saliva to build their nests, both parents care for the young. Swifts can travel up to 500 miles and eat 12,000 insects a day! Their population is declining due to modern chimney designs, fewer nesting sites, and climate change.

If you find a bird that displays signs of being sick or hurt, contact a local wildlife rehabilitator. Otherwise, they are best left alone. In the meantime, gently move the bird to a safe place if possible. Do not give the bird any food or water. It is illegal to handle a migratory bird without a permit. When you come across an injured bird, do not intervene in any other way than to place it in a box with air holes and contact a licensed rehabilitator.

Lunar eclipses occur during full moons when the Earth - positioned between the sun and the moon – casts its shadow on the moon, making it appear red or a “blood moon.” There are three types: total, partial, and penumbral. Total eclipses are the most dramatic. Though once feared, eclipses are now predictable and happen at least twice a year. They won’t last forever, as the moon is slowly drifting away from Earth (about 1.5 inches per year), but they’ll continue for millions of

Their songs, tail, flight, and their red and yellow shoulder patches, formally known as epaulets, all help the red-winged blackbird communicate. Their epaulets’ vibrance comes with age and is important when defending their territory and attracting mates. They show less color when perched outside their territory. Females rely on their body language, such as posing in “song spread” and “wing flap”, to communicate. Red-winged blackbirds are territorial and will mob out larger pr

Bullfrogs are the largest frogs in the U.S. and get their name from their loud, deep call that sounds like a cow’s moo. Their “jug-o-rum” call can be heard from over half a mile away. Bullfrogs can leap up to 6 feet and prefer shallow water, often sitting at the edge until they hop in to escape danger.

Gray tree frogs can change color to blend in or regulate temperature and have markings like yellow thighs and blotchy skin. They live in trees, sing to attract mates and lay eggs in water. Tadpoles grow into froglets in 45 to 65 days, then climb trees using sticky toe pads. They eat insects, spiders and slugs and may visit windows for food. Though hard to spot, these camouflaged frogs are active at night and live up to nine years.

The eastern chipmunk, Illinois’ smallest ground squirrel, weighs 2 to 5 ounces and measures 8 to 12 inches long. Though tiny, they defend their territory by stomping and tail-waving. They live in forests, grasslands, and even yards, building burrows and nests both above and below ground.

Phenology is the study of natural seasons in relation to plants, animals, and climate. Temperature and amount of daylight are cues for plants and animals to determine when spring has arrived. Seeds need cold winters to thin out their outer shell, while mature plants rely on longer daylight to bloom. Some animals switch gears from winter to spring in relation to plant growth. Spring signals mating season and new life.

Crows are among the smartest birds, with problem-solving and communication skills like chimpanzees. They use and even make tools to catch food. Social by nature, they live in family groups and can recognize human faces. Crows may avoid or even hold grudges against people they distrust and have been known to leave gifts for those who feed them.

Blue jay feathers are not truly blue. They contain brown pigment, but light scattering makes them appear blue. Tiny air and keratin pockets in the feathers reflect blue light while absorbing other colors. This same effect happens in bluebirds, indigo buntings, and is also why the sky looks blue.

Woodchuck and groundhog are two names for the same animal, known for Groundhog Day on February 2. While they are not reliable weather predictors, they are excellent diggers. Their burrows can be up to 30 feet long and include tunnels, chambers and even separate areas for waste, much like bathrooms.

Great egrets, tall and elegant wading birds, are common in Will County from spring to fall. Once nearly extinct due to the fashion industry and feather trade, they’re now well populated and protected. Egrets are all-white with black legs and yellow bills and flash a green patch during breeding season. They eat fish, insects, reptiles, and more. They are solitary, but nest in colonies. Harshly, chicks may kill siblings when competing for resources.

Dandelions may seem like weeds, but they help loosen and aerate soil, benefiting other plants and lawns naturally. They’ve been used medicinally for centuries to treat ailments like toothaches and fevers. Plus, kids enjoy blowing their fluffy seed heads, spreading thousands of seeds. Despite their bad reputation, dandelions play a helpful role in nature and have long been part of fun childhood moments.

Snapping turtles are the largest turtles in northern Illinois. Known for their powerful bite, they are not aggressive but will defend themselves if threatened. These turtles spend most of their time underwater and eat both plants and animals. In spring, they come on land to lay eggs, which is when people are most likely to see them. If you spot one, give it space and observe from a distance.

River otters are playful animals often seen sliding on land and splashing into water. Their play helps young otters learn vital skills like hunting, swimming, and social bonding. Otter pups cannot swim at birth, so around 2 months old, their mothers gently push them into the water and supervise until they learn.

Great blue herons are tall, graceful birds found near shallow water in Will County. They stand up to 4.5 feet tall with 5.5-foot wingspans but weigh little due to hollow bones. Great blue herons spend up to 90% of their waking time hunting for fish and more with stealth and speed, and nest in large colonies high in trees. During nesting season (March–August), Lake Renwick Heron Rookery is closed to protect them, but you can still view them from Copley Nature Park or during sp