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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

You can crush pop cans using air pressure in this science experiment. Heat a small amount of water in a pop can until water vapor appears. Quickly flip and dunk the can into a bowl of iced water and watch it implode! The water vapor condenses, creating low pressure inside the can. Since there is more external pressure than internal pressure, the can collapses towards its center. It’s a dramatic example of how powerful air pressure is. Be sure to have adult help and safety gea

Beavers are skilled builders that modify their habitat by building dams and lodges. Dams create ponds, which serve as homes for beavers and benefit many other species. Lodges have underwater entrances and dry living areas above water. Beavers are considered a keystone species because their presence supports a wide range of plant and animal life in the ecosystem.

Spot the blue creature at Plum Creek Nature Center is a blue-spotted salamander not a lizard. While lizards and salamanders look similar lizards have dry scales and claws while salamanders have smooth moist skin and no claws. Salamanders live near water and go through a larval stage while lizard babies hatch as tiny adults. Spot has smooth skin and no claws which confirms it is a salamander not a lizard.

Cases of discoloration can be caused by genetic mutations like albinism or leucism, where an animal appears to be either completely or partially white rather than its normal color, or melanism, a condition that causes fur to be black. However, it is normal for some animals like coyotes, birds and red foxes to have multiple color variations, where color can very from an animal’s most common color or between males and females. Mistaken IDs are more common than an animal being t

White-tailed deer are the only Illinois animals that grow antlers, and only males grow them. Antlers fall off each winter and regrow, sometimes growing a quarter-inch a day. Deer are related to elk, moose and caribou, which also grow antlers. Elk antlers can grow an inch daily, and moose can grow a pound of antler tissue a day. Caribou are unique because both males and females grow antlers.

Male cardinals are bright red while females are pale brown with red highlights. Their red beaks and tinges of red on their crests, wings, and tails help tell them apart. Cardinals are easy to spot and well loved. Seven states including Illinois have named the cardinal their state bird.

Opossums play dead when threatened by lying still with their teeth showing for minutes or even hours. Before that, they may hiss, growl, and show their teeth. This behavior is not a choice but an automatic response, similar to fainting in humans.

Those spinning helicopters you see each spring are called samaras, the seeds of maple trees. Their winged shape helps them gently whirl to the ground. Norway, red, and silver maples produce the most. They’re fun to toss in the air and watch spin, and if conditions are right, they can even grow into new maple trees.