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What looks like a lizard but isn't? A salamander. Although salamanders share some physical characteristics with lizards, they have plenty of differences. They aren't even closely related.

Birds migrate, bats migrate, creatures of the oceans migrate, but did you know insects also migrate? Not all insects migrate, but a few of our local species head south for winter.

Creepy-crawly earwigs have a bad reputation. Their name alone can give you the heebie-jeebies! Earwigs? Why are they called earwigs? Surely because they love crawling in small cavities ... like human ears! Luckily, that's not the case. They are actually named for the shape of their wings.

Monee Reservoir is among the most popular Will County preserves. It’s a great place to spend some time fishing or out on the water in a boat. As popular as it may be, it doesn’t get much attention as a hiking destination. It's a great place for a family hike in any season.

When we think about rodents, we usually think first of small creatures, but not all rodents are small. A squirrel is a rodent, and they are certainly larger than mice and gerbils. Muskrats are rodents too. Even beavers are rodents, but they aren't the largest rodent of all. That title goes to the capybara, a curious looking animal that can grow to be twice the size of a beaver!

A person sitting at a table holding up two 2-liter soda bottles connected at their openings to form a tornado model.

Rolling over and playing dead might not seem like the best protective strategy, but for some animals it's just right.

This quiz is one where you have a 50/50 shot of being correct.

How well do you know the birds in your yard and neighborhood?

Here's your chance to see if you know what the state fish, state bird and more are

Do you know what a beaver looks like? What about a badger?

The spoonleaf sundew is a small carnivorous plant found in Will County. It lives in wet, acidic soil and supplements its diet by trapping and digesting insects with sticky, dew-like drops on its leaves. Though it looks delicate, this plant is a fierce predator and a great example of nature’s adaptability.

Feeding ducks bread may seem kind, but it’s harmful to their health. Bread lacks the nutrients ducks need and can lead to malnutrition, especially in ducklings. Instead of bread, offer healthy treats like corn, veggie scraps, or fruit — or better yet, let ducks find their own natural food to stay strong and thrive.

Illinois is nicknamed the Prairie State for its wide open landscapes and native plants. Keep an eye out for state symbols on your next visit: the violet, our state flower, blooms in many colors; milkweed supports monarchs as our wildflower; big bluestem, the tallest prairie grass, grows up to 8 feet tall; and the mighty white oak, our state tree, feeds wildlife and lives for centuries.

Peregrine falcons are rare but incredible birds found on six continents. Known as the fastest-diving bird, they can reach speeds up to 200 mph when hunting. They mainly eat other birds and can migrate up to 9,000 miles. Once nearly gone from the U.S. due to DDT, conservation efforts helped their recovery. Today, they’re thriving with a global population of 340,000.

Make a fun, colorful pinwheel using paper, scissors, a tack, and a straw or pencil. Cut a square, mark the center, draw and cut lines from corners to the middle, fold in every other corner, and secure with a pin. Attach it to a straw or pencil, then watch it spin in the summer breeze!

The double-crested cormorant is a sleek, black water bird known for expert diving and fishing. Found across the U.S., it dives underwater to catch fish using webbed feet and sharp-hooked beaks. After fishing, they spread their wings to dry. You can spot them nesting in colonies at preserves like Lake Renwick. Once hunted, their population has since rebounded and is now stable.

Pollinators like bees and butterflies get the spotlight, but moths, beetles, and flies play vital roles too. Moths work the night shift, beetles have been pollinating since dino days, and flies help early blooms. Each has unique ways of spreading pollen, keeping nature thriving. So next time you see one, say “Thanks, pollinators!”

Moles are expert diggers that spend most of their lives underground. The eastern mole, common in Illinois, digs in soft, moist soil using strong, shovel-like front feet. They build shallow tunnels to hunt insects and deep tunnels for rest and raising young. Though rarely seen, moles help improve soil health by aerating and turning it over. Despite poor vision, their adaptations make them perfectly suited for life below ground.

Fishing is full of surprises so pack light stay patient and enjoy nature. Be quiet near the shore to avoid scaring wildlife. Look for fish near weeds rocks or logs. If you get snagged stay calm and try different angles to free your hook and always clean up your line. Switch techniques if fish are not biting and remember the real win is spending time outside even if you do not catch a thing.