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.

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.

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.

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.