Honeybees die after stinging because their barbed stingers get stuck and tear from their bodies, but other bees, wasps, and hornets can sting multiple times. Only female bees sting, and many bee species don’t sting at all. If stung, remove the stinger quickly, clean the area, and apply ice or a baking soda paste. Use creams or pain relievers for swelling. Seek medical help for stings to the mouth or signs of an allergic reaction.

Galls are plant growths caused by insects like wasps or flies to protect and feed their larvae. A female lays eggs in plant tissue, triggering the plant to form a gall. Galls don’t harm plants and serve as food and shelter for larvae. Predators like birds and squirrels may still break them open. Galls vary in shape, size, and color based on the egg-laying species. Even after larvae leave, galls can shelter other insects.

Soil and dirt aren’t the same. Soil is a complex mixture of decomposing organic matter and other particles while dirt is just what's left when soil breaks down. Soil contains minerals, organic matter, water and air, all working together to support life. It forms very slowly over time and varies by region. Soil is essential for plants, trees, and crops, and it's alive too! It breathes, needs water and oxygen and contains organisms that keep it healthy.

The idea that daddy long legs are deadly but can’t bite humans is a myth. The term daddy long legs can refer to crane flies, harvestmen, or cellar spiders. Harvestmen aren’t spiders and have no venom. Cellar spiders, the true spiders in question, do produce venom, but it’s harmless to humans. The myth likely came from their ability to kill dangerous spiders like black widows, but they use silk, not venom, to do so. Only a few spider species worldwide are actually harmful to h

Milkweed plants are important to both animals and humans. They are a great food source for monarch butterflies. They provide nectar to pollinators and can allow creatures to become toxic to predators by digesting its toxic sap. Milkweed has many medicinal uses including treating stings and respiratory issues. They are edible to humans if boiled in water, their stems can be used for ropes, their floss can fill pillows and blankets, and their pods make for great fire starters.

Prairies and savannas are both grasslands, but prairies have fewer trees. Savannas feature scattered trees, often oaks. These habitats often blend together. Illinois' prairies formed after glaciers shaped the land, with tallgrass prairies once covering much of the state. Rich prairie soil led to most prairies being converted to farmland. Today, few native prairies remain. Globally, grasslands make up 20 to 40% of Earth’s land and are called a few different names.

Scales protect animals, but they vary by species. Reptile and bird scales are keratin-based and form a continuous layer. Fish scales, made of dentin and enamel, are made up of individual scales and come in four types: placoid, cosmoid, ganoid, and elasmoid. Each of these scales can help scientists determine valuable information such as a fish’s age and illnesses. Scale size and type affect locomotion and protection. You can view live examples at Four Rivers' large fish tank.

Fox and gray squirrels are common in Illinois and look alike, but fox squirrels have reddish-brown fur and are slightly larger, while gray squirrels have gray backs and white bellies. Gray squirrels prefer dense forests while fox squirrels prefer open woods. Other Illinois squirrels include red squirrels and southern flying squirrels. Black and white squirrels aren’t separate species. They get their unique color from genetic mutations like melanism, leucism, or albinism.