The 34,000 species of spiders are categorized based of the number of eyes they have and their arrangement. While most spiders have 8 eyes arranged in pairs, some spiders do not have any eyes and others can have as many as 12. Typically, the most central eyes detect size, shapes, and colors while eyes on the side of their head detect motion. Though some spiders have good vision, most spiders do not and can rely on other senses like taste, touch, and vibration to survive.

All animals within the mustelid family, such as skunks, minks, and badgers, can produce bad-smelling secretions. All mustelids have scent glands that can emit secretions with a foul odor that serve different purposes. This secretion can be used to mark territory, attract mates, or as a defense against predators. Other animals outside of the mustelid family and insects with odor-secreting abilities include bombardier beetles, opossums, stink bugs, vultures, and muskrats.

Baby animal names can be as adorable as the animals themselves. Some are playful, like porcupette (porcupine), puggle (platypus), and chuckling (woodchuck). Others are cute by sound, like pinkies (rats) and squeaker (dove). Many use suffixes: owlet, snakelet, spiderling, and antling. Unique names include joey (opossum), cygnet (swan), polliwog (frog), wriggler (mosquito larva), and eyas (hawk/falcon).

Thunderstorms need two basic things to develop: moisture and quickly rising warm air. Lightning bolts can instantly change nitrogen in the air into a gas that plants can absorb - nitrogen oxide – giving grass its green color. Normally, rain and soil microbes help convert nitrogen for plant use, but lightning speeds up the process. After a storm, especially one with lightning, grass may look noticeably greener. Just remember to observe safely and wait 30 minutes after the stor

Birds use a variety of materials to build nests, from twigs and grass to feathers and bark. It's safe to offer natural nesting materials like sticks, pine needles, and grass clippings—but avoid hazards like human hair, yarn, plastic, dryer lint, and pet fur (if treated with flea meds). Leaving your yard a little untended or putting materials in feeders, shrubs, or even a muddy patch can help nest-builders. Just be sure what you offer is safe and bird-friendly!

Dandelions are common weeds that benefit lawns by loosening soil and bringing up nutrients. Their greens are nutritious and used in salads, rich in vitamins and iron. Historically, dandelions have medicinal uses for various ailments. They grow almost anywhere, with deep roots and thousands of seeds. The name comes from French, meaning “lion’s tooth,” inspired by jagged leaves. In France, they’re called “pissenlit” due to their diuretic effects.

Soil is made of minerals, organic material, air and water and is full of living organisms. It forms very slowly over time, shaped by climate, organisms, landscape, parent material, and time (CLORPT). Particles in dirt are categorized into three groups: clay, sand and silt. Soil varies in texture and color depending on its mineral content. In Illinois, the state soil is Drummer, rich in organic matter from decomposing prairie plants and is found on over 1.5 million acres.

More than 250 years ago, French fur traders and Potawatomi people in Illinois wore very different undergarments - or none at all. Potawatomi wore loincloths or simple skirts with no undergarments. French people wore linen shifts or shirts to absorb sweat and dirt, as they bathed less often. Wealthy individuals had many, others had few. Girls wore layers like petticoats and stays. Laundry was tough, sometimes using stale urine or scrubbing with soap and water!