-What we call ladybugs are actually lady beetles because beetles and bugs are different insect orders. Illinois has many species, both native and non-native. Native lady beetles help by eating garden pests, while non-native ones, like the Asian lady beetle, can be invasive and bite. Lady beetles are known for their spots, which vary in number. Not all lady beetles have spots, and not all are female despite their name.

A pair of light and dark tree rings equals one year of growth. Wider rings suggest good climate conditions that year and thin rings suggest otherwise. Fire scars, broken branches, and leaning can also be seen in the patterns. The dark center (heartwood) is old and strong, and the outer rings are the youngest. To estimate a living tree’s age, measure its trunk 5 feet up - each inch of circumference equals about one year. By reading tree rings, we learn both the tree’s past and

Owl pellets are not poop but regurgitated bits of undigested food like bones, fur, and feathers. Owls swallow prey whole and can’t digest those parts, so they form a pellet in their gizzard and spit it out. Found under roosting spots, pellets can show what owls have eaten. If you dissect one, wear gloves. Other birds like hawks and herons also produce pellets.

Wolf spiders are fast, hairy hunters found worldwide except Antarctica. Their drab colors blend in with nature and protect them from predators. Named for their wolf-like traits, wolf spiders don’t spin webs but chase or ambush prey at night, using eight eyes and reflective eyeshine for vision. Females carry their egg sacs and young on their backs. They can live anywhere, but will most likely be found in lawns, under leaves, and rocks. Wolf spiders are fascinating and closer t

Red-tailed hawks are common North American raptors known for sharp talons, keen eyesight, and hooked beaks. They mainly eat small mammals like mice and rabbits but can catch prey up to 5 pounds. Adaptable to many habitats, they live in deserts, rainforests, woodlands, and grasslands. In Illinois, they are found in both rural and urban areas, often seen soaring or perched while hunting.

Feathers are made of keratin and get damaged from flying, normal wear and tear, parasites and sun exposure. Since feathers cannot heal themselves, birds molt, shedding its feathers to make way for a new, healthy set. Birds can undergo complete molts - replacing all feathers at once - or partial molts - replacing some feathers with time). Molting requires a lot of energy and can affect the flying ability of some birds. birds can molt once to twice a year either completely, par

Named for their stripes, the nonvenomous common garter snake, Thamnophis sirtalis, and all of its subspecies, are the most widespread snake across the United States as they are very adaptable and can survive in extreme temperatures. They prefer grassy, moist habitats. Garter snakes can have as many as 80 babies who are fully independent at birth. All snakes are carnivores and rely on their keen senses of smell and vision to hunt. Garter snakes not only slither but can also sw

Bluegills are small freshwater fish found throughout Illinois and are the state fish. Their fins give them speed and agility to escape predators and catch prey. They hide in plants and logs, use sharp dorsal spines for defense, and detect water vibrations to sense danger or food. With good eyesight and a special throat suction, they eat insects, larvae and small fish. Despite their size, bluegills thrive thanks to smart adaptations.