Groundhogs have several names including land-beaver, whistle-pig, and woodchuck. They are rodents and part of the squirrel family. They live in underground burrows and hibernate as early as late October up until February, around the time when Groundhog Day is celebrated. Despite being a tradition since 1886, no science backs up Punxsutawney Phil’s predictions.

Test if your jello critters can survive winter with this experiment! Pour Jello into small containers. Just like animals need insulation and a warm place to live, build “homes” using materials like mittens, leaves, or bubble wrap for insulation. Place your Jello critters outside in their homes and leave one out in the open. After 30 minutes, check if they stayed liquid (survived) or turned into jello (died). See which homes kept your critters warm!

Snapping turtles are cold-blooded and can absorb oxygen underwater in winter via a cloaca (their butt). This cloacal respiration helps them survive while brumating. Their shells neutralize acid buildup, and they can be aggressive on land. Known for snapping jaws, snapping turtles can’t fully hide in their shells. Two species exist in Illinois: the common snapping turtle and the endangered alligator snapping turtle, which are the largest of its species, weighing at 150 pounds.

All animals poop, and their droppings can reveal clues about their diet and lifestyle. Coyote scat may contain fur or bones and is used to mark their territory. Rabbits eat their droppings for extra nutrition. Deer poop is similar to rabbit droppings, only larger. Bat droppings, called guano, resemble rice grains. Goose poop is tube-shaped and is often green or white. Horses can produce up to 50 pounds of manure daily. Bird poop is mostly white uric acid, which doesn’t wash a

Beavers are hardworking rodents known for building dams and lodges near water. They are the largest rodent in North America and can weigh up to 90 pounds. Beavers use strong orange teeth to cut trees and eat only plants. Baby beavers, called kits, can swim at birth. They live in family colonies and use their scaly tails for swimming, balance, and warning signals. Beavers can stay underwater for 15 minutes and have waterproof fur to help them thrive in wet habitats.

Composting is nature’s way of recycling living things into soil. Anything once living can break down into compost, which looks like dark, crumbly soil and smells like forest floor. You can make compost in a cup using organic scraps, soil, water, and sunlight. Mix the ingredients, cover the cup with plastic wrap, and place it outside. Add water and shake it every few days to help it break down. Over time, you’ll see your scraps turn into compost!