When we think about rodents, we usually think first of small creatures, but not all rodents are small. A squirrel is a rodent, and they are certainly larger than mice and gerbils. Muskrats are rodents too. Even beavers are rodents, but they aren't the largest rodent of all. That title goes to the capybara, a curious looking animal that can grow to be twice the size of a beaver!

A person sitting at a table holding up two 2-liter soda bottles connected at their openings to form a tornado model.

Rolling over and playing dead might not seem like the best protective strategy, but for some animals it's just right.

The spoonleaf sundew is a small carnivorous plant found in Will County. It lives in wet, acidic soil and supplements its diet by trapping and digesting insects with sticky, dew-like drops on its leaves. Though it looks delicate, this plant is a fierce predator and a great example of nature’s adaptability.

Feeding ducks bread may seem kind, but it’s harmful to their health. Bread lacks the nutrients ducks need and can lead to malnutrition, especially in ducklings. Instead of bread, offer healthy treats like corn, veggie scraps, or fruit — or better yet, let ducks find their own natural food to stay strong and thrive.

Illinois is nicknamed the Prairie State for its wide open landscapes and native plants. Keep an eye out for state symbols on your next visit: the violet, our state flower, blooms in many colors; milkweed supports monarchs as our wildflower; big bluestem, the tallest prairie grass, grows up to 8 feet tall; and the mighty white oak, our state tree, feeds wildlife and lives for centuries.

Peregrine falcons are rare but incredible birds found on six continents. Known as the fastest-diving bird, they can reach speeds up to 200 mph when hunting. They mainly eat other birds and can migrate up to 9,000 miles. Once nearly gone from the U.S. due to DDT, conservation efforts helped their recovery. Today, they’re thriving with a global population of 340,000.

Make a fun, colorful pinwheel using paper, scissors, a tack, and a straw or pencil. Cut a square, mark the center, draw and cut lines from corners to the middle, fold in every other corner, and secure with a pin. Attach it to a straw or pencil, then watch it spin in the summer breeze!