As a nature know-it-all kid, I loved talking to (more likely at) people about my favorite animals. One of those favorites was the rhinoceros, a dinosaur-like animal I loved to watch on nature shows. My go-to trivia fact was that rhino horns were not bones, but actually “made of hair”. Thanks to a recent reader request, we’ve now come full …
While the wildlife in our neighborhoods, gardens, city parks, and backyards is close and hand and can be fascinating, every nature enthusiast eventually wants to go further afield. Venturing out into new natural places can bring you into contact with new habitats, plants, animals, and much more. Of course, when we stray far from the conveniences of home, it’s worth …
Whether we find them intimidating or intriguing, people can’t deny some interest in spiders. They’re a part of our lives whether we like it or not, and play a critical role as insect predators in many ecosystems. Beyond that, spiders can be a homeowners’ or gardeners’ best friend for their ability to control potentially harmful insect pests. As someone who …
Everywhere in the world, you’ll find a few backyard wildlife “usual suspects”. These are species that turn up frequently in gardens, backyards or other outdoor spaces and attract attention—both good and bad. This weeks Wildlife Spotlight focuses a major example of such a usual suspect in the Americas: skunks! Given their stinky reputation and widespread presence in suburbs and even …
Controlling pests in your garden or yard can be challenging. Chemical treatments to eliminate critters like grubs or aphids can be harmful to pets and children, and tend to be expensive, requiring repeat applications. Planting flowers or herbs that repel some pests can be somewhat effective, but not always reliable. However, there’s another great option for garden pest management that …
Spending time outside has a lot of benefits. It can improve your health, sharpen your mind, relieve stress, and make you feel happier and more resilient. It’s a great way to make friends, see amazing places and wildlife, and adds a new dimension to vacations or other travel. But spending quality time outside is easier said than done. If you’re …
Warmer months anywhere in the world tend to bring out bug of many shapes and sizes. Even if you find them creepy, there’s something impressive about the seemingly endless variety of insects and other invertebrate critters that appear in Spring and Summer. Early each Spring I tend to get a lot of questions from concerned readers and friends about “giant …
Have you been eating wasp-filled figs? Check out this post for the fascinating science behind one of my favorite weird nature facts.
