Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “Animals”
One of my favorite things about summer nights is spotting bats against the evening sky. Although people often give them a bad rap, bats are helpful and important parts of the natural world. They also make up a large and diverse group of animals that live a variety of lifestyles. Let’s get to know these incredible animals, and check out …
This month, I’ve been thinking a lot about a question I’ve gotten several times from blog readers and on nature walks: specifically, why do animals have tails? Although I’ve heard this more often from younger children, plenty of adults also find it to be a head-scratcher when they really think about it. Tails, after all, are such a key part …
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 …
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 …
Hummingbirds are among the most requested topics from readers, with questions like how do I make my own hummingbird nectar? and How do I attract hummingbirds to my yard?. All of that interest is no surprise! These fiery, energetic, and often colorful birds are always an exciting sight during outdoor excursions, and its about time they got more love from …
Wildlife tracking is one of the most elusive naturalist skills to learn. Although our oldest ancestors relied on tracking skills to survive, many modern folks have a hard time with it. Unlike birdwatching, where a simple pair of binoculars (and sometimes not even that!) is enough to enjoy dozens of species in an afternoon walk, finding tracks can be a …
All living things need to accomplish two things to keep the natural world running: (1) they need to survive, and (2) they need to reproduce. There are lots of amazing and bizarre examples of adaptations to solve the first problem. For example, camouflage and aposematic coloration help some animals stay hidden or advertise powerful defenses. However, wildlife also address the …
