Discover Nature Notes

The bobcat’s habitat has played a vital role in the history of the animal’s survival. Despite the profound change from wilderness to developed land, bobcats have managed to remain Midwest residents.

When people find baby snakes around their homes, they wonder: Where did it come from? Is it venomous? Will we find more?

A heavy morning dew touches all of nature, especially the fine, geometric threads of a spider web.

In nature, color has a purpose. Seasonal decorations can help some animals distinguish males from females. 

Watch for flying bull-bats, a nickname for the common nighthawk in the September sky. Nighthawks are not “hawks” and also fly during daylight hours. Their loud calls will jar the night.

Next time you see a fish swimming around erratically, it might not be because they are hungry or because they are being chased by another fish. They might simply be living up to their name.

As streets and highways invade more and more animal habitats, the number of road-killed animals rises.

They go by names such as the lady beetle or ladybird beetle, but you may be most familiar with one.

All wildlife seeks to survive. But rather than hiding from predators, some harmless animals flaunt their presence. They can be so bold because they resemble other animals that taste bad or cause them harm.

“The ants go marching one by one, hurrah, hurrah…” You see them as they scurry about the driveways, lawns and sidewalks, maybe even in your home. Ants seem to be everywhere. All ant species live in societies, and each society is headed by a queen.