Blog

Nature Notebook – Lunged Snail

“If the opening is on the left, then it is a lunged snail.” The students learned the difference between lunged and gilled snails using this identification technique. They then determined that the snails in our…continue reading

Nature Notebook – Winged Ants

Exterminator companies probably experienced a recent increase of panicked calls as people noticed large swarms of winged insects that looked like termites. Although termites do periodically form swarms such as these, most likely the insects…continue reading

Nature Notebook – Woodchuck Hibernation

A few woodchucks are still trying to pack on pounds at our feeders. The fatter the woodchuck, the less time it spends in hibernation. That nearly dead state, although good for energy use reduction, has…continue reading

Nature Notebook – Stink Bugs

Fall is here. Time for your house to fill up with winter boarders:  box elder bugs, ladybugs…and stink bugs. Those pesky brown bugs with a triangular-shaped back are called brown marmorated stink bugs. They are…continue reading

Nature Notebook – Fall Hatchlings

One might think that the season for cute baby animals is over. However, this past week we had encounters with a number of very young reptiles. In an amazing feat of acrobatics, a young snapping…continue reading

Nature Notebook – Northern walking sticks

An interesting visitor seemed intent upon entering the Butterfly House by hitching a ride on the door. Actually this Northern walking stick insect was likely enjoying the warm sunshine. This native walking stick looks a…continue reading

Nature Notebook – Florida Malachites

They don’t have the body parts or strength to cause physical harm, yet some male butterflies seem determined to maintain a breeding territory. The Florida malachite butterflies in our Butterfly House are good examples. A…continue reading

Nature Notebook – A Butterfly’s Favorite Flower

What is a butterfly’s favorite flower? Is a common question in our butterfly house. The answer, as always in nature, is…It depends. In general, butterflies seem to prefer flowers that produce nectars that have relatively…continue reading

Nature Notebook – Caterpillar Silk

Why do caterpillars of silk moths produce their famous threads? Silk is produced and used by caterpillars of moths and butterflies as a safety device and to form their pupal homes. Most caterpillars consume their…continue reading

Nature Notebook – Dobsonfly

The earsplitting screams indicated that something other than the geocache had been found. Granted, the sight of a two-inch long female dobsonfly can provoke the same reaction from most folks. Had our visitor been a…continue reading