Because all living organisms are interconnected, someone has to clean up messes: the shells of previously living organisms and their rotting soft parts that would otherwise be littering the environment. Many animals do their bit to help out to a greater or lesser...
Another creature that often gets no respect for its efforts is the ant. There are many species of ants. Not all can be considered scavengers, but they all seem to do their bit towards keeping the planet clean, even if it is done inadvertently. Throughout history,...
People of a certain age may remember a comedian named Rodney Dangerfield, whose famous line was “I don’t get no respect.” This article, and some to follow, will explore some critters who, like Mr. Dangerfield, also get “no respect:” nature’s clean-up squad,...
Are bats in danger? The answer is most definitely yes! And it is mostly our fault. Considering the many beneficial effects that bats have on our lives, we are not repaying them very well. Worldwide, bats are threatened or endangered by the stresses related to...
Bats are one of the most important animals to share our space on this planet. They are also some of the most misunderstood. Throughout recorded history bats have been associated with evil, witchcraft, and generally scary things—the legend of Dracula, Halloween, and...
It is not a dragon, although it can be fearsome-looking. It is not a fly, although it is capable of aerial locomotion. As you have probably guessed, this month’s interesting insect is the dragonfly. Dragonflies and damsel flies (also called darning needles) belong...
