Nature News

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...

This month’s interesting insect is the praying (or preying) mantis.  It looks like a creature from another planet.  Imagine if it was our size instead of just two inches long, or less.  Mantids are a fairly small order of insects, having only 2,300 species worldwide,...

Not many people likes wasps, do they? They are often seen as mean, nasty creatures that will sting a person without even a bit of provocation. And their sting really smarts! And swells up, and turns red, and hurts for days! So why on earth do we have wasps around?...

Insects are the most numerous organisms on the planet.  They can be found in virtually every ecosystem in the world, with the possible exceptions of the polar regions, and the deepest, airless parts of lakes and oceans.  They have evolved to live in whatever habitat...

The recent snows of February brought much-needed moisture.  Spring is still over a month away, but if you look closely you will see signs here and there that life is ready to bloom.  The winds are still cold and we may yet have more snow, but a few bits of green can...

Raptors are the apex predators of the avian community.  Bird nobility, if you will, eclipsing their smaller cousins (and sometimes eating them).  Most raptors are much larger than the average bird and create a thrilling spectacle when we are fortunate enough to...