The American Bumblebee has disappeared from eight states and is nearing extinction. Over the past twenty years, scientists estimate there has been about a 90% drop in bumblebee population across the United States. Eight states; Idaho, Maine, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and, Wyoming have already lost the American bumblebee entirely. Despite this,…
If you saw a rustle in the trees and a chipmunk pop out of its branches, you might wonder, “is that a squirrel?” Let’s investigate this question; “is a chipmunk a squirrel?” Did you know that squirrels and chipmunks belong to the same family? Both chipmunks and squirrels belong to the family Sciuridae, which makes them…
When you think of crustaceans, you might picture crabs and lobsters scuttling along the ocean floor. But did you know that there are also crustaceans living in rivers, lakes, and streams? These freshwater crustaceans are fascinating creatures that play important roles in their ecosystems. What Are Freshwater Crustaceans? Freshwater crustaceans are small, hard-shelled animals that…
Did you know that dragonflies undergo metamorphosis? Just like a butterfly, a dragonfly goes through several stages before it becomes an adult dragonfly. 1. The Egg Stage The life of a dragonfly begins as an egg, usually laid in or near water by the female dragonfly. She might lay her eggs on the surface of…
What is a waterfowl? Waterfowl are birds that spend most of time in or near water. These birds are perfectly adapted to living in watery environments, with features that help them swim, dive, and find food in lakes, rivers, and wetlands. What are some common types of waterfowl? Some common types of waterfowl include ducks,…
Have you ever wondered what bugs live in ponds, streams, and rivers? If you take a closer look, you’ll discover an entire world of amazing aquatic insects! These bugs might be small, but they play a big role in their ecosystems. Let’s dive in and explore some cool facts about these underwater critters. What are…
An amphibian is a vertebrate animal that can live on land and water. Ambians typically develop through a form of metamorphosis. There are three groups of amphibians. The first group consists of frogs and toads. The second group consists of salamanders, including newts and axolotls. The third group is made up of worm-like critters called…
How do you tell the difference between a male or female Monarch butterfly? It’s easier than you might think! Male or Female? The easiest way to tell the difference between a male and female Monarch butterfly is the spots on the hindwing of the male. The female Monarch will not have these spots. The female…
Monarchs primarily rely on milkweed (Asclepias genus) to survive. This is because it is the only plant that the Monarch caterpillar can digest! In this article, you will learn what Monarch butterflies eat and why. What do Monarch Caterpillars Eat? Monarch caterpillars only eat plants from the Milkweed family (Asclepias spp). Some species include common milkweed,…
Types of Foxes, All 23 Types of Fox! Did you know that there are 23 different types of foxes? You may have heard of the red fox, fennec fox and arctic fox, but have you heard of a swift fox, or an island fox? In this article, you will learn about the 23 different types…