Posts by jbode
Winter Mammals of Iowa: Southern Flying Squirrels
The Southern flying squirrel is Iowa’s smallest squirrel. Although they live statewide, it can be difficult to spot them. The flying squirrel is nocturnal so they will sleep during the day. Usually they will sleep in tree cavities which can make it difficult to spot them. They are typically solitary animals during the summer, however, Read More »
Read MoreWinter Mammals of Iowa: White-Tailed Jackrabbit
The white-tailed jackrabbit can commonly be spotted in western and northern Iowa. It is the largest member of the rabbit and hare family. It weighs in the range of six to ten pounds. White-tailed jackrabbits have an interesting adaptation when it comes to the different seasons. Their fur can be a different color depending on Read More »
Read MoreWas the Turkey Almost Our National Bird?
Word on the street is that the turkey was almost our national bird. With Thanksgiving Day occurring this week, what better time to dig deeper into this question. Back when the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson were given the task to design Read More »
Read MoreRed Foxes in the Winter
The weather is getting colder and winter is on its way. The red fox is one of the two species of fox that Iowa has. How do they survive the cold Iowa winters? Red foxes do not hibernate, but they are less active during the winter to conserve their energy. They will usually just curl Read More »
Read MoreNuts about Squirrels
Squirrels are one of the most common critters around, but how much do you know about this remarkable rodent? Here are 10 facts that will make you nuts about squirrels! The Indian giant squirrel is the biggest species of squirrels. It can grow up to be 36 inches long! The African pygmy squirrel is the Read More »
Read MoreHow’d the Hedgehog Get Its Name?
There are 15 species of hedgehogs in the world. Each species is similar, but they each have small characteristics and habitual differences. The typical body length of a hedgehog is 5 to 12 inches long and the average length of the tail is 1-2 inches. They weigh about 1-2 pounds. The hedgehog has quite a Read More »
Read MoreWhat a Hoot!
If you give a hoot about owls, here are some fun facts you should know! Majority of Iowa’s nesting owl species primarily nest in trees. However, the burrowing owl usually will nest in abandoned badger dens. The short-eared owl nests on the ground in large grasslands. Short-eared owls have an endangered status in Iowa. This Read More »
Read MoreBat Appreciation
October is bat appreciation month! Overall, bats get a relatively bad reputation for their unique characteristics. While it is bat appreciation month, we should really appreciate them all year long. Bats offer a variety of benefits. Here are some of the great work they do for their ecosystems: They control the insect populations. Bats eat Read More »
Read MoreFall Monarch Migration
Fall migration for Monarch butterflies is in full swing! Typically fall migration goes from September to October. Monarchs are the only insect that migrate up to 3,000 miles to find warmer weather. Unlike other insects, monarchs cannot survive the cold winter. The monarchs that are located west of the Rocky Mountains fly to the California Read More »
Read MoreFall Color Report
As we move into fall, we are starting to see a wide variety of colors among the leaves. The changes in the length of daylight and temperature causes the leaves to stop their food-making process. The leaves stop making chlorophyll which results in the green color starting to fade while the reds, oranges, and yellows Read More »
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