Our local species of mole, the eastern or common mole, is also known as Scalopus aquaticus, which would indicate an association with water. Alas, this species is the least aquatic of the North American moles, although it does a fairly good job of “swimming” through soil in search of invertebrates on which to feed. (Photo
Mammal, Plant
At the end of last week’s column, the reputation of a certain local naturalist was in tatters. She’d mistaken a dead raccoon, one of our area’s most common roadkills, for a badger, a mammal that is rarely seen in Kane County. Little did she know, though, that badgers were alive and well—and reproducing, even, just
Animal, Badger, Mammal, Ring-Tailed Badger
January 29, 2016 Connect the Dots-Creating a Paradise for Coyotes When was the last time you played Connect the Dots? I remember Grandma Erickson giving me a book of those kid-friendly puzzles, and spending hours under her dining room table–the best place to play, when you’re four–trying to find the “1,” then the “2,” and
Animal, Coyote, Mammal
April 4, 2014 Photo Provided by Trudy Heinlein Coyotes “Ewe’s not fat, ewe’s just fluffy!” This statement, a supportive slogan for snackers everywhere, made me laugh out loud the first time I saw it on a neighbor’s refrigerator magnet. I could practically hear the sheep pictured there cheering me on as I reached for another
Animal, Coyote, Mammal
January 31, 2014 Wolves We used to say it could never happen. As few as 15 years ago, if anyone in our area said, “I think I saw a wolf,” the naturalist community would shake its collective head. “Couldn’t happen,” we’d say. “Not today. Habitat’s gone. Had to be a coyote. Or maybe a wild
Coyote, Mammal, Wolf
As I got ready to head out for a walk Sunday evening, I made the usual preparations. Jacket? Check. Waterproof boots? Check. Hat? Of course. Bat detector? Huh? Not in a million years would I have thought to bring out, on March 2nd, the electronic gadget I use each summer to detect the presence of
Animal, Bats, Mammal