Discover Nature Notes

Despite their slithery nature, scaly skin and downright scary appearance, snakes play a vital role in Missouri’s ecosystem.

One of a bird’s many talents is its ability to build the nest in which they lay their eggs. But in the case of the Brown-Headed Cowbird, a talent that distinguishes them from their avian counterparts is one of sheer trickery.

The next time you pick a dandelion from the ground, make a wish and blow its seeds into the wind, remember this: You’re playing a vital role in how a dandelion reproduces in new habitats.

Just think: If badgers could help us with our gardening activities, our plants would always be in tip-top shape.

You don’t have to travel “down under” to see a pouched animal. Missouri has the opossum, a tree climbing, baby-on-board carrying, creature of the night.

As spring warms to summer nature makes new sounds. The evening’s toad and frog chorus makes way for a symphony of insect sounds. One of the loudest and most familiar calls belongs to the katydids.

The delicate features of a deer fawn always seem to bring an “ooh” from even the gruffest of folks. A fawn’s endearing look of helplessness has caused many to be taken from the wild.

A deep, bellowing “jug-of-rum” call resounds through the hot night air from a nearby pond. And, you understand how the bullfrog got its name.

People can buy camouflage clothing in patterns that blend with cattails, tree bark or even snow.  Wild animals don’t need to worry about camouflage because most of them have it built in.

Wildlife and people alike enjoy the delicacies growing wild for the picking in nearby woods and fields.