Posts Tagged ‘wildlife’
Wildlife Wednesday 10/22/2025
Slow down for wildlife! It’s #WildlifeWednesday and the time of year when our state mammal, the white-tailed deer, is most active. As a result it is also the time of year when vehicle collisions with the large hoofstock most frequently occur. The breeding season, or rut, takes place in Ohio from mid-October through December, with…
Read MoreRegal Moth
The regal moth, also known as the royal walnut moth, is truly stunning in both size and beauty. This nocturnal giant becomes active at dusk and flies all night. Found throughout Ohio, the moth’s distribution is closely tied to its larval host trees. They are found in deciduous forests in the eastern U.S. from New…
Read MoreWildlife Wednesday 10/15/2025
Happy #WildlifeWednesday! You may have noticed Eastern chipmunks are particularly active right now. The cheeky rodents are busy with their winter preparations, which means gathering as much food as possible to stockpile in their dens. They use their cheek pouches to hold and transport the food items and look pretty cute while doing it. Their…
Read MoreWildlife Wednesday 10/08/2025
Happy #WildlifeWednesday! Features including a bushy ringed tail plus dark facial mask plus dexterous paws plus a reputation for mischief add up to one of North America’s most recognizable nocturnal creatures, the raccoon! Smart and adaptable, the raccoon can be found in a wide variety of habitats, from forests and coasts to big cities and…
Read MoreWildlife Wednesday 10/01/2025
Happy #WildlifeWednesday! Ohio is home to over 620 species of spiders. While spiders are sometimes feared and misunderstood, they play a very important part in the ecosystem by controlling insect populations. In this way they are also helpful in protecting crops and agricultural resources. Not insects themselves, spiders are arachnids, related to ticks, scorpions, and…
Read MoreWildlife Wednesday 09/24/2025
Happy #WildlifeWednesday! The Northern red salamander is a stout amphibian with bright gold eyes and a striking crimson body coloration with irregular black spots. In Ohio this species is found primarily in the eastern half of the state, making homes under rocks and logs. Its preferred habitats include deciduous and mixed hardwood forests, fields and…
Read MoreLong-Eared Owls
The long-eared owl is a beautiful nocturnal bird of prey built for hunting at night and being well camouflaged during the day. This owl spends most of its time in the boreal forests of Canada and northern parts of the U.S. Northern Ohio is on the very southern edge of this owls breeding range. However,…
Read MoreWildlife Wednesday 09/17/2025
The striking luna moth, also known as the American moon moth, spends about a month of its life cycle as a handsome and hungry caterpillar. Found in deciduous woodlands in North America where their larval foods occur, the hardy caterpillars spend most of their time eating. They munch upon the leaves of walnut, hickory, birch,…
Read MoreWildlife Wednesday 09/10/2025
Happy #WildlifeWednesday! The Virginia opossum is the only species of opossum found in Ohio and is also the northernmost marsupial (animal that carries its young in a pouch) in the world! It is an omnivore and has 50 teeth, more than any other North American land mammal, and is able to eat a wide variety…
Read MoreWildlife Wednesday 07/30/2025
Happy #WildlifeWednesday! We are currently in the midst of the hottest part of the season in the Northern Hemisphere, often referred to as the “dog days of summer.” To celebrate we are highlighting one of the canines found in Ohio, the coyote! The coyote is a medium-sized member of the dog family that is found…
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