Posts Tagged ‘wildlife wednesday’
Wildlife Wednesday 04/01/2026
Happy #WildlifeWednesday! A sure sign that spring has arrived is the appearance of butterflies. The mourning cloak butterfly is typically the first to emerge in Ohio. Native to North America and Eurasia, the mourning cloak has a broad distribution around the northern hemisphere, and one of the widest ranges of any butterfly species. Easily identified…
Read MoreWildlife Wednesday 03/25/2026
Hoppy #WildlifeWednesday! Wood frogs have recently been treating vernal pool habitats to their loud quacking chorus of song, so let’s learn some fun facts about these fascinating amphibians! Wood frogs are forest-dwelling and spend most of their time during warm months on the ground near freshwater wetlands. They are our most terrestrial frog species. They…
Read MoreWildlife Wednesday 03/18/2026
Happy #WildlifeWednesday! You may have noticed more than the usual number of large dark birds circling and soaring in the sky overhead lately. Welcome back, Turkey Vultures! While some Turkey Vultures stay in Ohio all year, most migrate for the winter, traveling to the southern USA and even as far as South America. In Hinckley,…
Read MoreWildlife Wednesday 03/11/2026
Happy #WildlifeWednesday! It’s that time of year! The days are getting longer, temperatures are getting warmer, and birds are starting to migrate! Spring migration is the seasonal movement of birds from their wintering grounds to the areas where they will breed and spend months nesting, taking advantage of the warm weather and plentiful food sources.…
Read MoreWildlife Wednesday 03/04/2026
Happy #WildlifeWednesday! It is the time of year when we observe, appreciate, and celebrate Ohio’s state amphibian (and a TWC mascot), the spotted salamander! A type of mole salamander, this cute creature with bright yellow spots and a perpetual smile lives most of its life underground. After a long winter of brumation (similar to hibernation),…
Read MoreWildlife Wednesday 02/25/2026
Happy #WildlifeWednesday! Let’s talk about the largest waterfowl in North America, the Trumpeter Swan! Reaching a body length of over 6 feet, weighing close to 30 pounds, and possessing an 8-foot wingspan, these enormous avians are the heaviest flying bird on the continent. In order to become airborne, they require at least 100 yards of…
Read MoreWildlife Wednesday 02/18/2026
Happy #WildlifeWednesday! Let’s learn about North America’s largest rodent, the American beaver! Weighing in at an average of 60 pounds, this semiaquatic mammal is adapted to both life in the water and on land. Body features such as webbed feet, a waterproof fur coat, and flat rudderlike tail allow them to excel at swimming. Their…
Read MoreWildlife Wednesday 02/11/2026
Happy #WildlifeWednesday! Valentine’s Day is approaching and love is in the air, especially for coyotes! February is the peak of coyote mating season, which spans from late January until early March, and is one of the best times of year to hear their howls! Coyotes are highly adaptable animals that make their homes in a…
Read MoreWildlife Wednesday 02/04/2026
Happy #WildlifeWednesday! The Sandhill Crane is a tall elegant bird with a heavy body, soaring 6-foot wingspan, red crown of feathers on its head, and a fluffy bustle of gray plumage at its back end. This graceful long-necked avian has a loud rolling trumpet-like vocalization that can be heard for miles. Mated pairs will engage…
Read MoreWildlife Wednesday 01/28/2026
Happy #WildlifeWednesday! It’s almost the big day for everyone’s favorite prognosticating rodent, so let’s celebrate with some groundhog info! The groundhog, Marmota monax, is also known as a woodchuck and a whistlepig. They are members of the squirrel family, belonging to the group of large-bodied ground squirrels called marmots. Groundhogs prefer open country habitat and woodland…
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