Posts Tagged ‘wildlife wednesday’
Wildlife Wednesday 07/31/2024
Woof-woof! It’s #WildlifeWednesday and we are talking about trail etiquette with our canine companions! The Wilderness Center welcomes dogs on four of its trails (Sugar Creek, Fox Creek, Sigrist Woods, and Foxfield Preserve). When hiking with a pooch it is important to keep wildlife in mind for the safety of the plants and animals you…
Read MoreWildlife Wednesday 07/24/2024
It’s #WildlifeWednesday and the prairie is popping! Today we are highlighting a quintessential member of the aster (daisy) family, purple coneflower. Purple coneflower blooms during the summer in prairie and open woodland habitats. It is one of the species of echinacea, the name of which comes from the Greek word for “spiny one,” due to…
Read MoreWildlife Wednesday 07/17/2024
Happy #WildlifeWednesday! Let’s enjoy some fun facts about fireflies. Fireflies are soft-bodied beetles commonly referred to as lightning bugs. There are more than 2,000 species in the firefly (Lampyridae) family. Many but not all of the species produce light as adults. There are about 2 dozen species of fireflies found in Ohio. All fireflies glow…
Read MoreWildlife Wednesday 07/10/2024
It’ssssssss #WildlifeWednesday and we are highlighting one of our resident animal ambassadors, Zea the corn snake! The corn snake is a type of rat snake found in North America, mostly in the central and southeastern United States. It is not venomous, and kills its prey instead by constriction (squeezing). It is a beneficial animal to…
Read MoreWildlife Wednesday 07/03/2024
It’s #WildlifeWednesday and we are celebrating the upcoming Independence Day holiday with our national symbol, the Bald Eagle! The Bald Eagle is found throughout Ohio, with the largest concentration of birds located in the marsh regions along Lake Erie. They prefer areas with large old growth trees for nesting near open bodies of water. Primarily…
Read MoreWildlife Wednesday 06/26/2024
Happy #WildlifeWednesday! The Wilderness Center’s high quality habitats are home to many species of salamanders. One of the terrestrial salamanders that can be found is the Northern slimy salamander. Its common name comes from the sticky slime it produces in glands on its tail and lower back, which it uses to defend itself from predators.…
Read MoreWildlife Wednesday 06/19/2024
The Common snapping turtle is the largest species of turtle in Ohio, with some full-grown individuals weighing well over 35 pounds. While they achieve massive size as adults, when first hatched they measure only 2-3 centimeters, or about the size of a quarter! Peak egg-laying season in Ohio is during the months of May and…
Read MoreWildlife Wednesday 06/12/2024
Happy #WildlifeWednesday! Known for its striking yellow and pink coloration, thick wooly body, and fuzzy antennae, the rosy maple moth is a favorite among moth enthusiasts. A small member of the silk moth family, the rosy maple moth is found in the eastern United States and Canada. It makes its home in deciduous forests and…
Read MoreWildlife Wednesday 06/05/2024
Leaves of three, let it be. It’s #WildlifeWednesday and we are talking about poison ivy. Poison ivy is a common perennial vine or small shrub found in woodlands, fields, pastures, home landscapes, and a variety of other habitats throughout Ohio. The plant has compound leaves with three leaflets (hence the adage), the stalk of the…
Read MoreWildlife Wednesday 05/29/2024
Happy #WildlifeWednesday! This week we are talking about waterfowl! It is the delightful time of year known as “baby bird season” and geese and ducks can be spotted swimming and waddling around with their numerous adorable offspring in tow. Popular culture has historically depicted tossing bread, crackers, and popcorn to the endearing goslings and ducklings…
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