Nature Moments

Nathaniel T. Wheelwright

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Red-backed Salamanders, Forest Heavyweights

December 1, 2017


If you took all the moose or deer in a northeastern forest and put them on a scale, they wouldn’t weigh as much as the superabundant but often overlooked red-backed salamander. (Hard to believe, I know, but check out the study “Salamander Populations and Biomass in the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, New Hampshire” published in the scientific journal Copeia in 1975!)

Filed Under: Summer Tagged With: Amphibians & Reptiles, Animals, August, July, June, September

Sex Ed for Botanists

November 2, 2017


Gender in humans turns out to be more complicated than we once thought, but gender in plants is pretty complicated, too. Plants can have separate sexes, like most animals, or they can be hermaphroditic — but in two different ways. Next time you pass a flower, check it out!

Filed Under: Summer Tagged With: August, July, June, Plants

Would You Put This Stuff on Your Lawn?

October 23, 2017



You’d have to really hate butterflies, beetles and bugs to spread insecticides all over your lawn. Take a closer look at the ingredients and cautions on the package — you may decide not to use it, and share your lawn with other living creatures instead.

Filed Under: Summer Tagged With: Animals, August, Environment, Insects, July, June, Plants

Bouquets and Biodiversity from Your Lawn

October 15, 2017



Have you ever wondered what would happen if you didn’t mow your lawn for a while? When I tried that, three dozen different flower species appeared, providing a banquet for insects and birds.

Filed Under: Summer Tagged With: August, Birds, Environment, Insects, July, June, Plants, September

Swimming with Leeches

October 12, 2017



I used to be afraid of leeches until I tried a simple experiment which showed that they much prefer frogs. Now I’d much rather swim in a natural pond than a sterile chlorinated pool.

Filed Under: Summer Tagged With: Animals, August, Invertebrates

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