Blue jay

Crows, ravens, magpies, nutcrackers and jays — these songbirds are all corvids, a family with many of the world’s smartest and most social birds. Their intelligence exceeds that of all other bird families, except parrots.

NO “BIRDBRAINS” HERE

With their large brain-to-body size (larger than all other bird families), corvids have complex learning and recognition skills, similar to those of primates. In experiments, crows and ravens solve challenging puzzles designed for them to access a reward (food).

California scrub-jay with peanut

Corvids are so curious, they can even figure out how to use tools without being shown. In the wild, crows have been observed dropping nuts on paved roads and waiting for cars to drive over them so they can then pick out the edible parts of the crushed nuts. Corvids are also good at recognizing individuals. Experiments show that American crows (and other corvids) can identify specific human faces and even people’s facial expressions.

Their language is also highly developed. Listen to crows, jays or ravens, and you’ll notice how many different vocalizations they have! They can also learn vocal mimicry. Blue jays imitate the calls of red-shouldered hawks nearly perfectly, while crows and ravens have a much wider range, mimicking all sorts of sounds, from other animals to mechanical sounds and even human words. While visiting friends in Canada, we heard a common raven several times say the name of our friends’ dog. The raven had heard the dog’s name being yelled over and over and learned to mimic it!

Steller’s jay

FAMILY DEVOTION

Corvids are very social birds and are close to family members. There’s a strong bond not just between parents and young but also between mates, who are typically together for life. Another amazing characteristic of corvids, which appears more often than with most other birds, is something called “cooperative breeding.”

With corvids, this is when the offspring of a pair of jays or crows, for example, stay with their parents even after they are old enough to be on their own. It helps them learn even more for when they do finally go off to raise their own families, but it’s also so they can help their parents raise future clutches of young — their siblings. They might help with nest building, feeding the young or removing poop from the nest.

They can also act as lookouts for hawks, owls or snakes, warning the family when these predators appear. Groups of jays and other songbirds will come together to squawk at a snake or raptor to let the predator know that there will be no meal while “we see you!” Corvids often harass predators larger than themselves. Jays might dive-bomb a crow, and a crow might dive-bomb an even larger predator, like a red-tailed hawk!

The strong family bond in corvids is also shown in their behavior when a family member dies. They mourn the loss deeply. At our home in Florida, a rat snake once killed a blue jay, and a family member perched above on a tree branch making sad sounds for a long time. It was a very emotional observance.

Common raven

WILD FRIENDS

Corvids are found on all continents except Antarctica, with 130 species worldwide. Nearly all of the 20 corvid species native to the U.S. are year-round residents, staying in the same area their whole lives. However, some individuals of certain species, particularly blue jays and American and fish crows, might migrate short distances, heading to warmer areas in the winter. Crows can gather in huge flocks in the hundreds or even thousands (called a “murder” of crows) — safety in numbers!

Many people think crows, ravens, magpies and jays are obnoxious or don’t like them because they are noisy or seem to chase off other birds, but we hope that you’ll come to appreciate and respect these brainy birds. Their ability to adapt and learn is truly remarkable and puts them in a league with other clever, curious creatures. Remember, they can recognize your face and your sounds, so talk to them nicely, put out feeders and water for them, and they might become your “wild” friends!

4 FAST FACTS ABOUT CORVIDS

1. Corvids typically live long lives. One blue jay in the wild lived to be 26 years old. A common raven in captivity lived to the ripe old age of 69.

2. Common ravens are the largest corvid, as well as the largest songbird in the world, weighing up to 3.5 pounds!

3. Corvids store food to eat later — sometimes half a year later or longer! Blue jays and scrubjays cache acorns, and nutcrackers cache pine nuts. Scrub-jays have been known to cache thousands of acorns from one year’s crop.

4. Experiments have shown that crows can use tools, plan ahead, barter for future food rewards and learn to perform tasks even faster than some primates.

Bats and birds are their specialties, but wildlife biologists Selena Birgit Kiser and Mark Kiser love all species of critters. Both have worked for the State of Florida and previously worked for Bat Conservation International on such programs as the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail and the North American Bat House Research Project.

"Clever Curious Corvids: Learn About This Family of Brainy Birds" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

Birdwatching can be a fun pastime. More than 800 species of birds migrate across or breed in North America. They range from the massive California condor with a wingspan of 9 feet to the tiny calliope hummingbird, which measures about 3 inches long. You’ll find some birds almost everywhere, while others live only in certain places.

It can be exciting to find a rare species. Studying habitats increases your odds for finding birds. Specific species have preferred food sources and hiding and nesting areas. Some birds make parks and backyards their homes, while others gravitate toward marshlands or mountains.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

• Binoculars: Look for a pair that is waterproof, is comfortable in your hand and has at least 8x magnification. You can borrow some until you’re ready to buy your own.

• Field guide: A bird guide will help you identify what you’re seeing. There’s information about specific birds, bird families, migration patterns and much more. You could also try a birding app to see which species have recently been spotted in your state. Some smartphone apps can help identify birds by their calls.

• A notebook and pencil to keep a log of all the species you find.

HEADING OUT TO GO BIRDWATCHING

1. Use your bird guide, smartphone app or an online resource to research birds you’d like to find in your area.

2. Start in your own backyard, or head to a nearby park with lots of trees and plenty of open space. When in parks or wildlife refuges, stay on the trails and observe from a distance so you don’t disturb nests. The best time to go is early in the morning or late in the afternoon when many species are most active.

3. Move slowly and quietly, listening carefully. Find a place to sit or stand that has a good view of everything around you. Look around for birds.

4. Once you spot a bird, study it. Find the most obvious detail about it. White wings? Yellow markings? Big crest? Write down what you observe, including the bird’s color, size, shape, sounds and habits. You can also take a photo or try drawing the birds for future reference. Those details will help you identify them. As you spend more time birding, you’ll be able to identify birds more quickly and easily.

5. Use your notebook or an app to keep a log of all the species you find.

6. You’re officially birdwatching, so you’re a birder. Keep at it! The more often you go out, the more you’ll discover.

WHY BIRDING?

Birdwatching can be a fun hobby that brings you closer to nature. In fact, birding is one of the country’s fastest-growing hobbies, with more than 65 million Americans actively involved.

Many of the most important scientific discoveries about birds were made by amateur birders. Get out there and make your own valuable contribution to science. You can also earn the Bird Study merit badge, by which you’ll identify at least 20 species of wild birds. Find a counselor to get started.

"How to Get Started Birdwatching" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

If you’ve never seen cicadas, you’ve definitely heard them. These chunky, bulgy-eyed, large-winged insects have an ear-splitting sound.

The cicada (say: suh-KAA-duh or suh-KAY-duh) is a bug that people either love or hate. We fall into the love category, knowing their rhythmic songs are a sure sign of summer.

CICADAS JOURNEY FROM GROUND TO SURFACE

There are more than 3,000 species of cicadas worldwide, with about 170 species in the U.S. Cicadas live in temperate or tropical regions of all continents except Antarctica. Most are in forested areas and rely on trees for survival. A few species inhabit prairies or grasslands.

Most are an inch or two long, but the smallest in North America is the 1/2-inch aridland cicada in the Southwest. The largest cicada in the world lives in Southeast Asia, is 3 inches long and has an 8-inch wingspan!

Cicadas live most of their lives underground in their immature stage, called a nymph. They feed on liquid from plant roots, but they don’t cause much harm to the plants. As adults, they still have only a liquid diet of plant sap. After their nymph stage is over, they burrow up through the ground to the surface.

After crawling to find a solid object to climb, such as a tree, fence or car tire (anything touching the ground is fair game!), they begin to molt, which takes about an hour. Their skin cracks open and the new adult crawls out, with big, strong wings. You might have seen their husky brown skins left behind.

Periodical cicadas have the longest life cycle of any insect.

SING OUT LOUD

Cicadas typically live only four to six weeks, so they have to get noticed fast to mate. The best way to do that is by being loud! Males sing, or drum, from trees to attract females. The loudest of the bunch is an African cicada, coming in at 107 decibels — almost as loud as a chainsaw! Several North American species are nearly as loud. They make this sound with structures called tymbal organs, located on their abdomen. There is space around these organs where the air vibrates to make sounds.

The males also drum when in danger. Cicadas are harmless. They don’t bite or sting and they don’t have venom or poison, so their only defense is screaming loudly. This is a response to make a predator leave or drop them. If you approach a tree when a cicada is singing, it will typically get quiet, but if you pick it up, you’ll get an earful!

Annual cicada

CICADA MAGIC

Most cicadas are what biologists call annual cicadas. These live only 1 to 5 years, mostly underground. The few remaining species are called periodical cicadas, which come out of the ground in huge numbers.

Worldwide, there are only seven species of periodical cicadas, found solely in the eastern and central U.S. These live for many years underground — in periods of 13 or 17 years — before emerging. There are 15 different cycles or “broods” of periodical cicadas. Each brood can be made up of several species.

Scientists aren’t sure why periodical cicadas have this odd life cycle, but it might be due to long periods of cold thousands of years ago. In addition, the range map of the 17-year broods matches closely with glacier movements of the last Ice Age. Why periodical cicadas still follow these patterns today is unknown. Maybe it makes it less likely that predators will anticipate when there is an eruption. Regardless of why, periodical cicadas’ life cycle is so amazing that biologists placed them in the genus Magicicada. Indeed, they are magical!

By creating a surge of millions or even billions at one time, emerging all at once gives periodical broods a big advantage. This overwhelms predators and makes it impossible for all the cicadas to be eaten, ensuring plenty survive to reproduce.

If there are no periodical cicadas where you live, don’t fret! There are many annual species in your area. Just keep an ear out for their drumming. Different species have different sounds that can be learned, just like bird songs. Getting to know cicadas is a great way to introduce yourself to the amazing world of insects!

2024 Cicadapocalypse!

In 2024 there has been a special emergence of two broods of periodical cicadas (13- and 17-year) in parts of the U.S. The last time these two broods — Brood XIX and Brood XIII — erupted at the same time was in 1803, when Thomas Jefferson was president!

There are an incredible number of periodical cicadas around. Biologists predict there could be a trillion. Some are even calling this event a “cicadapocalypse”!

4 FAST FACTS ABOUT CICADAS

1. Some places might have so many cicadas that people have to shovel the carcasses from roads! This happened in Chicago 17 years ago when Brood XIII last emerged.

Green leafhopper

2. Cicadas are not locusts, which are a type of grasshopper. Cicadas are most closely related to leafhoppers, treehoppers and spittlebugs, although much larger.

3. Periodical cicadas are somewhat smaller and darker than annuals and have bright red eyes. Annuals are typically more green and brown overall with greenish to brownish eyes.

4. A main predator of cicadas is the cicada-killer wasp. The females paralyze and carry off live cicadas to their burrows, where larvae feed on them. You might see one of these wasps dragging a stunned cicada. Watch long enough and you might find the entrance to their several-foot-long burrows.

Bats and birds are their specialties, but wildlife biologists Selena Birgit Kiser and Mark Kiser love all species of critters. Both have worked for the State of Florida and previously worked for Bat Conservation International on such programs as the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail and the North American Bat House Research Project.

"Cicadas: Making Summer Magical" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

Lurking in the vegetation, a brown feline with dark spots and stripes sits, camouflaged from approaching hikers. It’s early morning, and the bobcat would like to get in another round of hunting before going back to her den for a nap. The loud group passes the unseen cat, never suspecting that such a magnificent mammal is so close, just watching and waiting for them to go by.

COMMON BUT SECRETIVE

Found from southern Canada to Mexico, including all 48 contiguous states except one (sorry, Delaware!), bobcats (Lynx rufus) are the most common and abundant wild cats in North America. However, many people never see one, as they are quite secretive and are usually more active from dusk to dawn.

These small- to medium-sized felines, weighing 10 to 40 pounds (males are larger), are superb at hiding and stalking, making them excellent hunters. Like other cats, they are carnivores (meat-eaters) and prefer small mammals like rabbits and rodents. They also hunt small reptiles and amphibians, birds and even insects. Eggs are fair game, as are the remains of deer and other animals.

Although bobcats are named because of their short tail (2 to 8 inches long), all cats in the genus Lynx (four species worldwide) share this trait. A long tail isn’t necessary for bobcats like it is for cheetahs, whose long tails help with balance at high speeds. Bobcats don’t do high-speed chases. Instead, they typically hunt from ground level, quietly stalking prey.

Large paws help in jumping, climbing and staying quiet. Large ears and prominent ear tufts help bobcats hear extremely well. They can hear small animals moving in grasses, under snow or in leaf litter, and they can also see well, relying less on scent for hunting.

SUPER MOMS

Bobcat moms typically give birth in spring or early summer to three kittens (after about a two-month pregnancy), and, like most other cats, they take care of their young with no help from the father. Bobcat mothers usually have several dens and move around with their kittens to keep them safe. Not staying in one place too long keeps the bobcats’ scent from getting too strong and attracting predators.

Dens might be inside hollow trees, in caves, under large rocks or in thick vegetation. The kittens stay with mom for eight months to a year, eventually learning how to hunt and what to eat. Bobcats can live up to 12 years in the wild. Adults are solitary and territorial, and tolerate each other only during mating, which typically occurs in winter and spring.

LUCKY ENCOUNTERS

If you’re very quiet outdoors, you might get lucky and see a bobcat. We’ll never forget one of our closest encounters, which occurred in the Rio Grande Valley in Texas. We just felt that someone was watching us while we were hiking, so we stopped. Sure enough, a bobcat was staring at us from behind some vegetation. After a short moment, he slowly walked off into the woods. We weren’t worried about our safety, as bobcats rarely get aggressive toward humans. We’ve even had one appear at our property in Florida, just sitting out in the open, grooming like a house cat!

Although bobcat numbers are relatively stable, some areas are still losing habitat quickly, and in these regions, bobcats are disappearing or are moving into less ideal locales, such as suburbs or other developed places. Bobcats need a large area to live, as ranges extend up to 20 square miles or more for males. So it’s still important to make sure we keep large, wild areas set aside for them and other wildlife.

4 Fast Facts About Bobcats

1. BOBCATS ARE BIG IN SOME NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURES. Tribes with bobcat clans include the Creek and the Chickasaw. To the Pawnee, the bobcat symbolizes a connection between Earth and the stars. Parents wrapped their babies in bobcat fur to bring celestial blessings. The Zunis made stone figures of bobcats to bring good luck during hunting.

2. Bobcats live in a WIDE RANGE OF HABITATS, from deserts to forests and swamps.

3. Bobcats may travel up to 7 MILES IN ONE EVENING as they search for food and patrol their territory.

The Canada Lynx

4. THE CANADA LYNX (Lynx canadensis) is a close and slightly larger cousin of the bobcat. It lives in Alaska, Canada, parts of the northern U.S. and the Rocky Mountains south to Colorado. It can spot prey in the dark from 250 feet away.

"Bobcats Are the Cats in Camo" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

The scientific name for the Venus flytrap is Dionaea muscipula. It was named for the Greek goddess Diana (whom the Romans called Venus). Muscipula means “mousetrap.”

We don’t usually think of plants as predators, but some plants do eat insects and other small creatures. Since they can’t chase prey, these carnivorous (meat-eating) plants have developed some clever strategies to capture their food.

Of the hundreds of thousands of plant species, there are only about 800 that are carnivorous. They typically grow in wetlands or forests where soils are wet for at least part of the year.

These soils are often poor in nutrients, so plants that get much of their energy from sunlight through photosynthesis need to supplement their diet with insects and other prey.

It takes only about 0.3 seconds for the Venus flytrap’s leaves to snap shut and trap prey inside.

VENUS FLYTRAPS

The Venus flytrap is probably the most famous carnivorous plant. Native only to a small area in coastal North and South Carolina, it has been established elsewhere in the U.S. Despite the name, Venus flytraps eat mostly spiders; crawling insects like ants; and smaller amounts of beetles, grasshoppers and other insects.

The Venus flytrap’s hinged “snap traps” are leaves that look like little clams with big eyelashes. The inner surfaces are bright red to purple (to attract insects) and have tiny hairlike projections called “cilia.” When triggered by a bug, the cilia cause the two lobes of the trap to quickly shut, trapping the prey inside. The cilia have to be touched at least twice so the plant doesn’t waste energy on a false alarm. Once a bug is caught, it takes three to 20 days to be digested and for the trap to reopen.

A blow fly is trapped on a carnivorous sundew plant.

SUNDEWS

Sundews, which are Venus flytrap relatives, are some of the world’s smallest predatory plants. They are low-growing and have greenish to reddish paddle-shaped leaves arranged in a circle. Sundews use a “flypaper” approach to trap prey. Their leaves are covered in tiny hairs that release a clear, sticky substance, which both lures and traps bugs. Their name comes from the sticky liquid that makes the plants look like they are covered in dew.

A crimson pitcher plant. Some nicknames for pitcher plants are trumpet pitchers, frog britches and whip-poor-will boots.

PITCHER PLANTS

Pitcher plants are found on four continents. In North America, they grow mainly in the eastern U.S., but some grow on the West Coast and in parts of Canada. The name comes from their tubular shape — the “pitchers” are leaves that function like a pitfall trap.

Pitcher plants lure insects with their bright colors; some also use sugars and odors. The pitcher tops are slippery, and if prey get too close and fall in, it’s hard for them to escape. The victims drown in the pitchers’ liquid, which includes enzymes for digestion. Pitcher plants are unique among carnivorous plants in that they also act as shelter for some wildlife that are able to avoid getting caught, including insects, spiders, frogs and even bats.

Pinguicula ‘Weser’ butterwort

BUTTERWORTS AND BLADDERWORTS

Butterworts grow in many parts of the world including North America. Their leaves are succulent (they hold water) and arranged in a circular pattern. Butterworts use a flypaper strategy and catch insects with sticky leaves. And, like sundews, prey is digested on the leaf surface where they are caught. Butterworts also produce a substance that keeps insects from rotting while being digested.

Bugs and other invertebrate animals aren’t even safe out on the water. Some carnivorous plants called bladderworts are fully aquatic, and others grow in wet soils. Bladderworts use suction-like traps called “bladders” to catch tiny insects and aquatic worms. The bladders are hollow and have a flexible door and hair-like triggers that suck prey inside. Within about 30 minutes, the traps are reset again.

PROTECT RARE PLANTS

Many carnivorous plants are now rare or endangered in their native range due to poaching, which is the illegal taking of plants (and animals) from the wild. You can help protect rare plants by not removing them from their habitats and always purchasing plants grown by reputable retailers (make sure they are grown in nurseries). Other serious threats to carnivorous plants include over-collecting, habitat loss and drought caused by climate change. Learn more about carnivorous plants at a local botanical garden or arboretum.

"Watch Out, Bug! These Plants Are Hungry" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

Texas horned lizard

What’s that strange-looking creature? A little armored tank? A walking cactus? No, it’s a horned lizard, one of the most unusual reptiles in the U.S.

NOT FROGS OR TOADS

Horned lizards get their name from the horns on their heads and spikes along their bodies, which give them a tough, intimidating appearance. While they are called “horned toads” or “horned frogs” because of their shape and size, they are lizards, not amphibians. Their flat, wide bodies are unlike those of other lizards, which typically are long, narrow and built for speed.

There are 17 species of horned lizards, ranging from southern Canada to Mexico. Nine are in the U.S. — all west of the Mississippi River — although a few small isolated populations have been introduced in the Southeast. They generally live in hot, dry habitats like deserts and plains, but some are also in open woodlands.

The round-tailed lizard, like its name hints, has a cylindrical tail with colored bands.

WHAT’S ON THE MENU? ANTS!

Horned lizards are active mostly during the day, but they are ambush predators, and their camouflage helps them blend in among rocks, sand and other background elements. So they sit motionless and wait for prey to walk by, and then capture them with their sticky tongues. They eat mostly ants, with some species eating 100 or more per day, since ants don’t provide a lot of calories. Horned lizards have large stomachs to accommodate eating so much, resulting in their wide body shape.

Harvester ants are favored prey for many horned lizards, but they must be captured carefully. The lizards aim their tongues for the ant’s midsection so they aren’t stung or bitten. Spiders, pillbugs, beetles, grasshoppers and other arthropods are also on the menu.

Top: At Saguaro National Park in Arizona, a regal horned lizard eats an ant. See it under the tongue? Bottom: The horns of the regal horned lizard are quite long and resemble a crown.

SECRET DEFENSE WEAPON

Horned lizards are not very fast, so they rely on their excellent camouflage and staying still to avoid detection. They also can flatten themselves against the ground — so flat that they barely cast a shadow! Their horns and spikes provide some protection from predators such as snakes, roadrunners, coyotes, ravens and hawks. Horned lizards can also puff themselves up with air to make themselves look bigger and more menacing, which also makes them harder to swallow if caught.

When in danger, eight species of horned lizards also have another trick: They can squirt blood from the corner of their eyes as a last defense. Whoa! This bizarre technique is mainly used against mammals such as dogs, foxes and coyotes. They can accurately aim from several feet away at a predator’s eyes or mouth. Formic acid in the horned lizards’ blood (from eating all those ants) apparently tastes really bad to these predators, who will give up the chase.

The Texas horned lizard is the easternmost species and the official state reptile of the Lone Star State.

MORE LIFE HACKS

When it rains, horned lizards have another ingenious life hack: They can collect water on their skin by arching their tail over their head. Scales on their tail help channel water down toward their mouth. A handy desert survival trick! Like other reptiles, they can easily overheat on hot days and will move into shade, hide in animal dens or burrow under sand to keep cool. They hibernate underground when temperatures drop in winter.

These lizards are also unusual in how they reproduce. Horned lizards that live in the warmest areas lay eggs, which they bury underground to incubate and hatch on their own. Those in cooler locations and higher elevations incubate eggs internally, and the babies are born looking like miniature adults. Horned lizards may have three to 45 young at a time, depending on the species. Their offspring, which receive no parental care, have fairly low survivorship due to high predation levels. The lifespan of horned lizards is thought to be five to seven years, although legend once held they could live to be 100.

The pygmy short-horned lizard will bury itself in the sand in winter and freeze like an ice cube for months at a time. Then it will thaw out when spring arrives.

BE A CITIZEN SCIENTIST

Many horned lizard populations are declining, so they are protected by law in some states. Major threats include loss of habitat due to development and agriculture, as well as pesticide use and introduction of exotic species. Non-native fire ants have reduced the number of harvester ants in some areas, which takes away from the lizards’ food supply. Fire ants can also kill hatchlings.

The pet trade has removed many horned lizards from the wild as well. They don’t survive well in captivity (do you really want to feed a lizard 100 or more live stinging ants a day?) and therefore don’t make good pets, so please leave them where you find them.

If you would like to help as a citizen scientist, the Horned Lizard Conservation Society wants anyone who encounters these lizards to upload photos — plus date, time and GPS coordinates — to iNaturalist.com. This helps scientists better track their whereabouts and population trends.

The greater short-horned lizard is the only species that can be found in three countries.

7 FAST FACTS ABOUT HORNED LIZARDS

1. The scientific name for horned lizards — Phrynosoma — means “toadbodied.” Like toads, horned lizards don’t move very fast.

2. Horned lizards were revered by some Native American tribes who used images of them in their artwork.

3. The greater short-horned lizard is the only species that can be found in three countries. It lives in a variety of habitats from 2,000 to 10,000 feet in elevation and is the state reptile of Wyoming.

4. The horns of the regal horned lizard are quite long and resemble a crown.

5. The Texas horned lizard is the easternmost species and the official state reptile of the Lone Star State. They have disappeared from Louisiana and much of East Texas, and possibly from Arkansas and Missouri.

6. The round-tailed horned lizard, like its name hints, has a cylindrical tail with colored bands.

7. Horned lizards come in a wide range of sizes. Not counting tail lengths, the smallest species is the pygmy short-horned lizard (2 ½ inches) and the largest is the giant horned lizard (5 inches). Females are generally bigger than males.

Find out more about U.S. species of horned lizards at hornedlizards.org.

Bats and birds are their specialties, but wildlife biologists Selena Birgit Kiser and Mark Kiser love all species of critters. Both have worked for the State of Florida and previously worked for Bat Conservation International on such programs as the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail and the North American Bat House Research Project.

"Discover the Cool, Unusual Horned Lizard" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

Spring means it is time for the arrival of several billion feathered visitors from Mexico, Central America and South America. Many of these birds make incredible journeys every year to find the perfect place to nest and raise their young in the U.S. and Canada.

The wide variety of migratory birds includes many colorful songbirds: warblers, tanagers, vireos, buntings and orioles, to name a few. Ducks, cranes, shorebirds, raptors and hummingbirds also migrate.

Hundreds of bird species in North America migrate each fall and spring, nesting in the northern part of their range and wintering in the southern. Migration distances vary — from only a few miles up and down a mountain to hundreds or thousands of miles.

A yellow-rumped warbler in flight.

WHY DO BIRDS MIGRATE?

Some species are considered “residents,” such as cardinals, American robins, American goldfinches, chickadees and titmice. They stay in the same location year-round, finding enough food to raise young in the summer to keep them alive during the winter. But the majority of birds migrate because the benefits of migrating outweigh the costs of staying put. There are often better food sources, weather and habitat in the tropics. Species that winter in the U.S. make up for this by having more offspring than those that migrate.

Male indigo bunting

Birds migrate along four major flyways in North America: Pacific, Central, Mississippi and Atlantic. Each spring, most western species travel from Mexico into the U.S. from the tropics. Many eastern species launch from the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico and fly over the Gulf of Mexico to reach the southeastern U.S. Some birds that winter in the tropics fly north through the Caribbean, using the islands as stopovers, until they reach south Florida.

A line of geese fly past a full moon in Northern California.

NIGHT FLIGHTS

Most birds migrate at night, using astronomical cues to help guide them. Also at night, air currents are typically more stable, with no thermal drafts to slow them down. Plus, the birds are less likely to overheat from constant flapping or become food for daytime predators, such as hawks. They use flight calls (different from their songs) to communicate with flockmates so they don’t get separated and also to help each other navigate around obstacles, such as skyscrapers and cell towers.

Birds that cross the Gulf of Mexico fly up to 650 miles in one fell swoop. That amazing voyage might take 18 hours for small songbirds. Leaving in the evening and arriving the next afternoon in the U.S., they’ll stop for food and water before continuing north. Bad weather, including rain and strong headwinds, brings “fallouts.” In these situations, large numbers of exhausted birds will land anywhere they can as soon as they reach shore. Otherwise, a strong tailwind can help push them beyond the coast, and they might continue a while longer until they need to rest and eat.

A pair of rufous hummingbirds along with two female Anna’s hummingbirds at a nectar feeder.

HOW CAN YOU HELP MIGRATING BIRDS?

In addition to climate change and habitat loss, birds face huge obstacles during migration: weather, predators, colliding with glass in buildings, outdoor cats and eating insects sprayed with toxic pesticides.

No wonder numbers have been plummeting for many species over the past century. But you can help! Use UV stickers or screens on windows, keep your kitty inside (or on a leash or in a catio outdoors), plant native plants, use fewer yard chemicals, and provide fresh water and food for birds.

Rose-breasted grosbeak

Spring migration is a fabulous time to go birding. You can try attracting birds to your yard with feeders and baths. This might be the only time during the year that you’ll find certain species. For example, at our home in north Florida, we get rose-breasted grosbeaks only during spring and fall migration. For about a week, they visit our feeders and bird baths, and use the native habitat around our house for rest and protection. Then they’re back on their way to their final destinations.

Spring bird migration across the Florida Keys.

On the Radar

There’s a nifty tool scientists use to count numbers of migrating birds in flight: weather radar. That’s right — flocks of birds traveling together are often large enough to see on radar. Using this data, scientists can see how many migrate from Canada/northern U.S. to temperate/subtropical areas of the U.S. (short-distance migration) versus how many migrate from North America to the tropics.

Bats and birds are their specialties, but wildlife biologists Selena Birgit Kiser and Mark Kiser love all species of critters. Both have worked for the State of Florida and previously worked for Bat Conservation International on such programs as the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail and the North American Bat House Research Project.

"It’s Flight Time! Get Ready for the Incredible Spring Bird Migration" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

Flying squirrels are amazing animals, but their name is misleading. They don’t flap or have wings. What they should be called are “gliding” squirrels.

They have skin folds called “patagia” between their arms and legs, attached at each wrist/ankle. When they jump from a tree, they spread their patagia and catch air like a sail, using gravity to glide. Their wide, long tails (almost as long as their body) act as a rudder to steer them. They are super maneuverable in the air and can turn 180 degrees mid-jump!

And they can glide far. The longest recorded glide is nearly 300 feet — that’s a football field — although most go only 20-30 feet at a time. Pads on their feet act like shock absorbers, cushioning the impact of landing.

Also unique to these tiny squirrels are their huge, dark eyes, which provide excellent night vision. Flying squirrels are active after dark, which explains why few people ever see one. We have a family of flying squirrels at our place here in north Florida. Sometimes we hear high-pitched chirping from up in a tree near our house. Only when we’re very lucky do we actually see one, and that’s with the help of a red-filtered spotlight (to keep from scaring them off). Their large eyes reflect the light, giving them away.

THE SPECIES

There are nearly 50 species of flying squirrels, and almost all are in the Northern Hemisphere. Most are found in Asia, with several in Europe and North America. There are three species in the United States: southern, northern and Humboldt’s flying squirrels.

The southern flying squirrel is found in the eastern U.S., from Minnesota to Maine in the North, to East Texas and Florida in the South. Their range also extends into southeastern Canada and parts of Mexico and Central America. They prefer living in forests in which the trees drop their leaves.

The northern flying squirrel’s range is mainly in the northernmost states, Canada and Alaska, extending southward along the Rockies and Appalachians in evergreen coniferous forests.

Humboldt’s flying squirrel is a western species from British Columbia to California. They look like their northern cousins, except slightly smaller and darker.

From nose to tail tip, flying squirrels in the U.S. are the tiniest of all our squirrels, from 10 inches for the southern to 13 for the northern.

HELPING THE FORESTS

Since jumping and gliding are their main ways of getting around, a healthy forest with plenty of close, tall trees is crucial to their survival. Such forests provide quality shelter and food, like nuts, seeds, lichen, fruit, bark, tree sap, insects and bird eggs.

In return, flying squirrels help the forests. They love to eat certain mushrooms, such as truffles. Many of these mushrooms have close connections with tree roots, increasing the trees’ uptake of water and nutrients. This makes flying squirrels important in the restoration of forests by helping to disperse not only plant seeds, but also the spores of these beneficial fungi.

Flying squirrels can store up to 15,000 nuts and other seeds per year.

FAMILY LIFE

Unlike some rodents, flying squirrels do not hibernate. Northern flying squirrels are a bit larger than the southern species and stay active year-round. Instead of hibernating during the winter, southern flying squirrels save energy by sleeping (a deep sleep called “torpor”) in large groups to share heat and stay warm, with females and males in separate groups.

Flying squirrels typically give birth to two or three kits (although they can have up to six), which stay with their mother for roughly four to six months. Family groups live together, and they often have several tree cavities or nests, one of which is only used as a latrine (to keep their sleeping areas nice and clean).

Flying squirrel nest boxes

Flying squirrels will use nest boxes on trees. These boxes should be installed in groups of three or four, one of which is used as a latrine. Find instructions for building them yourself at go.scoutlife.org/squirrelbox

"Catching Air with Flying Squirrels" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

Ethan Fidhel woke to his friends crowded around him. He sat up to see what they were watching. It was wolves — three of them. The majestic beasts, two covered in striking white fur, had emerged from the woods, soon followed by a pair of 2-month-old wolf pups.

The wolves were hungry, but Ethan, a 16-year-old Eagle Scout, wasn’t worried. It was feeding time at the International Wolf Center in Ely, Minnesota. He and the rest of boys Troop 610 of Riverview, Florida, watched the wolves eat from behind a window in the center’s viewing room.

“Getting a front-row seat to the wolves was pretty cool,” says Eagle Scout Sam Herzeerg, 16.

Scouts don’t always have to venture into the wilderness to find an awesome animal encounter.

WAKING UP TO WOLVES

Last June, Troop 610 embarked on weeklong canoe treks at the BSA’s Northern Tier high-adventure base in northern Minnesota. One crew paddled 75 miles while the other traveled 100, cruising by waterfalls and Native American pictographs.

That’s an adventure in itself.

But before their treks, the troop took an overnight trip to the International Wolf Center. Located about 30 miles from Northern Tier, the center houses gray wolves, including arctic subspecies, that are born in captivity. Wolves are one of America’s most misunderstood animals, often portrayed as ferocious killers in fairy tales and movies. In reality, they’re generally afraid of humans.

That’s just one fact the guys learned. The center strives to educate visitors about wolves, so they also found out about pack dynamics, animal behavior and diets.

“A wolf can go a month without eating, and then feast on one animal,” Sam says.

After an educational talk, games and pizza, the guys set up their sleeping bags in the viewing room. At 4 a.m., the wolves started lurking around their 1 1⁄4-acre enclosure. The Scouts started waking up then and watched the wolves walk closer to the windows. They even got to hear them howl.

SLEEPING WITH SHARKS

Cub Scouts with Pack 625 of Woodstock, Georgia, slept soundly under a 340-foot tunnel-shaped tank filled with sharks and sawfish at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies in Tennessee. They had been awake until midnight exploring the facility that houses 11,000 species of sea creatures, so they were pretty tired.

When they arrived at the aquarium last June, they took a tour and got to pet stingrays and jellyfish. (Don’t try this at home! Most jellyfish sting. The aquarium’s touch tank has special moon jellies that can’t sting humans.)

“It felt a little bit slimy,” says Judd Meyer, 6, a Lion Scout.

A diver on the tour quizzed the Cub Scouts about different animals. He also played Rock, Paper, Scissors with them while he was underwater in the tank.

The Cub Scouts enjoyed the aquarium’s massive indoor playground and went on a scavenger hunt, during which they read informative signs by the tanks and learned more about animals.

“I didn’t know a pufferfish could puff two to three times its size,” says Webelos Scout Robert Walker, 10.

As the activities wound down, the pack got ready for bed under the tunnel tank. Inside the tank swam sawfish, several species of sharks and a sea turtle named Sally. After a good night’s sleep, the Cub Scouts met in a classroom, where they got to touch starfish, lobsters and an iguana.

SCOUTING THE ZOO

It’s fun to do the activities that an animal facility offers, but it’s really fun to do Scouting activities there, too. For the past 37 years, Three Harbors Council has hosted Scouting the Zoo at the Milwaukee County Zoo in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This past June, more than 600 Scouts camped on the zoo grounds across from animal exhibits.

The campout was filled with contests, like the councilwide Pinewood Derby championship. Cub Scouts also raced each other around the parking lot on Cubmobiles — one-seated wooden cars. Older Scouts took on skills challenges, like pioneering.

During free time, everyone explored the zoo. Evan Bondar, an 8-year-old Bear Scout with Pack 316 of Oak Creek, Wis., goes to the zoo often with his family, but sometimes things are different.

“They had a new seal there; the seals had given birth to a baby,” he says.

At the end of the day, everyone watched the movie Night at the Museum.

RIDING AT THE RANCH

For decades, Scouts have gone on exciting treks at Philmont Scout Ranch. This includes Cavalcade, a weeklong program on horseback through the rugged New Mexico wilderness.

If you love horses, the BSA high-adventure base isn’t the only place you can ride. Look for equestrian programs at council camps, like Camp Geronimo in Payson, Arizona, or D-Bar-A Scout Ranch in Metamora, Michigan. Both offer trail rides on their properties.

At D-Bar-A, you can add a ride to a weekend campout or wait for the ranch’s summertime equestrian camp. The weeklong camp teaches you how to ride and properly care for a horse. Then spend a night under the stars with your horse.

At Geronimo, Scouts can ride trails that take them around canyon rims and across creeks. Cub Scouts can go riding for the day at nearby R-C Scout Ranch.

Keep Learning

The BSA offers many opportunities to learn more about our natural world, specifically animals. In Scouts BSA, you can earn merit badges in Animal Science, Bird Study, Dog Care, Fish and Wildlife Management, and Horsemanship, to name a few.

"Scouts Get an Up-Close Look at Animals at These Fun Outings" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

CORPSE FLOWER BLOOMS

Looking and smelling like something straight out of a horror movie, the corpse flower (Amorphophallus titanum) is so named because it smells just like rotting meat.

Native to Asia, corpse flowers can take up to 10 years to bloom, and the bloom lasts just a day or two before it collapses. Corpse flower blooms are so uncommon that arboretums live-stream the events for all to see.

The stench emitted by corpse flowers is designed to attract insects that feast on dead animals, and the flowers further trick potential pollinators by warming up to a comfy 98 degrees. Researchers report that the various chemicals responsible for the plant’s horrific smell are also found in cooked onions, limburger cheese, rotting fish and smelly socks.

SAILING STONES

Death Valley National Park is one of the hottest regions in the world and home to one of nature’s most bizarre phenomena: rocks that move seemingly on their own, leaving telltale tracks behind them.

Known as “sailing stones,” their travels across the park’s Racetrack Playa in California went unwitnessed by humans until 2014, when researchers recorded movement using global positioning system and time-lapse cameras.

Over the years, explanations as to how the rocks move have ranged from an unknown magnetic effect to torrential rains, but the most likely answer is simple, researchers say: They glide on a delicate, windowpane-thin layer of ice and water, propelled by the wind. Some of the trails extend up to 1,500 feet.

ICE CIRCLES

If you’re lucky enough to spot an ice circle, know that you’re witnessing one of the most unusual happenings in nature. Ice circles are thin, circular slabs that slowly rotate in rivers, streams and creeks. They require specific conditions to form, and they can appear and disappear within a matter of minutes.

In most cases, ice circles appear in eddies of slow-moving rivers when the water temperature is at freezing or lower. The speed of the moving water is important: If the water is moving too quickly, the eddy will be disrupted; if the water is moving too slowly, it will freeze over.

Also known as “ice disks” or “ice pans,” ice circles have been spotted primarily in North America and Northern Europe but can materialize in any slow-moving body of water. Most ice circles are small, but disks of up to almost 50 feet in diameter have been reported.

FIRE RAINBOWS

Fire rainbows have nothing to do with fire. They’re called that because they often exhibit a spectacular red or orange hue. Fire rainbows (known scientifically as “circumhorizontal arcs”) are rare because they require a specific combination of conditions to form.

First, the sun must be high in the sky. Next, there must be high-altitude cirrus clouds with plate-shaped hexagonal ice crystals facing parallel to the ground. The crystals act as a prism when sunlight passes through them, producing a gorgeous array of colors.

Keep your camera handy when working or playing outdoors — you never know when a fire rainbow will suddenly materialize.

BALL LIGHTNING

Ball lightning is among the rarest of weather-related events and also one of the least understood. Commonly described as colorful glowing orbs ranging in size from a few inches to the size of a grapefruit, ball lightning is most commonly seen hovering over the ground during thunderstorms, though it has also been observed around ships at sea and even inside airplanes.

Ball lightning occurs unexpectedly and usually lasts only a few seconds, which is why scientists know so little about it. However, research took a big leap in 2012 when scientists in China who were monitoring a thunderstorm managed to record a brief ball lightning event on high-speed video and analyze the ground where the lightning occurred.

THE SERPENT GOD AT CHICHEN ITZA

Think of this as a collaboration between man and nature: Every year during the spring and fall equinoxes (when daytime and nighttime are about the same length), the rising sun creates the appearance of a giant snake slithering down the steps of the Pyramid of Kukulcan in Chichen Itza, Mexico.

Built around 900 A.D., the nearly 80-foot-high pyramid is a testament to the astronomical and architectural abilities of ancient Maya. The Mayans intentionally crafted the pyramid steps in such a way that triangular shadows would give the appearance of a snake when the sun hit the structure just right.

Completing the illusion is a large carved snake head at the bottom of the steps. The snake god has become a very popular tourist attraction, with enthusiastic crowds gathering at the pyramid on the equinoxes to watch the sun-created reptile make its journey

"Take a Look at 6 of Nature’s Rarest Events" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

IO (2 to 3 inches long, green with pink and white stripes down either side): The biggest of the caterpillar bad boys, this one has tufts of hair sticking up all over it.

Small, slow, cute and fuzzy doesn’t always mean harmless.

Caterpillars lurk in trees, shrubs and fields throughout the country. They hang from leaves and crawl across roads and fence posts. They don’t seem like a threat.

But some pack a powerful sting.

HICKORY TUSSOCK (1 inch long, light gray to white hairs with a row of black hairs going down its back): This caterpillar, along with the silver-spotted tiger, is typically the least potent.

Like this: When the hickory tussock moth caterpillar brushes against you, its tiny hairs break off in your skin. You get the sensation of being poked by a bunch of needles.

Or check out the puss caterpillar. When this caterpillar brushes against you, its fine hairs penetrate your skin and release venom. The venom flows through the hollow hairs like water through a straw, straight into you.

PUSS (1 inch long, pear shaped, gray to brown): The stinging spines are located underneath the top layer of hairs. The sting from this caterpillar is usually the most painful.

HOW BAD IS A CATERPILLAR’S STING?

Reactions to caterpillar stings vary. Some people simply can take more pain than others. The potency levels of venom from caterpillar species can differ. And potency might also vary within the same species, depending on the size of the caterpillar.

If you’re stung by one of the big venomous ones, a severe rash might break out, consisting of a few red dots where each hair penetrated your skin. In some cases, the rash might spread and swell. Blisters might also form.

In the most severe cases, which are rare, you might develop swollen lymph nodes, intestinal disorders, difficulty breathing, headache and nausea.

SADDLEBACK (1 inch long, brown on each end, green patch around middle, small brown patch in middle of its back that looks like a saddle): The most common stinging caterpillar.

To make matters worse, your reaction might not show up until hours after your confrontation.

And a dead caterpillar can still sting.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU’RE STUNG BY A CATERPILLAR

If you’re stung and start to hurt, roll some tape with the sticky side out across the affected area. This will help remove any fine hairs that might be stuck in your skin. If it’s on your body or clothing, remove it with protective gloves. Then scrub the area with soap and cool water to wash out venom.

Immediately apply an ice pack to reduce swelling and pain.

An antihistamine might be helpful in some cases, but be sure to check with a trusted adult first. If your reaction is severe, you might need to see a doctor. See the BSA’s medication use guidelines for more information.

SILVER-SPOTTED TIGER (1 1/2 inches long, covered with tufts of hair that can be either brown or black): When this caterpillar matures, the body remains a darker color while the tufts of hair become gray to white.

The secret to not getting stung is to learn and look. Know that caterpillars are generally out during the summer and fall. Look before you reach for bushes, flowers, shrubs or tree branches.

"Watch Out for These 5 Stinging Caterpillars" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

Never eat wild plants unless you know for sure what they are and how your body reacts to them. Ingesting some plants might even be deadly.

Here are some dangerous wild berries to avoid:

HOLLY

Small red berries. Grows in Southeastern states. Symptoms: vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration and drowsiness.

LILY OF THE VALLEY

Small red berries. Grows in parts of Eastern states. Symptoms: nausea and vomiting, mouth and abdominal pain, cramps, diarrhea and irregular heart rate.

NIGHTSHADE

Glossy black or dark purple berries. Grows along West Coast and in Michigan and New York. Symptoms: cramps, irregular heartbeat, tremors and paranoia.

POKEWEED

Clusters of dark purple berries. Grows over most of Eastern and Central states, as well as West Coast. Symptoms: stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and low blood pressure.

YEW

Small red berries, usually with an open end. The berry’s flesh is safe, but the seed is highly toxic if chewed. Grows in Alaska, West Coast and Northeastern states. Symptoms: confusion, difficulty breathing, nausea and vomiting.

AN IMPORTANT NOTE: Just because birds or animals can eat certain berries, it doesn’t mean you can. If you start feeling ill and believe poisonous berries are the culprit, call your local poison control center.

"Tasty Treat or Fatal Fruit? Here Are 5 Dangerous Wild Berries To Avoid" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

When you think “skunk,” you probably think “stink.” But these critters are usually sweet-natured and helpful — they eat a lot of pests! Of course, it doesn’t help that skunks belong to the scientific family called Mephitidae, a word that means “stink” in Latin.

What’s the secret behind skunks’ odor? Skunks have two scent glands at the base of their tails that produce a super-strong sulphur compound (think rotten eggs but much worse). They can keep only about a tablespoon of this liquid on tap, and it takes about 10 days for their body to make more. So they use this spray sparingly — only when they really feel threatened (like if someone startles a mother with her kits).

YOU’VE BEEN WARNED

Skunks prefer to warn trespassers about what’s in store for them if they come too close. For starters, all skunks have those characteristic black-and-white stripes or spots, which serve as the main signal for other animals to beware. Depending on the species, skunks might also stamp their feet, hiss, raise their tail or even do a handstand on their front feet before spraying.

When skunks use their spray, they can aim it accurately up to about 10 feet. So get out of the way if you ever see any of these warning signs! If you or your pet do get sprayed, see how to quell the smell at go.scoutlife.org/skunk

Skunks can be curious and not see you as a threat. In that case, don’t make sudden movements, and let the skunks do their thing and move on.

See how one cyclist dealt with a skunk family in this video:

Few wild animals actually attack skunks, and only about five of every 100 skunk deaths are caused by predators. Mammals can smell skunk spray very well, whereas most birds don’t have a good sense of smell. So it’s no surprise that the main predators of skunks are owls — particularly the great horned owl.

SKUNKS 101

The 10 skunk species around today are unique to the Western Hemisphere, from Canada to Argentina (however, skunk fossils have been found in Europe). The most familiar species in the U.S. is the striped skunk; the others include the hooded skunk, four species of hog-nosed skunks (the largest reaches up to 18 pounds) and four species of spotted skunks (the smallest weighs just over a pound).

Of all the species, only the hooded skunk is increasing in numbers; the others are decreasing or stable. Two of the spotted skunk species are in serious decline.

Skunks might live up to seven years in the wild, but most survive only about three years. Since skunks can’t see very well, the main cause of death is being hit by cars. Other causes include starvation in winter and diseases.

Unfortunately, a fair number of skunks die from rabies — more often in Midwestern/Plains states, California and Texas. If a skunk is acting aggressive (which is not typical), is unable to walk or move normally (wobbling/falling over) or has excessive salivation, then back away and call your local SPCA wildlife department, wildlife rehabilitator or state wildlife agency right away.

Skunks are mostly nocturnal, but they’re also active at twilight. Don’t be surprised, though, to see one during the day. There are times when they need to leave their burrow to find food. Since adult males are nearly always solitary and do not help raise young, daytime foraging is much more likely done by mothers that have to feed their little ones. Even though they’re weaned at about two months, kits stay with their mom between eight and 12 months.

Although insects are a favorite food, skunks are true omnivores and will eat just about any small creature they can find (earthworms, rodents, snakes and birds), plus eggs and plants.

In cool climates, skunks are much less active in the winter. They lower their body temperature (not as low as with true hibernation) and spend most of that time in dens. Females will overwinter in a den together, but males usually den alone.

May all your encounters with these creatures be fun, safe and odor-free!

"Skunks Stink But They’re Also Fascinating" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

For the coolest experiences, visit a bat roost with a sizable colony.

Bat “emergences,” also called “outflights,” are spectacular shows that can last for hours. Here are a few of the best bat-watching sites in the United States.

ANN W. RICHARDS CONGRESS AVENUE BRIDGE

Austin, Texas | tpwd.texas.gov

Texas reigns supreme for bat viewing. It boasts the world’s largest urban bat colony. Austin, the “bat capital of the United States,” is famous for its bridge-dwelling bats; 1.5 million free-tailed bats live in crevices under the Congress Avenue Bridge.

VISIT: This roost attracts hundreds of spectators nightly who watch from the bridge railing, sidewalk or observation lawn (bring a blanket or lawn chair). You can also watch from nearby restaurant balconies or from the water. Bring or rent a kayak, book a guided sunset paddling tour or take a bat-viewing cruise on the lake.

BEST VIEWING: August to September

ADMISSION: Free or small fee

BRACKEN CAVE

San Antonio, Texas | batcon.org

Texas is also home to the largest colony on the planet. Fifteen to 20 million Mexican free-tailed bats call Bracken Cave home each summer. Each night, they swarm at the entrance like a living tornado before heading out to gobble literally tons of moths. Emergences here can last more than three hours. The dawn return is also impressive as bats zoom back into the cave like furry missiles.

VISIT: Check Bat Conservation International for viewing nights. (Note: Dates fill up fast!) If you can’t get there, a webcam is just a click away.

BEST VIEWING: July to August

ADMISSION: Donation requested (free with BCI membership)

ORIENT MINE

Saguache, Colorado | olt.org

Abandoned mines spell danger for humans, but these artificial “caves” provide critical shelter for millions of bats around the globe. Colorado’s largest bat colony finds refuge each summer in this old iron mine in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

VISIT: A 1-mile hike leads to a viewing area where you’ll marvel at 250,000 free-tailed bats emerging for nearly an hour. Call ahead to check that bat tours are taking place.

BEST VIEWING: July to August

ADMISSION: Free

SPIRIT OF SUWANNEE MUSIC PARK

Live Oak, Florida | floridabats.org

Do bats enjoy country music? Maybe not, but they do appreciate this park’s giant bat house near the Suwannee River. More than 10,000 free-tailed bats delight spectators as they wing their way over an open field toward their nightly insect buffet.

VISIT: To witness the outflight, you may purchase an inexpensive evening pass or bring your tent and camp.

BEST VIEWING: May to September

ADMISSION: Small fee

CARLSBAD CAVERNS NATIONAL PARK

Carlsbad, New Mexico | nps.gov

One of the world’s most famous caves is Carlsbad Caverns, where free-tailed bats have entertained visitors for decades. The park’s 400,000 to 800,000 bats (including cave myotis and fringed myotis) put on a great show as they swirl about the entrance before heading off into the night.

VISIT: Arrive early enough to catch the ranger-led interpretive program at the amphitheater.

BEST VIEWING: August to September

ADMISSION: Free

SAUTA CAVE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

Scottsboro, Alabama | fws.gov

With the biggest cave emergence east of the Mississippi River, Sauta Cave doesn’t disappoint. More than 200,000 gray bats live here in summer; it’s their largest maternity colony (where female bats give birth) anywhere.

VISIT: An observation deck is located at the cave entrance, but bring a hat or umbrella to avoid being “rained on” as the bats pass overhead.

BEST VIEWING: June to August

ADMISSION: Free

UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA

Gainesville, Florida | floridamuseum.ufl.edu

On the Florida Gators’ campus stand the world’s three largest occupied bat houses (imagine big wooden sheds on telephone poles). A whopping 450,000 to 500,000 free-tailed bats live here all year, along with some smaller cousins — evening bats and southeastern myotis. The myotis relish mosquitoes and other aquatic insects, making them welcome backyard visitors.

VISIT: An observation area offers a kiosk and benches for your viewing enjoyment. Or watch the acrobatics via live cams.

BEST VIEWING: May to September

ADMISSION: Free

MILLIE HILL MINE

Iron Mountain, Michigan | michigan.org

Now recognized as one of the most important bat hibernation sites in the upper Midwest, this abandoned iron mine was nearly sealed off as a safety hazard. Fortunately, the bats were saved just in time; conservation groups and local businesses built a special steel cage over the mineshaft that gives bats access and keeps people from falling in.

VISIT: You can see between 35,000 and 50,000 little brown bats and big brown bats exiting the mine during peak migration times.

BEST VIEWING: April to May and September to October

ADMISSION: Free

NICKAJACK CAVE WILDLIFE REFUGE

Chattanooga, Tennessee | tva.com

Gray bats, an endangered species of the Southeast, live in caves year-round. Nickajack Cave is one of their few summer roosts and one of the Volunteer State’s most important caves.

VISIT: Stroll the boardwalk to a viewing platform, where you can watch 100,000 bats take flight over water. Or paddle your canoe from the Maple View Recreation Area for an aquatic viewing experience. Local outfitters also offer bat tours by canoe.

BEST VIEWING: April to September

ADMISSION: Free or small fee

ECKERT JAMES RIVER BAT CAVE PRESERVE

Mason, Texas | tpwd.texas.gov

Another superb viewing spot in the Texas Hill Country, this rustic Nature Conservancy preserve is home to 4 million free-tailed bats. Excellent interpretive tours and sunrise bat viewings are offered.

VISIT: Closed for the 2021 season due to COVID-19. Next year, call ahead for river-crossing information — there’s no bridge, making the adventure all the more exciting!

BEST VIEWING: May to September

ADMISSION: Small fee

WHY SO FEW SITES UP NORTH?

An introduced fungal disease called white-nose syndrome (WNS) has killed more than 7 million bats in North America. Discovered in a New York cave in 2006, it has spread rapidly, wiping out bat colonies while they hibernate. Many popular viewing sites in the North, like Canoe Creek State Park in Pennsylvania, have few bats left. Some good news, however, is the recent discovery that a soil bacterium that keeps bananas from growing moldy shows promise as a preventative treatment for WNS.

BAT-WATCHING TIPS

For the best viewing experience:

• Arrive well before the emergence.
• Don’t shine a light into the bats’ roost.
• Keep your voice down.
• Check the weather forecast: Rain and temperatures below 50 degrees are not ideal conditions for bats to catch bugs.

DON’T HAVE A BIG COLONY NEARBY?

An electronic device called a “bat detector” can help you locate individuals or small groups of bats feeding away from their roosts. go.scoutlife.org/batdetector

"Here Are 10 of the Best Places Around the U.S. To See Bats" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

Animals are cool. Sports are cool, too. But not at the same time! Dogs and cats often wander onto playing fields, but check out these uninvited critters.

SQUIRRELLY BASEBALL

A squirrel ran between the legs of baseball pro Max Kepler of the Minnesota Twins in a game against the Chicago White Sox in 2019. Kepler was so hyper-focused on taking a lead off of first base that he didn’t even notice his high-speed sidekick. Talk about concentration!

GRASSHOPPER GOAL

Swarms of flying insects have invaded many a ballgame, but one lone insect can usually hang around without being spotted. But how about a mega-sized bug? Colombian soccer star James Rodriguez scored a goal with a humongous grasshopper attached to his sleeve. He never noticed it because Colombia was trying super hard to beat Brazil in the 2014 FIFA World Cup. They didn’t. So much for the popular old belief that grasshoppers bring good luck.

GATOR GOLF

Golf isn’t thought of as a terrifying game, but it is when an alligator joins in! Golf pro Tony Finau was on the ninth fairway at the 2018 Zurich Classic tournament in New Orleans, Louisiana, when a mega-toothed beast took an up-close interest in golf — or maybe in golfers. Not to worry too much, though: Alligators are terrible dry-land sprinters, with a top speed of only 11 miles per hour in very short bursts. They prefer slowly sneaking up on their dinner in water.

LOVE BIRD

2015 defending men’s champion Novak Djokovic kept trying to shoo away a tiny sparrow on the Wimbledon tennis court. It kept flitting around the two players, sometimes within reach, and not even the ball boys and girls could discourage it. The bird kept coming back!

Wimbledon, in England, is the oldest tennis tournament grounds in the world and the most prestigious, birds or no birds.

PLAYING DOWN UNDER

Whoa! Golf pro Sean Walker did a double take on day three of the 2017 World Super 6 tournament in Perth, Australia, when he spotted one of a group of kangaroos that hopped through first-round play. In 2019, a couple of kangaroos got into a fighting match on the fairway!

Kangaroos in the fairway.

Only in Oz… pic.twitter.com/tcXISWfu71

— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) February 16, 2017

DOGGING THE BALL

A Scottish dog named Digby took a real liking to golf balls. So much so that he stalked the 2012 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship tournament until he finally stole world-level champion Paul Casey’s ball right off the 12th green as Casey was lining up a putt. It looked like Casey would have to play the rest of the game with another ball. Then someone stopped Digby near the next tee and got the ball back.

ROAD BLOCKS

One foggy day, a bunch of llamas decided to lie down and soak up heat from a road. Only thing was, they were also in the way of the 2016 Tour de France. The world’s best bicyclists would soon be coming around the bend on the course’s highest mountain peak at 30 mph! Fortunately, the llamas were moved in time, and no one was hurt.

Not something you often see. Route of the Tour de France temporarily blocked by llamas in fog. Photo from TdF Race Radio. pic.twitter.com/RSC5abj6I0

— John O'Connell (@jdpoc) July 15, 2021

"7 Crazy Animal Encounters in the World of Sports" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

Long before dinosaurs appeared on Earth, huge one-pound bugs with wings nearly 2.5 feet wide dominated the skies.

A swarm of those dragonflies might have carried off your tent.

Dragonflies still look much the same today, but they got quite a bit smaller over the course of 250 to 300 million years. Today, the largest dragonfly wingspans reach only about 6 inches. The world’s smallest dragonflies have wingspans of about 0.75 inches.

Dragonflies and their close kin, damselflies, are odonates (“odon” is Greek for “tooth”). There are more than 5,000 species of odonates, and they occur on all continents except Antarctica. About 450 types live in North America.

These insects have sawlike mandibles (mouthparts), which function like sharp teeth. Dragonflies are usually larger and stouter than damselflies — plus they hold their wings open while resting. The smaller, daintier damselflies close their wings at rest.

Damselfly

Dragonflies and damselflies have some really cool names: sundragons, shadowdragons, meadowhawks, pondhawks, skimmers, clubtails, snaketails, jewelwings and rubyspots.

FROM WATER TO AIR

To find dragonflies and damselflies, look near water. Adult females lay eggs either at the surface of still bodies of water, on the ground nearby or on aquatic plants. Once the eggs hatch, the larvae start to grow. Dragonfly larvae are called “nymphs,” and they live underwater, breathing air through their gills. Nymphs eat aquatic insects, tadpoles and even juvenile fish. After they molt many times (taking months or even years), they finally turn into adult dragonflies. As adults, they might live only up to several months.

Empty skin of a dragonfly larva

Once the adults leave the water and take to the air, they become one of the fastest and most maneuverable fliers in the world. Larger species typically fly up to 10 miles per hour, but the fastest ones have been recorded at nearly 30 mph!

Moving up, down, sideways and even backward with ease, dragonflies are incredibly agile fliers (and are also great at hovering). They are such amazing fliers that scientists have been trying to mimic their wing design for tiny air vehicles that might help survey dangerous areas that can’t easily be reached from the ground.

Of the migrating species (only 5% in North America), the wandering glider is the champion distance flier. They have been known to travel up to 4,400 miles!

FROM GREAT TO AWESOME

Unlike other insects that rely more on smell or touch, dragonflies rely almost entirely on vision. Their eyes take up much of their head, and they have tiny antennae to help determine air speed. A dragonfly’s compound eyes are made up of tens of thousands of small lenses, which provide exceptional, accurate vision for hunting prey (with nearly a 360-degree field of vision) and enable some species to see up to 40 feet. Dragonflies can see in color, and many also see ultraviolet and polarized light.

Dragonfly larvae are great hunters, but as adults, they are awesome. They have been documented catching their intended target up to 95% of the time!

They eat flying insects, such as mosquitoes, butterflies, moths, flies and sometimes even damselflies. Keen eyesight, powerful wings and strong spiny legs help them grab and hold onto prey (which they almost always capture in flight) and make them formidable predators.

But dragonflies also have to watch out for predators. Nymphs might get eaten by fish, frogs, toads, turtles and birds, such as herons, ducks and kingfishers. Adult dragonflies in flight are most often caught by birds, although they sometimes get tangled up in large spider webs.

The common green darner can be found in every state.

HOW TO HELP

Loss of wetland habitat is the main reason for decreases in numbers of dragonflies. If you have the space on your property, the best way to encourage these fabulous mosquito-eating insects to live near you is to create a small, permanent freshwater pond. A minimum size to attract dragonflies and damselflies is about 8 feet in diameter. Adding some native aquatic plants and some tall perches will entice them even more.

Bats and birds are their specialties, but wildlife biologists Mark Kiser and Selena Birgit Kiser love all species of critters. Both have worked for the State of Florida and previously worked for Bat Conservation International on such programs as the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail and the North American Bat House Research Project.

"Dragonflies Are Incredibly Agile Fliers and Amazing Hunters" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

It’s a lot of work to earn Eagle. It’s also a lot to earn a BSA Distinguished Conservation Service Award.

You must provide clear, written evidence that you planned, led and carried out two substantial long-term projects. (One of the projects can also serve as your Eagle Scout project, assuming it is related to conservation.)

We’re here to tell you: It can be done.

WHERE DO I BEGIN?

Interested in starting down the road toward a BSA Distinguished Conservation Service Award? Start with the workbook, available for free. It’s long, so take your time. It’s packed with tons of useful information and will give you a clear idea of what you’re getting into.

Next, find yourself an advisor. An advisor is an adult with experience who can help you get where you want to go. Learn more at go.scoutlife.org/conservationadvisor.

BSA DISTINGUISHED CONSERVATION SERVICE AWARD PROGRAM

The new BSA Distinguished Conservation Service individual awards are granted by the National Council through the local council’s conservation committee to a member of a Scouts BSA, Sea Scouts or Venturing unit for exceptional and distinguished service to conservation and environmental improvement.

You must complete two conservation projects. Both must be designed to address a conservation issue or need in the local area and must benefit the environment or the creatures that live there.

The BSA Distinguished Conservation Service Awards are presented for distinguished service in natural resource conservation. The awards are:

• Youth: BSA Distinguished Conservation Service Award
• Adult: BSA Distinguished Conservationist
• Organizations and Individuals: BSA Distinguished Conservation Service Award Certificate

In 2020, a similar program called the William T. Hornaday Awards was discontinued, and the BSA Distinguished Conservation Service Awards program was launched. We spoke with three recent winners of the previous award to get their advice.

Trevor Burke, Troop 577, Dallas, Texas

Where He Is Now: Double majoring in mechanical engineering and mathematics and studying pre-medicine at Southern Methodist University in Dallas

His Projects: Trevor’s Eagle Scout project — which also counted as a conservation service project — focused on clearing invasive pecan trees in Texas’ Blackland Prairie Ecological Region. As he learned more about the region and the challenges it faces, he became more determined to do what he could to help.

The soil and climate of the Blackland Prairie is perfect for crops. That’s good news for agriculture — but not good news for the plants and animals native to the region. Over the years, as more and more land was converted to crop production, native plants and animals were forced out.

“I found a sense of like, ‘Wow, this ecosystem is special.’ It’s home to a lot of unique plants and animals. And it is dying off. My goal was to help save the prairies as much as I can and make a difference as best as I can.” Once he got the pecan trees under control, Trevor focused next on removing invasive grasses.

Hundreds of years ago, early farmers learned that native prairie grasses didn’t grow as fast as the grasses imported from overseas. Johnson grass became more and more popular, because it grew back quickly after being grazed by livestock. Eventually, it overwhelmed the native grass species.

Trevor developed a plan that reintroduced native grasses in concentrated areas, allowing them to slowly spread over time.

The next step was to limit erosion caused by water runoff from surrounding neighborhoods. Trevor took a drainage pipe, rerouted it so that it would divert the rainwater to a nearby meadow, and installed a row of rocks to prevent erosion.

Trevor’s next project involved the reintroduction of native bobwhite quail to the prairie. He raised the birds in a pen himself and released them into the wild. Years later, wildlife cameras indicate quail numbers are on the rise.

His advice: “You’ve got to have perseverance. It’s not always going to be straightforward. Don’t let the setbacks define you. It’s not an easy thing, and it’s not an instant thing. It’s just a matter of solving problems.”

Peter Livengood, Troop 687, Farmington, Pennsylvania

Where He Is Now: Studying fisheries and wildlife biology at California University of Pennsylvania in California, Pa.

His Projects: Peter didn’t know the BSA conservation awards existed until he was almost 17. From that point, it was an all-out race to get it done before he turned 18.

“Some people were like, ‘You’re crazy! You can’t do that!’” he says. “And I said, ‘Sure I can.’”

He certainly didn’t skimp on the hard work.

His first project was sprucing up the bioswales in nearby Ohiopyle. A bioswale is a path where water from sidewalks and streets can flow into an area with dirt and vegetation, which helps filter out pollutants before the water returns to local waterways.

Next, Peter developed a system where he and other volunteers could count the number of raptors that migrate through an area near his community called Chestnut Ridge. Counting migrating birds — and making that data available to the public — is critical for monitoring bird populations.

Peter spent months collecting data that could be used to save a nearby lake that had become choked with vegetation. He and his team went through the painstaking process of identifying all the plants in the lake, recording the water depth at multiple spots, recording the water temperature on an hourly basis and testing the water for nutrients that could be contributing to plant growth.

And, finally, Peter recruited a team to perform a second massive research project, this one on the struggling understory — the layer of plants under the main canopy of the forest — near a local campground. They found that visitors were inadvertently stomping out much of the vegetation.

“We worked with the park manager to develop a plan,” he says. “We put in some tent pads so people would know where to put their tents. We made some recommendations for signage. And we recommended planting more native vegetation to make it look natural again.”

His advice: “For me, it was all I did for eight months. It’s better to keep it manageable. Try to take it slow and plan ahead. It’s never too early to get a head start on these projects.”

James Raubenheimer, Troop 105, Exton, Pa.

Where He Is Now: Enrolled in a four-year master’s program in computer science and applied mathematics at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee.

His Projects: James earned the rank of Eagle at age 14. “I really enjoyed working on my Eagle Scout project more than I thought I would,” he says. “So it became, ‘What’s the next step?’”

James organized and executed a massive tree-planting effort along a stream in his community. Using a mathematical model called the Universal Soil Loss Equation, James was able to calculate how much soil was being lost per year due to the damaging effects of erosion in that area.

“We calculated it for this one area along the stream and found that 27.56 tons of acres were being lost per year,” James says. “We ended up planting around 800 trees, and we calculated that we could take that number from 27 to 0.5 tons of soil lost per year.”

James then set out to help build up the fish population in a nearby lake. Previous attempts to provide shelter for fish with downed trees had produced mixed results. James took the effort to a whole new level by designing, building and installing eight pyramid-shaped wooden structures better suited to provide shelter for smaller fish.

After that, James led an effort to remove invasive brush at a county park. He and his volunteers went after the vegetation with weed whackers and chainsaws, and then pulled the rest by hand. They also placed signs on trees to help visitors learn more about the native vegetation that was supposed to be there.

His final project was to create a website to clearly explain to citizens the tax benefits of implementing policies around their homes that would decrease the runoff of storm water that carries pollutants into local waterways.

His advice: “One of the trickiest parts of all of these projects was the paperwork. You can get overwhelmed. Use the [project] workbook, and have good advisors and mentors. Mine gave me so much good feedback and notes. They really helped guide me through the process.”

"One of the BSA’s Rarest Awards Goes to the Scouts Who Make the Biggest Impact" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

What are some of your favorite outdoor activities? Swimming, fishing or sliding, perhaps? Those are some favorite pastimes for otters, too. Though otters have to spend time looking for food and avoiding predators, they always seem to have lots of time for playing.

PLAYFUL AND OUTGOING

Otters are aquatic or semi-aquatic carnivorous mammals whose closest relatives are weasels and minks. They have long, sleek bodies and long, muscular tails. Their short legs and webbed feet make them powerful, efficient swimmers.

If you could touch an otter, you’d notice the incredibly dense waterproof fur. In fact, it’s the densest fur of any mammal! All those tightly packed hairs trap air, which helps keep the otters warm in chilly waters. They spend a lot of time grooming to keep their fur coats in tip-top shape.

Most otters are sociable creatures that like hanging out, chasing and wrestling with each other. They use high, chirpy notes — along with yelps and other sounds — to communicate among themselves. They are also curious and love to explore. Otters have been known to approach unfamiliar humans just to check us out.

The world’s 13 species of otters are found on all continents except Australia and Antarctica. Most live along freshwater rivers and lakes, with some relying more on land, but some species spend all their lives in the ocean.

The smallest is the Asian small-clawed otter, and the largest is the endangered 6-foot-long giant otter that lives in the Amazon Basin in South America. We have two species in the U.S.: the North American river otter and the sea otter. River otters have a large range and historically were found throughout much of the U.S. and Canada. Sea otters once had a larger range, too, along the entire Pacific Coast, but today they are found in Southern California, parts of Northern California and from Washington to Alaska.

MORE ABOUT RIVER OTTERS

River otters have a tremendously varied diet including fish, crawfish, frogs, reptiles, eggs, birds and turtles. When river otters dive underwater to look for food, they can hold their breath for up to 8 minutes. Their sensitive whiskers help them find food items in murky conditions. River otters raise their pups in dens located along the edges or banks of lakes, ponds, rivers or marshes, and they can access them from underwater, away from prying eyes.

Once, while birding in the Everglades, we happened upon a mother river otter and her baby. They kept calling to one another, and we think the mom was telling her pup that it was OK to come out — that we were not a threat. The pup finally joined her mom in the water, and for about 10 minutes we watched them swimming, playing and grooming.

Just like Scout camps have latrine areas to keep things clean and sanitary, river otters have them, too. Latrines also serve as social hubs for male otters — gathering spots to exchange information — maybe about local fishing conditions or to decide with whom to hang out today. Just before using the bathroom, otters do a kind of “poop dance,” complete with raised tails and foot stomping.

Watch this video or visit go.scoutlife.org/otterdance to learn more.

Otter poop is called “spraint.” Some people think it’s extremely stinky, while others think it smells like flowers. We’ll let you decide that one for yourself.

MORE ABOUT SEA OTTERS

Sea otters do things a little differently than their freshwater cousins. They are less social and rarely leave the safety of the water, so when you see them, they are usually eating or resting/napping while floating on their backs.

Watch this video or visit go.scoutlife.org/otternap for info on how best to view sea otters.

They live among the kelp “forests” in the Pacific Ocean, and they wrap strands of seaweed around their bodies to keep from floating away on the tide. This is especially important when moms have a baby to look after (dads don’t help raise the young). Before she dives down to the ocean floor to look for food, she makes sure
the pup is secured in the kelp so she can easily find her baby when she resurfaces.

Sea otters eat dozens of types of seafood, from crabs and clams to sea urchins and starfish. They even use tools (typically a mollusk shell or rock) to break open their prey, making them one of the few mammals other than primates to use tools. Sea otters will even carry around a favorite rock in their “pocket” (skin folds under their arm).

We’ve had wonderful experiences watching sea otters in California. Once we saw one eating a starfish while floating on her back, and another time we saw a mom tending to her tiny pup curled up on her chest.

HELP SAVE THE OTTERS

Except for the North American river otter, all otter species in the world are in decline and are either endangered, threatened or at risk. River otters in the U.S. were also once on the verge of becoming endangered. Thanks to hard work by caring conservationists through reintroduction programs, restoring water quality and limiting hunting for fur, this species has made a good comeback. Sea otters, on the other hand, while fully protected in the U.S., are still a threatened species. By the 1800s, they were hunted nearly to extinction for their fur but are making a slow recovery.

There are still many threats to otters, including water pollution, vehicle collisions and loss of habitats. Some things you can do to help otters are volunteering for beach and river cleanups, keeping toxic chemicals from going down the drain and picking up after your pets. We hope you get a chance to encounter otters in the wild during your outdoor adventures!

"Fun Facts About a Critter You Otter Get to Know!" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

Hachikō

Hachikō, famous for his loyalty, is memorialized in bronze in Tokyo, Japan. After Hachikō’s owner died in 1925, the dog returned to a train station for years to wait for him.

Winnie

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, has a statue honoring Winnie the bear (named after Winnipeg), who inspired author A.A. Milne to create Winnie-The-Pooh.

Balto

New York City’s Central Park features a statue of Balto, one of the sled dogs who braved dangerous conditions to take medicine to sick children in Nome, Alaska, in 1925.

Tombili

A statue in Istanbul, Turkey, remembers Tombili, a street cat whose hilarious reclining pose photo went viral.

Trim

Animal statues in Sydney, Australia, and London, England, commemorate Trim, a cat who sailed around Australia with Capt. Matthew Flinders, the British officer who named the continent and was the first to map it.

Fala

Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Scottish terrier Fala was so popular that he had a personal secretary to answer his fan mail. The FDR Memorial in Washington, D.C., includes a statue of Fala.

Sergeant Reckless

Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington is home to statues of several horses, including Sergeant Reckless, a Mongolian mare who carried ammunition for the U.S. Marines during the Korean War. She received military honors, including two purple hearts.

Andre

Rockport, Maine, has a limestone statue of Andre the Seal, who was abandoned as a pup and raised by a local diver. Andre is also the subject of a movie and several documentaries.

"8 Awesome Animals That Got Their Own Statue" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

Being prepared with the right first-aid supplies could save your pup’s life in an emergency.

Keep the items below in a gallon-sized resealable bag and label it “Dog First Aid” with permanent marker. Then store the kit in an easily accessible place at home. Don’t forget to pack it if you take a trip with your pup.

WHAT TO INCLUDE IN YOUR DOG FIRST-AID KIT

• RUBBING ALCOHOL AND HYDROGEN PEROXIDE (3% SOLUTION): Use these to disinfect and clean wounds.

•INDEX CARD: Write down your dog’s veterinary emergency phone number and any special health info to share with the vet if your dog gets hurt or sick.

•GAUZE: This will let you clean and protect wounds, as well as control bleeding.

•BANDAGES AND ADHESIVE TAPE: Use elastic bandages to wrap wounds or create a muzzle for an injured dog. Use self-adhesive athletic bandages to temporarily support injured limbs.

•BANDAGE SCISSORS: Snip bandages to the right size with these.

•RESEALABLE PLASTIC BAGS to pack out what you use.

•ACTIVATED CHARCOAL: This can be used to absorb poison.

•TWEEZERS

•NAIL CLIPPERS

•ANTIBIOTIC OINTMENT: This will dress wounds before you bandage them.

•EYEWASH

•RECTAL THERMOMETER WITH PETROLEUM JELLY: Because an oral thermometer won’t stay in your dog’s mouth.

•CORTISONE CREAM: Use this for minor allergic reactions and itching.

•BLANKET

Contact your vet as quickly as possible during a pet emergency.

Never treat a dog showing aggression, and avoid injured dogs you don’t know. A dog with an unknown vaccine history could have rabies and spread it to you.

"How to Make a First-Aid Kit for Your Dog" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

MICROCHIP

A microchip for your dog is essential. Your vet can put this tiny piece of technology under your pet’s skin so if lost and then found, he or she can be tracked back to your family.

REFLECTING DOG LEASH

Anything that makes you and your pet easier to spot on paths near roads and bike routes is a great thing. Stay safe with the Four Paws Nite Brite Reflecting Dog Leash ($23, fourpaws.com).

LIGHT-UP COLLAR

A light-up collar is another important piece of safety gear. The NiteDog Rechargeable LED Collar ($25, niteize.com) is adjustable, water resistant and super bright. The glow will make him one cool dawg.

DOGGIE HIKING BOOTS

Heading for rough terrain? Check with your vet to make sure your dog can handle it. If so, consider getting him some hiking boots. Grip Trex Dog Boots ($75, ruffwear.com) are versatile and help dogs grip the same surfaces that your hiking boots do.

TRAVEL WATER BOTTLE

The Top Paw Travel Water Bottle ($9, petsmart.com is easy to pack and includes a built-in water dish. Making sure your dog has frequent water breaks can remind you to stay hydrated, too.

DOG BACKPACK

If your dog is sturdy enough to carry an extra pound or two, she can carry her own water bottle, treats and first-aid kit with the Singletrak Dog Hydration Pack ($90, ruffwear.com).

FIRST-AID KIT

Besides your human first-aid kit, pack a gallon-sized resealable bag with first-aid supplies to help your four-footed friend in an emergency. Here’s a list of supplies to include in your dog’s first-aid kit.

WASTE BAGS

Leave No Trace applies to dogs, too, you know! Be sure to grab a Cycle Dog Earth Friendly Pickup Bag ($6 for 72 biodegradable bags, cycledog.com) before you go out.

Note: While taking your furry friend along for an outing in pet-friendly areas can be a treat for both of you, pets should never accompany you to a Scout event or outing.

"Gear up Your Pup! Make Hiking With Your Dog Safer With These Gadgets" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

Although tongues are important and useful, let’s admit it: They are a little weird. Here are some of the weirdest tongues out there:

Woodpeckers

Woodpeckers’ tongues attach near the front of their head and travel through the nose cavity, across the skull and then out of their mouths.

Blue Whales

A blue whale’s tongue weighs as much as an elephant and is big enough to hold an entire football team.

Salamanders

Lungless salamanders have the quickest of all vertebrate tongues, moving many times faster than an eye blink. Their tongue is uniquely powered, like a ballistic missile.

Snakes

When a snake flicks its tongue, the tongue collects chemicals in the air, which are then examined by a specialized organ inside their mouth. Their split tongue locates prey by sensing which fork of the tongue receives the chemical information first.

Fish

Some fish have tongues that aren’t real. The blood supply to their original tongue gets cut off by a parasite called Cymothoa extingua, also known as a tongue-eating louse. The parasite then attaches itself to the tongue’s stump and enjoys free food that the fish catches.

"5 Animals With the Weirdest Tongues" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

The monarch butterfly population is in decline. To help out these beautiful creatures that pollinate wildflowers, you can build this protective habitat. It provides access to sunlight and keeps out predators, giving monarchs a safe place to grow before being released into the world.

WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE A MONARCH BUTTERFLY HABITAT

• Common milkweed plants
• Tomato cage or a small section of wire fencing
• A few yards of tulle fabric — this fine netting lets in light and water but keeps out hungry critters
• Scissors
• Twist ties or clamps to secure the tulle

WHAT YOU’LL DO TO MAKE A MONARCH BUTTERFLY HABITAT

STEP 1. BUY AND PLANT MILKWEED SEEDS OR A PLANT. You can buy the seeds and plant in stores, or you can find outlets online. If you choose to go with seeds, it will take about six weeks for the plants to grow mature enough to host monarchs.

Make sure to position the milkweed’s garden plot in an area where it will get plenty of sunlight.

STEP 2. AFTER SIX WEEKS OR SO, INSPECT YOUR MILKWEED PLANTS FOR SIGNS OF MONARCH ACTIVITY (time may vary depending on where you live). They often lay eggs under the first few sets of leaves toward the top of the plant.

The plants you choose to cover and protect should be large, healthy and already home to monarch eggs or tiny monarch caterpillars. You’ll want to leave some milkweed plants uncovered so passing monarchs can use them to fuel up on nectar.

STEP 3. PREPARE THE PROTECTED PLANT. Pick off competing insects and their eggs so only monarch eggs and caterpillars remain. Look under every leaf along the main stem and on the ground around the plant for non-monarch insects.

STEP 4. SURROUND YOUR PLANT WITH THE TOMATO CAGE OR FENCING. Push the cage legs deep into the ground. If you’re using fencing, bury the bottom section so it stays put.

STEP 5. WRAP A LAYER OF TULLE AROUND THE OUTSIDE OF YOUR CAGE, securing it with twist ties or clamps as you go. Cover both the bottom and top perimeters completely with tulle so nothing can get in or out.

STEP 6. CREATE A SMALL DOOR THAT YOU CAN OPEN when it’s time to access your protected plant and release adult monarchs. To do this, clamp some extra tulle at the end that you can pull open like a tent flap.

STEP 7. GOING FROM EGG TO ADULT TAKES ABOUT A MONTH. Check daily for progress and adult monarchs ready for release. You’ll know they’re ready when you see them flapping their bright orange wings trying to get out.

WATCH A TIMELAPSE OF A CATERPILLAR TURNING INTO A BUTTERFLY

We raised Painted Lady butterflies in the BL office. Watch a timelapse:

"How to Make a Monarch Butterfly Habitat" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

There are dozens of live animal cameras on Youtube and other websites, but here are some of our favorites:

PENGUINS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLS2Uxxr8xk&rel=0

Scout Life managing editor Paula Murphey loves penguins because who doesn’t love penguins? They’re sleek in the water and hilarious on land as they waddle around in formal evening attire.

The Kansas City Zoo has one of the best penguin cams around. It’s especially fun to watch at feeding times, 10am and 3pm CT, or underwater!

For another great penguin cam, check out the San Diego Zoo.

ELEPHANTS

Elephants are one of digital editor Bryan Wursten’s favorite animals. They’re huge but still graceful and it’s amazing to watch them manipulate objects with their trunks.

Various national parks and games reserves in Africa have installed webcams. You can often see elephants coming by for a drink, along with other animals like lions, rhinos and antelope. The cameras even have nightvision when it’s dark outside.

For another great elephant cam, check out the Houston Zoo.

GIRAFFES

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PObJaU1B_OU&rel=0

Built on a mountainside overlooking Colorado Springs, the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is one of the nation’s best zoos. They have two live webcams where you can watch giraffes being fed by visitors and zookeepers.

For another great giraffe cam, check out the San Diego Zoo Safari Park or look for giraffes and other African animals on this live camera along the banks of a river in Kenya.

OTTERS

Otters are known for being playful, which makes them super fun to watch. The sea otters at the Seattle Aquarium can often be seen spinning, twisting and diving on this live camera. Check out both cameras to see all the action.

For more great otter cams, check out the Monterey Bay Aquarium or the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.

BALD EAGLES

This nest near a trout hatchery in Iowa is one of the best places to watch bald eagles, but there are plenty of other interesting eagle cams like this awesome nest on Catalina Island.

We also love this backyard camera in Ohio. You won’t see eagles here, but sometimes backyard birds and squirrels can be just as fun to watch.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE ANIMAL CAM?

Make sure to tell us about it in the comments below!

"Go on a Virtual Safari to See Wild Animals" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

These 10 animals have strong bites to help them eat, defend themselves and survive in the wild. To compare, the average adult human’s bite is only 150 pounds per square inch (PSI).

1. SALTWATER CROCODILE

Bite strength: 3,700 pounds per square inch (PSI)

2. AMERICAN ALLIGATOR

Bite strength: 2,125 PSI

3. HIPPOPOTAMUS

Bite strength: 1,800 PSI, strong enough to bite a croc in half.

4. JAGUAR

Bite strength: 1,500 PSI, sufficient to crack a turtle shell.

5. GORILLA

Bite strength: 1,300 PSI. Strong neck muscles help gorillas chew tough plants.

6. POLAR BEAR

Bite strength: 1,200 PSI

7. SPOTTED HYENA

Bite strength: 1,100 PSI, necessary to crush large bones.

8. BENGAL TIGER

Bite strength: 1,050 PSI

9. GRIZZLY BEAR

Bite strength: 975 PSI, strong enough to crush a bowling ball.

10. LION

Bite strength: 650 PSI

"Ouch! 10 Animals With Incredibly Strong Bites" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

Here are 10 interesting facts about the platypus, one of nature’s most unusual animals.

1. A platypus has a body like an otter, a bill and webbed feet like a duck, and a tail like a beaver.

2. They live in Australia.

3. Platypuses are nocturnal. They sleep during the day and are active at night.

4. They spend up to 12 hours each day hunting for food.

5. Platypuses cover their eyes, nose and ears while swimming.

6. When on land, their webbed feet retract to reveal claws that help them walk.

7. Platypuses are 20 inches long and weigh about 3 pounds.

8. Newly hatched platypuses are the size of lima beans.

9. The platypus is one of only two types of egg-laying mammals. The other is a spiny anteater called an echidna.

10. The platypus is one of only three mammals that produces venom. The others are the slow loris and European mole.

"10 Fast Facts About Platypuses" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

COYOTE

Fear and misunderstanding have made coyotes the most persecuted carnivores in the U.S. Able to adapt to almost any environment, they’re now found in many urban areas. They naturally fear humans and run away if encountered, so attacks are rare. But they will harm cats and dogs, so keep pets indoors at night.

OPOSSUM

They might have a reputation as mean, disease-ridden rodents, but opossums can be cute, too. They’re North America’s only marsupials — mammals that carry their young in a pouch (like kangaroos). These nocturnal creatures seldom contract rabies and are not aggressive. When threatened, they might just hiss or even play dead — or “play possum.” They’re also our backyard allies, gobbling up rotten fruit, carrion, insects, ticks and cockroaches.

GRAY WOLF

Demonized in fairy tales, folklore and movies, the “big bad wolf” has faced centuries of persecution. But in reality, wolves are wary of people and pose a minimum threat. There have been just two recorded human deaths in North America caused by wolves since 1900. Pet dogs kill about 30 people every year.

AMERICAN BISON

They’re not lazy, overgrown shaggy cows; these are dangerous wild animals that can run up to 35 miles per hour and weigh up to 2,200 pounds. Despite warnings, people still get too close, often for selfies. Bison in Yellowstone National Park injure more people than any other animal in the park, and a 2000 study claims they’re more dangerous than the park’s bears.

MOUNTAIN LION

Sensational news coverage of mountain lion attacks exaggerates their actual danger. For the most part, this elusive big cat (also called cougar, puma and panther) avoids humans. There have been fewer than 30 human fatalities caused by mountain lions since 1890. But if you do encounter a mountain lion, don’t run, as they’ll think you’re prey and chase you. Stand tall and make yourself look bigger by raising and waving your arms.

"The Truth About 5 of North America’s Most Misunderstood Animals" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

Sea turtles are some of the most ancient and fascinating creatures around, their oldest ancestor having shared Earth with dinosaurs 120 million years ago. Today, seven species of sea turtles roam the world’s oceans. Five of those species nest in the U.S.

LOGGERHEADS

Found in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans, loggerheads are the most abundant sea turtles in the U.S. Loggerheads are named for their large noggins, and their strong jaws help them eat hard-bodied mollusks, crustaceans and fish. Loggerheads are 2.5-3.5 feet long and typically weigh 155-375 pounds.

GREEN SEA TURTLES

Green sea turtles are real globetrotters, nesting in 80-plus countries. In the U.S., they are mostly found in Hawaii and Florida. Green turtles start out life as carnivores but switch to a seaweed and seagrass diet as adults. They are 3-4 feet long and weigh 240-420 pounds.

LEATHERBACKS

Leatherbacks are so different from other sea turtles that they’re in their own family. Named for their leathery skin, they lack a hard shell. As the largest turtles, they can be 10 feet long and weigh 2,000 pounds, but they’re usually between 4 and 6 feet and 660-1,100 pounds.

Leatherbacks travel the farthest of any sea turtles — migrating up to 12,000 miles annually — and dive the deepest, down to 3,000 feet in search of jellyfish, their favorite food.

HAWKSBILLS

Hawksbills are small tropical turtles that sometimes nest in the U.S. They hang out around coral reefs, where they use their narrow, beak-like jaws to eat sponges, anemones, squid and shrimp. They were hunted almost to extinction for their ornate shells.

Scientists recently discovered that hawksbills biofluoresce (they glow, but they don’t make their own light) — the first reptiles known to do so.

KEMP’S RIDLEYS

The smallest and most endangered sea turtles are Kemp’s ridleys; they are 2 feet long and weigh 70-110 pounds. Juveniles live along the Atlantic Coast, but as they mature, they move to shallow waters in the Gulf of Mexico. Their mighty jaws enable them to eat clams and crabs.

To help increase their numbers, the National Park Service incubates hatchlings and has public releases at Padre Island, Texas. You can cheer on hatchlings as they scamper toward the water!

FLATBACK AND OLIVE RIDLEY

The flatback is mostly in Australia, and the olive ridley is found in warm regions of the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic Oceans. It swims in U.S. waters but does not nest here.

WHERE CAN YOU SEE SEA TURTLES?

Your best chance of seeing sea turtles in the wild is during nesting season from May to October. Sea turtles nest on Gulf Coast beaches from Texas to Florida, on the Atlantic Coast from Florida to Virginia, and also in Hawaii. Although sea turtles don’t nest along the West Coast, you might spot them swimming and feeding offshore if you go out in a boat or kayak.

The easiest and safest way to see wild sea turtles is to join a guided night walk, where you can see a female laying eggs near the dunes. Guides use red lights and take other steps to minimize disturbance to turtles.

HOW CAN YOU HELP THE SEA TURTLES?

All sea turtles are endangered or threatened, but some species are making comebacks. One reason for their decline is pollution. Plastic in the ocean can look like jellyfish or other foods, and turtles might choke on it or get it lodged in their gut. Fishing nets sometimes drown turtles, and bright lights in coastal areas confuse hatchlings and cause them to crawl away from the ocean. Some adults are hunted for skin, shells and meat.

Conservationists are making a difference. Turtle-friendly light fixtures, which don’t confuse hatchlings, are standard in many coastal areas. Improved fishing gear, such as lanterns on commercial nets to help turtles avoid them, and TEDs (turtle excluder devices) built into shrimp nets so they can escape if caught, save many turtles.

A simple way to help is to remove everything when you leave the beach — chairs, all plastic and garbage — to keep a nesting turtle from getting entangled. Even smoothing out sand castles before you leave helps turtles travel the beach safely.

"Meet the 7 Species of Sea Turtles" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

Each state has an official state animal. Can you match these creatures to their state?

"Can You Name These Official State Animals?" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

Many animals are capable of amazing feats. From whales diving nearly 10,000 feet to tiny hummingbirds flying nonstop for 1,300 miles, there’s no shortage of impressive tales. Sometimes, however, those feats are exaggerated or are simply not true.

Here are a few of the most popular animal myths.

MYTH NO. 1: Birds will abandon fallen nestlings touched by humans

Birds have a poor sense of smell (vultures are one exception). However, the myth persists that if you return a fallen baby bird back to its nest, the parents will reject it because of your scent. Actually, bird parents don’t recognize their young by smell. So if you find a baby bird on the ground, one with few or no feathers, you may replace it in the nest (if it’s safe to do so) or you can call a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.

But if the nestling already has most of its feathers, it’s best to simply leave it alone, as the parents will continue to feed and take care of it.

MYTH NO. 2: Rhinos stamp out fires

The rhinoceros was believed to be attracted by campfires, and it would rush over to stamp out and “devour” the fire. European explorers brought these myths back with them from Asia with no scientific evidence to back them up.

Over time, the public got its continents and rhino species confused (there are five species in Asia and Africa), and the supposed fire-eating Asian rhinos eventually became the fire-trampling African rhinos portrayed in movies and TV.

MYTH NO. 3: Sharks can detect a drop of blood from miles away

Unlike birds, sharks have an excellent sense of smell. Shark nostrils are lined with specialized cells that can detect tiny amounts of certain substances. As the myth goes, some sharks’ “noses” are so keen that they can detect one drop of blood from miles away or a drop in the equivalent of an Olympic-sized swimming pool. (That’s like a pinch of salt in 2,000 pounds of potato chips.) But not so fast, say marine biologists.

According to the latest research, a shark’s super sniffer is limited to more like several hundred yards (more like finding a drop in a backyard pool). While that’s still remarkable, it’s not quite as scary as in the movies!

MYTH NO. 4: Ostriches stick their heads in the sand

At 9 feet tall and weighing about 250 pounds, the ostrich is the world’s largest bird. As the myth goes, a frightened ostrich will bury its head in the sand to make itself “invisible” to predators. If that sounds like a “bird-brained” way to escape danger, you’re right!

The ostrich is one of the fastest land animals around (sprinting up to 43 mph) and over long distances can outrun cheetahs, lions and hyenas. However, when threatened, it will sometimes lie on the ground and play dead. When this behavior is seen from a distance, the ostrich’s head might not be visible, giving the false impression that its head is buried. Give the bird a little credit!

MYTH NO. 5: Giraffes sleep only 30 minutes a day

Giraffes, the tallest animals in the world, are not unlike many kids who refuse to go to bed on time. According to various myths, giraffes never sleep at all or sleep only half an hour per day. Why would they choose not to snooze? To keep their eyes constantly peeled for lions and other predators on the African plains.

That reasoning actually is sound (in part; they also need to spend a lot of time digesting their food). But in reality, these nearly two-story-tall critters actually sleep about 4 1/2 hours a day. That’s still not much, so how do giraffes get by on so little shut-eye? Their secret is power naps — lots of them. Giraffes get much of their sleep in five-minute bursts, sometimes with one eye open. They also manage to catch a good bit of their Z’s while standing up — the better to make a quick escape if danger appears.

MYTH NO. 6: “Blind as a bat”

While their quirky flight style might be the origin of this myth, the truth is that all bats can see. Most bats don’t see colors as well as other mammals do, but they have awesome night vision, plus ultra-sensitive ears and echolocation (biological sonar). These super powers help them find food and avoid collisions. (Contrary to another myth, getting tangled in women’s hair isn’t a problem.)

Some insect-eating bats use a combination of vision and echolocation to hunt, orient and navigate, and some nectar-eating bats can even see ultraviolet light. These are wavelengths that humans can’t see, enabling bats to spot tasty flowers (that they help pollinate) blooming at night. The largest bats, called flying foxes, don’t need to echolocate, since they have good daytime and color vision, along with a keen sense of smell to find fruit.

MYTH NO. 7: Camels store water in their humps

Right at home in the deserts of the Middle East and Northeastern Africa, the Arabian camel is well-adapted to extreme heat. It can go months without drinking water in the winter and up to five days in the summer. How does it do that? As the myth goes, camel humps function as water storage reservoirs.

In reality, though, those humps are full of fat — up to 80 pounds’ worth — of which camels live off when food and water are scarce. It also helps that camels’ bodies are built for conserving water.

"7 Animal Myths That Everyone Thinks Are True" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO BUILD A BAT HOUSE

• 1⁄2″ x 30″ x 36″ sheet of exterior plywood (Don’t use pressure-treated plywood; it’s toxic to bats)
• 1⁄2” x 26″ x 36″ sheet of exterior plywood
• 1″ x 4″ x 40″ board for the roof
• Two 1″ x 2″ x 24 1⁄2″ boards for interior frame
• 1″ x 2″ x 36″ board for interior frame
• Four 1″ x 2″ x 3″ wood spacer blocks
• Crosscut saw
• Pocketknife
• One quart of dark exterior water-based stain
• 53 1″ exterior wood screws
• Seven 1 5⁄8″ exterior wood screws for the roof
• Drill
• 1⁄2″ drill bit for vent holes
• 3⁄32″ drill bit for screw pilot holes
• Countersink bit so screws are flush
• Phillips screwdriving bit
• Two squeeze tubes of exterior, paintable caulking
• One quart of exterior water-based primer
• Two quarts of exterior black or gray water-based paint
• Paintbrushes

WHAT YOU’LL DO TO BUILD A BAT HOUSE

Step 1: Cut out all the bat house boards.

Step 2: Use your pocketknife to scribe shallow grooves (less than 1⁄16″ deep) across the inside of the back sheet of plywood, about 1⁄4″ to 1⁄2″ apart. The grooves help bats grip the plywood.

Step 3: Run a bead of caulk onto the contact surfaces of the interior frame and spacer blocks, and then screw them in place. All surfaces that are in contact with each other should be caulked before screwing them together. Caulking acts as a gasket, sealing out water.

Step 4: Drill 1⁄2″ vent holes. In cold climates, you need only three or four vent holes.

Step 5: Stain the interior of the bat house, including the plywood, frame and spacer blocks. Allow the stain to dry.

Step 6: Caulk and screw the back panel to the frame and spacer blocks. Be sure to drill pilot holes to avoid splitting.

Step 7: Caulk and screw on the roof. A drop of caulking in each screw pilot hole will help waterproof the bat house and keep the inside dry.

Step 8: Paint the exterior with primer, then apply two coats of paint. Use black paint for colder climates and gray paint for warmer climates. Attach the bat house to a building or other structure. Face it south or east, about 10′ to 12′ off the ground.

PHOTOS OF COMPLETED BAT HOUSES

Check out these photos of the completed project sent to us by Boys’ Life readers. If you have a photos of a BL Workshop project, please use the form below to send them to us.

"How to Build a Bat House" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

Let’s test how closely you’ve observed animals in this challenge to select what their eyes look like!

"Can You Identify These 5 Animal Eyes?" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

Check out these wildlife photos taken by Boys’ Life photographers, and then send us your wild animal photos.

Wildlife Photo Gallery

Click on images to see animals in a larger photo gallery.

Important Note: Please only upload photos of wild animals. Because of privacy rules, we can’t post any photos that show people’s faces. Always ask for your parent’s permission before uploading anything to a website.

"Spotted an Animal in the Wild? Add It to Our Wildlife Photo Gallery" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

"Can You Name These Birds?" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

Droppings, known as scat, can tell you which animals have been in the area. See if you can identify which animals left the scat in these photos.

"Can You Identify This Animal Poop?" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

Here’s a list of a few extinct animals, endangered species and some that might still make it back from the brink.

Extinct

DODO BIRD
Fast Facts: The dodo was a small, flightless bird that lived on an island in the Indian Ocean. Humans who settled on the island brought dogs, cats, monkeys and other animals that found an easy meal in the dodo. Man also destroyed much of the forests in which the bird lived. By the late 17th century the dodos were gone.

THYLACINE
Fast Facts: A top-level predator (like a wolf), the thylacine lived in Australia. The species died out in the 1930s when it couldn’t compete with dingos (a wild dog introduced to the region by man) and farmers who didn’t like the thylacine going after their sheep.

PASSENGER PIGEON
Fast Facts: At one point, the passenger pigeon was probably the most common bird in the world. Man hunted them mercilessly for food until every single one was gone. A 14-year-old boy shot the last wild passenger pigeon in 1900; the last one in captivity died in 1914.

Endangered

RED WOLF
Fast Facts: This rare wolf was extinct in the wild by 1980 before being reintroduced in a region of North Carolina. Habitat destruction and hybridization with coyotes have threatened the animal, which in the early 1900’s roamed across most of the eastern section of the United States.

GIANT PANDA
Fast Facts: Experts disagree on how many giant panda live in the wild, with numbers ranging from 1,000 to 3,000. Massive chunks of the panda’s forests have been cleared out for industry. The Chinese government has created more than 6,000 square miles of panda reserves.

CALIFORNIA CONDOR
Fast Facts: In 1986, researchers estimated that there were only 17 California condors left in the wild. Thanks to human management and reintroduction, there are now a few hundred living on America’s West Coast. The birds were threatened by an extremely low birth rate and the use of the pesticide DDT.

Possibly Back From the Brink

COELACANTH
Fast Facts: The coelacanth (said SEE-luh-canth) is the oldest living species of fish. It was thought to have gone extinct nearly 100 million years ago until one showed up off the east coast of South Africa in 1938. This fish can grow to more than six feet long and weigh about 200 pounds.

IVORY-BILLED WOODPECKER
Fast Facts: This large and rare woodpecker was considered extinct until one was spotted (and more were heard) in Arkansas in 2004. After the Civil War, millions of acres of the woodpecker’s forests were destroyed for timber. Every male and female pair needs about 10 square miles of habitat to find enough food. Despite reports of a comeback, many experts remain skeptical, and the species is still considered to be critically endangered.

ARAKAN FOREST TURTLE
Fast Facts: An extremely rare species of turtle that lives in the Arakan hills of Myanmar, a country in Southeast Asia, this turtle was missing in action from 1908 until 1994. After being caught for food for decades, only a handful exist in captivity, and very few are thought to live in the wild.

"Photo Gallery of Extinct and Endangered Animals" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

Some animals have amazing natural camouflage. Can you find where they’re hiding in these photo?

Can you spot the jackal?

Can you spot the Pallas’s cat?

Can you spot the dog?

Can you spot the ghost crab?

Can you spot the deer?

Can you spot the lizard?

Can you spot the owl?

Can you spot the bird?

Can you spot the tree frog?

Can you spot the snake?

Can you spot the Nubian ibex?

Can you spot the three crocodile fishes?

Can you spot the golden jackal?

Can you spot the monitor lizard?

Can you spot the giraffe?

Can you spot the giraffe again?

Can you spot the lynx?

Can you spot the bear?

Can you spot the raccoons?

Can you spot the snake?

Can you spot the frog?

Can you spot the wood frog?

Can you spot the leopard?

Can you spot the deer?

Can you spot the rattlesnake?

Can you spot the frog?

Can you spot the timber wolf?

Can you spot the bird?

Can you spot the insect?

Can you spot the ducks?

"Can You Spot 30 Hidden Animals in These Photos?" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

A mountain lion was spotted last summer walking down a sidewalk in San Francisco, California, which is bordered on three sides by water. That mountain lion might have even crossed the Golden Gate Bridge — a coyote has been caught on camera doing just that.

Small mammals like squirrels, mice, rats, skunks and possums have always lived in cities. Most are nocturnal, spending their days sleeping in bushes, basements or sewers, and then coming out to hunt or scavenge for their meals at night. What’s new is that larger animals that once lived only in the wilderness are coming into towns and cities in growing numbers.

Here’s a roundup of some recent urban and suburban wild animal sightings.

OH, DEER!

Deer flock to cities to munch on shrubs, lawns and gardens because wilderness lands have shrunk. They also come because it’s safer, with few mountain lions — their main predator — bold enough to enter cities.

This is not good. Deer kill and injure more Americans than any other animal — not with their antlers, but by dashing in front of cars and causing accidents.

LIONS AND FOXES AND BEARS (OH, MY!)

Mountain lions, also known as cougars or pumas, like deer the way you like ice cream. But they fear people, so they follow deer into cities only when they’re really hungry. Red foxes have little fear and are now more concentrated in cities than in the wild. And bears routinely visit towns to raid dumpsters and garbage cans.

A mountain lion once tried to enter a hotel in Reno, Nevada, and another has lived in Griffith Park in Los Angeles, Calif., for nearly five years. Black bears have hibernated under houses in New Jersey suburbs and broken in to cabins and cars in many mountain towns.

WILY COYOTES AND RAUCOUS RACCOONS

Coyotes might be the boldest four-legged migrants to cities and towns. They have been seen on the prowl within a few miles of the White House and now populate some of America’s largest cities. Raccoons are also just about everywhere.

Coyotes are abundant in Chicago, Illinois, and have even been spotted at the big, crowded Navy Pier amusement park. They hunt for food (mostly mice and rats) each night after sleeping in the bushes all day. Raccoons, which have paws similar to human hands, have been spotted opening jars and refrigerator doors in their search for food in houses.

CREEPY CREATURES

The world’s largest urban colony of bats is in Austin, Texas’ state capital. About 1.5 million of them live under the Congress Street Bridge, and each summer 100,000 people watch them fly out and darken the sky at sunset.

In Miami and other Florida cities, alligator encounters are common, but despite their reputation, they rarely attack people. Florida residents have found alligators in their garages and swimming pools.

Many kinds of snakes like water, so they often slither into people’s hot tubs, causing quite a surprise to the first person to step in! In Miami, the fire department has removed hundreds of pythons — which can be up to 12 feet in length — from swimming pools. Part of the problem is that people have been releasing pythons into the “wild” when they can no longer keep them as pets.

WHY DO ANIMALS LIVE IN CITIES?

HABITAT: Hillsides that coyotes once ruled are now covered with homes, and the swamps that alligators once patrolled have been drained to become golf courses. Many animals simply refuse to leave their homes after humans move in.

FOOD: As cities and farms occupy more of the world’s land, wilderness shrinks, forcing wild animals into cities for food. Our garbage cans and sewers are like all-you-can-eat restaurants to them.

WATER: The smartest, most adaptable animals discover that even during droughts there is water in cities, where lawns are still watered and golf-course ponds remain full.

STEER CLEAR!

Even wild animals that seem shy and harmless can bite or hurt you if you get too close. Setting out food is also a bad idea, because they’ll expect more and keep coming back.

Pets are at a greater risk than people. Cats and small dogs should be kept inside at night if you live near coyotes, and walking a dog next to Florida ponds — where gators could be lurking — should be avoided.

"Wild Animals Invading America’s Cities" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

Social Weaver Bird

Social weaver birds build nests that weigh up to 2,000 pounds. Sometimes the nests become so huge and heavy, they topple the tree that holds them. As many as 500 of the sparrow-sized birds work together to create a structure so sturdy, it can last a century.

Termite

Termite colonies in the African savanna can be 90 feet wide. Other abodes can be thin and tall like a fortified wall. Tunnels and corridors create ventilation in the searing heat. Inside, you’ll find nurseries for the young and storage for food. Because of the fertile, aerated ground, trees can spring up on flatter colonies, too.

Southern Yellow Jacket

Millions of southern yellow jackets lived in a 6-foot-high, 8-foot-wide colony in a remote section of central Florida. This dwelling housed so many occupants that it included thousands of queens. Since these southern yellow jackets create nests lasting multiple seasons, just one can harbor nearly as many residents as New York City.

Indian Harvester Ant

It’s a mystery why Indian harvester ants form round, 18-inch-diameter embankments to their nests. One scientist believes these raised, concentric circles made of clay might bring more air into their home. Or it might be a way to divert water during storms.

Trapdoor Spider

Knock, knock. Who’s there? The trapdoor spider! It digs a 10-inch tube and lines it with silk. The spider uses silk as a hinge along with dirt, vegetation and saliva to make a door. After laying silken trip lines near the entrance, it patiently waits for an insect to trip a line. Then it pounces!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oa7GGLx0Y_8

Beaver

It’s so huge, astronauts can see it from space. This giant beaver dam in Alberta, Canada, (seen below) is more than 2,800 feet long and up to 14 feet tall. It features a thriving community of chompy relatives and dates back to the 1970s. Why so big? The beavers banded together to create massive wetlands for food and protection.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJjaQExOPPY

Bower Bird

Found mainly in Australia and New Guinea, the bower bird creates a vertical portal made of twigs. Then he decorates the surroundings with colorful objects like bright blue bottle caps, shiny coins or white shells. It’s all done in the name of love. The bower bird will also dance to attract a female.

Long-Jawed Orb Weaver and Sheet-Web Weaver Spiders

One mammoth spider web near Dallas, Texas, covered an expanse of 200 yards and rose to 14 feet. The communal webs, built by long-jawed orb weaver spiders, resemble beautiful shrouds (inset). They appear when there’s a lot of grub around — in this case, midges (small flies). Another communal web of sheet-web weaver spiders near Memphis, Tennessee, blanketed an area that stretched half a mile.

Japanese Puffer Fish

On the bottom of the sea, the Japanese puffer fish works 24 hours a day for a week to create an intricate circular pattern in the sand. If he stops, the waves wash it away. The result reminds some scientists of mysterious crop circles. But there’s a method to the puffer fish madness: He wants to attract a mate.

"9 Amazing Animal Architects" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

Check out these naturally glowing plants and animals.

Team Firefly

Fireflies, the most common bioluminescent creatures, use their lights to search for love. Throughout the Central and Eastern U.S., fireflies light up summer nights. Each June, you can see thousands of synchronized fireflies flashing together at the Great Smoky Mountains’ Elkmont Campground.

Warning Light

When the Motyxia millipede, the manylegged creature of California’s Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks, gives off its eerie greenish-blue light, it’s a warning. Predators such as mice that are hungry for an evening snack will get cyanide poisoning if they dare to dine on these insects.

Glowing Down Under

Glowworms (scientifically, Arachnocampa luminosa) are found only in New Zealand and can be seen hanging by the thousands in the 30-million-year-old Waitomo Caves. They lure prey such as flies and millipedes into what appear to be long, lighted fishing lines.

Bioluminescent Bay

The water glows at night! In Mosquito Bay off twhe coast of Vieques, Puerto Rico, millions of half-plant and half-animal organisms called dinoflagellates (a type of plankton) light up the night. Whenever their water habitat is disturbed, they give off a blue glow. There are as many as 720,000 of the organisms per gallon of water.

Glowing Jelly

Crystal jellyfish are found in the Pacific Ocean off the U.S. West Coast, from Puget Sound in Washington to San Diego Bay in California. They flash blue lights and sometimes turn green, too.

Glowing Down Deep

At least 1,600 feet below the ocean surface you’ll find the loosejaw dragonfish. This creepy predator sports huge fangs, and its body features red, blue and green “lights.” The red one shines like a flashlight on the dragonfish’s food, mainly krill and shrimp.

Enchanted Mushrooms

There are 71 known species of glowing mushrooms, the brightest of which (Agaricus gardneri ) grows in Brazil’s state of Piauí. In the United States, you can find foxfire in the autumn woods. Benjamin Franklin suggested using it to light one of the first submarines.

Crazy Coral

No one knows exactly why the coral of the Cayman Islands’ Bloody Bay Wall give off light. Some say the light screens out ultraviolet rays from the sun. Others say it attracts prey.

Check out the glowing coral of Bloody Bay Wall

World’s Most Humongous Fungus

In Oregon’s Malheur National Forest, the giant, tree-consuming Armillaria solidipes fungus — better known as the honey mushroom — now covers 2,200 acres. Most of that’s underground. Its mushroom caps light up the forest with a greenish hue. Scientists estimate the organism is at least 2,400 years old.

"Let it glow: A look at naturally glowing plants and animals" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

In this video, biologist Shawn Heflick tells us about the anaconda, one of his favorite snakes. This green snake with dark markings grows to more than 25 feet and is right at home in the water. A native the Amazon River Basin, it feeds on caimans, small tapirs and capybaras, large water rodents. Like all constrictors, the anaconda bites its prey and coils around it, tightening the grip each the animal exhales, suffocating it. The snake extends its flexible jaw and swallows its victim whole, head first.

To find out about some of Shawn’s other favorite snakes, check out his article in the August 2011 issue of Boys’ Life magazine.

"Shawn Heflick’s favorite snakes" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

Steven Haddock is doing his best to illuminate what’s in the darkest depths of our oceans. As a marine biologist for the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) in California, he has studied his share of unusual and mysterious organisms.

Take a look at this video of some of the cool-looking undersea creatures found by MBARI, and then read about becoming a marine biologist in the June 2011 issue of Boys’ Life magazine.

"Check Out These Cool-Looking Undersea Creatures" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.