The Buzz

You can sleep soundly tonight knowing that there's no truth to the legend that we swallow eight spiders a year in our sleep.

A furry brown critter swimming around in the water can be any of several animals. Learn to tell the difference between two likely suspects.

You probably know about gray squirrels and fox squirrels, but they aren't the only tree squirrels scurrying around Will County. The red squirrel is their less-common cousin, and it's found in a few Will County preserves.

Groundhogs are enjoying their annual day in the spotlight, but there's a lot more to them than just the silly notion that Punxsutawney Phil can predict when winter will end.

There's been a lot of buzz about the cicadas that will emerge this summer after spending 17 years underground, but we won't be seeing or hearing these cicadas across northern Illinois. We won't see our next big emergence until 2024 — and it could be a show-stopper.

Our birds are disappearing at an alarming rate. Saving them may seem overwhelming, but there are many simple things you can do at home to help.

Mange is an infection caused by mites and, while the mites themselves are not deadly, animals infected with mange can die if left untreated.

Winter's wacky weather keeps us on our toes, but before you stock up on salt to keep your driveway and sidewalks clear, make sure you know how much you really need to use.

Test your knowledge on this 10-question quiz.

Adding a little sparkle to your life may have negative effects on our waterways when that sparkle comes in the form of glitter.

Every snowflake is unique, or at least as best as we can figure out. It's probably true that no two snowflakes are alike, but the sheer number of snowflakes makes it virtually impossible to determine with certainty.

Short-eared owls are a little different than many of the other owls in Illinois. They are also endangered in our state.

Among birds, woodpeckers stand out for their uniqueness. Learn what sets them apart from other birds.

Even so, when given the choice, most of us choose to spend most of our time indoors. Animals, though, don't exactly have a choice. 

Test your knowledge on this 10-question quiz.