Headlines

Birds in Will County come in all shapes, sizes and colors, but it doesn't get any better than spotting a great blue heron gliding over a preserve or patiently stalking its prey on the ground.

Soon, spring peepers will be calling out in the night, letting us know spring has arrived.

A world without mosquitoes might sound nice, but removing one species from its habitat can have far-ranging and devastating consequences.

Is a snake a reptile or an amphibian? How about a frog? These two classes of animals have some similarities, but some key characteristics also set them apart.

If you rely on the myth that moss only grows on the north side of trees to guide you through a forest, you're likely to get lost. 

Icy is slippery; it's one of those things people just know to be true, like water being wet. But the science behind this fact has only recently become well understood. 

The American badger isn't as well-known as many of the other mammals that call Will County home, but these fascinating creatures are exceptional diggers that are known to work alongside coyotes to hunt. 

For some animals, enduring winter is part of their normal life cycle.

Don't feed the animals. We hear it all the time. Yet many of us make a habit of feeding wild birds. Why are birds any different than other wildlife?

For marsupials, only adult females have pouches, and they serve an important role in the reproductive process. 

A walk in the woods or a walk in the forest? Is there even a difference?

Downy woodpeckers are the smallest woodpecker in North America. Learn more about these birds in this creature feature.

Toads and frogs can give you warts? Think again. Warts are caused by a human virus, and you won't get them from handling an animal. 

Groundhogs get a lot of credit as weather prognosticators, but there's no science to back up their predictions. If you really want to know what the weather holds, look for these clues from the natural world.

The cold-weather seed distribution of around 350 different plant species is scheduled for 14 preserves throughout Will County.

Here's how you can identify some of the animal tracks you might find in your yard and beyond.