Discover nature this week in Ursus americanus, or the American Black Bear – the largest and heaviest wild mammal in Missouri. The black bear is the only bear found in Missouri and most of them live south of the Missouri River. For black bears in Missouri, the fur is predominantly glossy black; the muzzle is brown, and there is usually a white patch on the chest. Males and females look alike, though females are usually smaller than males. Black bears can weigh anywhere from around 100 to 900

June 28 - July 4 Get outside and discover nature as bats begin to bear their young this week. One way you can discover nature is by helping to protect the Indiana bat. The nocturnal habits of bats, their affinity for eerie places like caves, and silent, darting flight have made them the subjects of folklore and superstition. They’re the only mammals capable of true flight, and they’re active at a time when most people prefer to be indoors. The Indiana bat is known as the "social bat". It summers

Discover nature this week and take the sting out of summer. The perception that stinging insects are instinctively aggressive at any time and place is wrong, and blinds us to the role they play in nature's balance. Many stinging insect species are essential for the pollination of fruits, vegetables and flowers. Others are important predators of pest insects that eat both wild and cultivated plants. However, a sting from a bee, wasp, or hornet is never a pleasant experience. Though Missouri has

Discover nature this week in the belted kingfisher. If you’ve spent much time along Missouri’s streams, you’ve probably heard the chattering call of the belted kingfisher. Missouri Department of Conservation biologist, Danny Brown, wrote about the belted Kingfisher for Missouri’s Conservationist Magazine. He described the bird as one of Missouri’s avian jewels, which you can see for yourself this summer if you keep watch along Missouri’s streams. The kingfisher is often heard before it is seen

June 13 - June 19 Discover nature this week as American toad tadpoles turn into toadlets and leave the water. This is the perfect time to start watching local fishless ponds and witness the transformation through the week. All Missouri toads and frogs must return to a body of water to reproduce and most select fishless bodies of water for breeding. Flooded fields, ditches, woodland and prairie ponds, and temporary pools are their favorite breeding places. Most eggs hatch within 10 to 14 days of

June 7 - June 13 Discover nature this week as snapping turtles lay their eggs deep in the sand. Turtles are generally harmless. Those that live in water eat plants, crayfish, snails, insects, and carrion. They are an important part of the lifecycle in any body of water. Alligator snapping turtles live only in the few natural aquatic habitats remaining in Missouri’s Bootheel. It’s the largest species of freshwater turtle in the world and is said to be very shy. Common snapping turtles are found

May 31 - June 6 Discover nature this week and be on the look-out for a glimpse of red fox kits hunting with their parents. There are two species of foxes in Missouri - the red and the gray fox. Red foxes prefer the borders of forested areas and adjacent open lands while gray foxes live in wooded areas and fairly open brush land. Foxes are primarily nocturnal but may come out in daylight, especially in late morning or early evening. Because they often travel over the same routes, worn and well

May 24 - May 30 Discover nature this week as bird song at daybreak is at its peak. The end of May is the perfect time to learn bird calls and song. The distinction between songs and calls is based upon inflection, length, and context. Songs are longer and more complex and are associated with courtship and mating, while calls tend to serve such functions as alarms or keeping members of a flock in contact. Most song is emitted by male birds and is usually delivered from prominent perches although

May 17 - May 23 Discover nature and put up a nesting box on your property for the eastern bluebird to use this week as it begins its second nesting season of the year. Missouri is a great state for bird watching. Of the approximately 900 bird species in North America, more than 400 have been recorded in Missouri and more than 150 species regularly nest in our state. Missouri’s state bird, the eastern bluebird - with its vivid colors - is a feast for the eyes. The combined warmth of the chestnut

Discover nature this week and find some wild strawberry blooms. Wild strawberries will be in bloom from April to May and the berries can be collected beginning in May through June. This plant’s berries and leaves are in high demand by people and animals alike. The berries, sometimes sweet and sometimes tart, are a favorite of many and can be used to make jams, shortcakes and syrups. When the leaves begin to dry in August, they’re perfect picking for wild strawberry tea, rich in vitamin C. The