Nature Guys

Once in awhile we are going to take advantage of Billʼs vast travel experience. In this episode Bill and Bob share nature stories from Belize.

Related episode: Bill's Travel Tips (http://natureguys.org/bills-travel-tips/)

Our sources for this episode include:

• Mayan Culture and History http://www.tulum.com/information/mayan-culture-history/
• Howler Monkey Facts http://interesting-animal-facts.com/Facts-South-American-Animals/Howler-Monkey-Facts.shtml
• Belize Barrier Reef Snorkeling http://www.tropicalsnorkeling.com/belize-snorkeling.html

Bill has traveled the world in his long career. In this episode he shares some tips and tricks to help make sure you can enjoy the natural world no matter how close or far you travel from home. Visit our website at http://www.natureguys.org/ for a list of Bill's tips and tricks!

Learn how and how not to pick up a snapping turtle. These turtles live a really long time. Find out the pros and cons of this strategy. This episode was recorded live at Roads, Rivers and Trails (http://roadsriversandtrails.com/).

Our sources for this episode include:

• To Help Snapping Turtles https://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/snappers.htm
• 10 Awesome Snapping Turtle Facts https://www.buzzfeed.com/turtlefeed/10-awesome-snapping-turtle-facts-ruc?utm_term=.ajANjXPeV#.bepj18Nem
• How would you help a snapping turtle cross the road https://outdoors.stackexchange.com/questions/14121/how-would-you-help-a-snapping-turtle-cross-the-road
• Common Snapping Turtle Facts for Kids https://kidsanimalsfacts.com/common-snapping-turtle-facts-for-kids/

Tune in to find out why deer will not eat ferns. Bill will explain the life cycle of this amazing plant. Bob takes you way back to the time when ferns were eaten by dinosaurs. Find out why the Victorians in Britain had fern fever.

Our sources for this episode include:

• Fern-mania: After the Victorians said they cured madness and boosted your love life - and explorers risked death to find them, the humble fern is sexy all over again http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2111859/Fern-mania-After-Victorians-said-cured-madness-boosted-love-life--explorers-risked-death-humble-fern-sexy-again.html#ixzz5ELu2eZ46
• Seeds and Spores - What Are the Differences http://jakesnatureblog.com/2017/10/30/seeds-and-spores-differences/
• What is a fern? https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/1103-what-is-a-fern
• A mouse that eats ferns like a dinosaur http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_8523000/8523825.stm

Ticks can make you sick. However, if you take a few precautions they will not prevent you from being outside. Join us to find all about these challenging creatures.

Related episode: Opossums Like To Eat Ticks (http://natureguys.org/opossums/)

Our sources for this episode include:

• What Purpose Do Ticks Serve in the Ecosystem? https://www.hunker.com/12192945/what-purpose-do-ticks-serve-in-theecosystem
• Create a Tick-Safe Zone Through Landscaping https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/prev/in_the_yard.html
• Deer Ticks: 7 Facts You Need to Know Now https://blog.vermontcountrystore.com/deer-ticks/
• Ticks are getting worse https://gizmodo.com/ticks-and-insects-are-making-us-sicker-and-theproblem-1825698896

Bobʼs garden is invaded by voles. Tune in to find out why this little rodent is being studied by researchers.

Our sources for this episode include:

• Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management http://icwdm.com
• What Can Rodents Tell Us About Why Humans Love? https://www.smithsonianmag.com/scienceanature/what-can-rodents-tell-us-about-why-humans-love-180949441/
• Voles: These Little Rodents Can do a Lot of Damage https://www.gardensalive.com/product/voles-these-little-rodents-can-do-a-lot-of-damage
• Facts on Voles http://animals.mom.me/voles-5139.html
• Never Cry Wolf by Farley Mowat Book: https://penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/118183/never-cry-wolf#9780735252905 Movie: https://movies.disney.com/never-cry-wolf

Seems like everyone knows something about the Praying Mantis. Tune in to find out some interesting facts that you might not know.

Our sources for this episode include:

• Praying mantises released for pest control are hunting hummingbirds https://www.treehugger.com/animals/praying-mantises-released-pest-control-are-hunting-hummingbirds.html
• 11 wondrous facts about praying mantises https://www.treehugger.com/animals/11-wondrous-facts-about-praying-mantises.html
• 10 Fascinating Praying Mantis Facts https://www.thoughtco.com/praying-mantid-facts-1968525

Who isnʼt happy to see butterflies? Bill loves to look for zebra and tiger butterflies in April and May. Join us to find out how these butterflies get out so early.

Our sources for this episode include:

• Tiger Swallowtail Facts and Info https://animalsake.com/tiger-swallowtail-butterfly
• Common Swallowtail Butterflies http://www.birdsandblooms.com/blog/common-swallowtail-butterflies/
• A Garden for Zebras and Tigers http://blog.nwf.org/2016/02/a-garden-for-zebras-and-tigers/
• Top 10 Plants for Swallowtails http://www.birdsandblooms.com/gardening/top-10-lists-for-gardeners/top-10-plants-swallowtails/?11

Bob is amazed to learn that tent caterpillars are native. He also learns that pregnant horses can be harmed by tent caterpillars. As usual Bill tells us when are where to find these gregarious creatures.

Our sources for this episode include:

• Interesting Behaviors and Traits of Tent Caterpillars - https://www.thoughtco.com/tent-caterpillar-facts-4148139
• 7 facts about tent caterpillars and why they're all over N.J. this spring - http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2016/05/6_facts_about_tent_caterpillars.html
• Eastern Tent Caterpillar - https://entomology.ca.uky.edu/ef423

Bill has a very hard time dealing with the common starling. Bob does his best to bring up some interesting facts about the starling. Join us to see if Bill changes his mind about a bird that many people love to hate.

Our sources for this episode include:

• The Invasive Species We Can Blame On Shakespeare - https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-invasive-species-we-can-blame-on-shakespeare-95506437/
• Even if we don't love starlings, we should learn to live with them - https://ideas.ted.com/even-if-we-dont-love-starlings-we-should-learn-to-live-with-them/
• Fun Facts about European Starlings - http://lansingwbu.blogspot.com/2011/03/fun-facts-about-european-starlings.html
• Why We Should all Love and Help the Humble Starling - https://www.birdfood.co.uk/help-starling