Wildlife conservation, Backyard Wildlife
ame vanorio
North American Toads

A friend of gardeners. Toads plays an important role in controlling insects and keeping ecosystems balanced. A single adult toad can eat up to 100 insects and slugs per night.

Toads serve as a vital part of the food web. They are a food source for snakes, hawks, owls, and small mammals. As environmental indicators alert us to pollution. They absorb water and oxygen directly through their skin and cannot survive in heavily polluted or chemically treated areas.

This article covers all about what makes a toad a toad and some of the toad species that live in North America.

North American Toads
Wildlife conservation
ame vanorio
Scorpions: Scary Survivors That Glow In The Dark

Scorpions are known for their venomous sting, which they use to paralyze or kill their prey. While most scorpions are not deadly to humans, a few species have venom potent enough to cause serious harm. The fear of their sting adds to their frightening reputation.

Scorpions: Scary Survivors That Glow In The Dark
Wildlife conservation
ame vanorio
The American Bison: Our National Mammal

Bison bring up many romantic ideals of a time gone by. At one time bison ranged over much of the country, a cornerstone species in their ecological niche.

After being nearly exterminated by overhunting they have made a heroic comeback.

The American Bison: Our National Mammal
Wildlife conservation
ame vanorio
Vampire Bats! Are They Out To Get You?

Vampire bats are the only mammals that survive exclusively on a diet of blood. The scientific word is obligate sanguivores. And yes, sometimes they bite humans. There are three species of vampire bats but we are focused on the one closest to us in the United states, the common vampire bat.

Vampire Bats! Are They Out To Get You?
Wildlife conservation
ame vanorio
Nighty Night, Sleep Tight! Hibernation, ...

Rest and Relaxation. Catching some ZZZ’s. Hibernation, Brumation, and Torpor are all animal responses to dealing with the need to conserve energy and slow down. I explain what they are and how wildlife gets through the cold months every year.

Hibernation, Brumation, and Torpor are biological reactions to the environment. By slowing down their metabolic rate animals can conserve energy, have less need for food, and gain the ability to survive lower temperatures.

Nighty Night, Sleep Tight! Hibernation, Brumation and Torpor Explained

Backyard Wildlife

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North American Toads

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North American Toads

A friend of gardeners. Toads plays an important role in controlling insects and keeping ecosystems balanced. A single adult toad can eat up to 100 insects and slugs per night.

Toads serve as a vital part of the food web. They are a food source for snakes, hawks, owls, and small mammals. As environmental indicators alert us to pollution. They absorb water and oxygen directly through their skin and cannot survive in heavily polluted or chemically treated areas.

This article covers all about what makes a toad a toad and some of the toad species that live in North America.

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That Rascally Raccoon

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That Rascally Raccoon

Raccoons are adorable, smart, precocious and they use these attributes to get into trouble. Not that raccoons think “I am going to get in this trash can just to be bad.” But that is what happens.

This article will tell you everything you need to know about raccoons including how smart they are and how to humanely keep them out of your attic and chicken house.

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Angel Wing Deformity In Wild Birds = Human Feeding

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Angel Wing Deformity In Wild Birds = Human Feeding

Angel wing aka airplane wing is a deformity that affects the carpal or wrist joint of growing waterfowl like ducks and geese, causing the wing feathers to stick out sideways instead of lying flat against the body. This can also affect domestic fowl but this article focuses more on wild species.

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Northern Saw-whet Owl: How To Help And Spot Them In The Wild

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Northern Saw-whet Owl: How To Help And Spot Them In The Wild

The northern saw whet owl (Aegolius acadicus) is a tiny bird that ranges over much of North America, so your chances are good that one might live near you. Their breeding range includes southern Alaska, most of Canada, and areas of the northern and western United States.

Saw-whet owls are curious birds, allowing humans to come quite close before flying away. Today we are talking all about the saw whet owl, tips for finding them in nature and ways you can help them.

My Favorite Bird Feeders In My Backyard

My Favorite Bird Feeders In My Backyard

I love feeding the birds in my backyard and I have high standards. I frequently teach others to attract backyard birds both locally and through our YouTube channel.

I have 6 feeders and use different mixes to appeal to different species. I also have a pretty high tolerance for chipmunks and squirrels but have recently acquired a squirrel proof feeder.

So here are the feeders currently in my yard and a couple that didn’t make the cut. Reviews are my honest opinions and I will let you know if I purchased the feeder or if it was a donation.