Mayflies are a common sight during the springtime and early summer, especially if you are near a source of water like a lake, river or creek. Mayfly nymphs live underwater for anywhere from several months to a few years, depending on species and water conditions.
There are more than 400 species of flycatcher birds in the world today, with most of them being found in Central and South America. But there are plenty of flycatchers in North America, too, since we have about 35 species occurring here.
Most foxes are secretive by nature. North America is home to both gray and red foxes, and both tend to be nocturnal and mostly hunt at night. But the gray fox seems to be even more elusive than its slightly larger cousin, the red fox.
When it comes to creatures that most people don’t like, snakes are always near the top of the list. In fact, there is a word for people who have an excessive fear of snakes: ophidiophobia.
Mergansers are diving ducks – not dabbling ducks like mallards, teal and pintails that feed at or near the surface of the water.
Although most people think of lakes and ponds as normal turtle habitat, the relatively small eastern box turtle is a bit different.
Grackles are common birds in North America, especially if you are talking about the common grackle. But another grackle, the boat-tailed grackle, is a coastal species, found almost exclusively along the Gulf Coast and our eastern Atlantic Coast.
Moths are interesting creatures. They usually do most of their flying and feeding under cover of darkness, so most people don’t see them very often.
Most people have seen the dark image of vultures slowly circling high overhead, either on TV or in their own personal lives. Sometimes they are circling over roads and sometimes over open farm land.
Much to the dismay of people who don’t like snakes, there are dozens of species of snakes living in the United States today. In fact, there are more than 50 different species of snakes here – and if you count subspecies, the number grows to more than 250!
Pelicans. Anyone that has been to Florida is likely familiar with pelicans. But the pelicans which are so common in the sunshine state or even some of the other Gulf states during the summertime are mostly brown pelicans.
Anyone who has a vegetable garden or flower garden has probably seen a common garden slug. These slimy gastropods are actually a type of mollusk, similar to a snail, but they do not have a protective shell. Their scientific name is Arion hortensis.
