You Won’t Believe What Porcupines Eat (And No, Not Bigfoot Bones)

Sure, much of the time, the porcupine dines on trees. But it also has a need for salt, and it's coming for your cars, your homes, your guns. And your face.

Matthew L. Miller

Top 10 Night Safaris: When the (Wildlife) Freaks Come Out

Join us for a naturalist's guide to the best night life on the planet. Grab a flashlight and join the party, with a guest list that includes aardvarks, rare wild cats, tree kangaroos and more.

Matthew L. Miller

Splish, Splash: Why Do Birds Take Baths?

Like people, birds love a good bath. But why? Ornithologist Joe Smith dips into the research on bird bathing, and reveals the science—and the mystery—of this backyard phenomenon.

Joe Smith

A Sucker (Myth) Is Born Every Minute

Everything you've heard about suckers is probably wrong. But could a new generation of anglers and self-described "fish nerds" not only rescue the sucker's image, but point a new way for freshwater conservation?

Matthew L. Miller

The American Woodcock: Tribute to a Wonderful Wetland Bird

It has 360-degree vision. It binges on worms. And its spring mating ritual includes some of the funkiest dance moves in the bird world. Meet the American woodcock, a.k.a. timberdoodle.

Bryan Piazza

Antler Tips: Finding “Sheds” in a Forest Near You

Want to find antlers without bothering wildlife? Here's our guide to finding "sheds" in a forest or field near you. Learn a bit about deer, and it's easier than you think.

Matthew L. Miller

Antler Obsession: Can the Search for “Sheds” Threaten Wildlife?

Finding "shed" antlers can be a fun spring pastime. For some, it has become an obsession. And that obsession at times can pose a serious threat to wildlife. An antler enthusiast explores the strange world of "shed hunting."

Matthew L. Miller

10 Field Guides for the Serious Naturalist

Looking to expand your wildlife ID skills beyond the usual bird guide? How about learning to identify dragonflies? Or warblers? Or squirrels and chipmunks? Our blog has you covered with some of the most innovative – and unusual – recent field guides.

Matthew L. Miller

Sea Turtle Tasks: A Night in the Life of a Researcher

Seeing a sea turtle lumber onto a beach and lay its eggs is a spectacular experience and, for researchers, a lot of work. Follow them through a typical night on the beach.

Matthew L. Miller

In Synch: Char & Salmon Migrations in Warming Waters

In Southeast Alaska, salmon are changing their annual migration patterns due to warming waters. Will one of their main predators -- Dolly Varden char -- adapt to the change?

Matthew L. Miller

Winter Bird Feeding: Good or Bad for Birds?

Winter bird feeding is hugely popular, with more than 40 percent of U.S. households participating. But is it actually good for the birds? Ornithologist Joe Smith looks at the science behind this backyard activity.

Joe Smith

Urban Wild: Flying Squirrels of the Beltway

To see the southern flying squirrel, you don't make a trek into the wilderness or visit a national park. You need to visit a small nature preserve a short distance away from the bustling urbanity of the U.S. capitol.

Matthew L. Miller