Raccoons and humans don't always get along. There's a reason for that, and a solution. Truth is, we're more similar than you might think.
Tag: naturalist
Where the Earth Opened Up
Where the Water Reflects the Sky | Part One The depth of our history— humanity’s, life’s, earths, and that of the universe itself— is unfathomable. Yet that is where our series begins—deep time. Before you and I. Before everyone you’ve ever known, loved, or learned about. Before the pyramids, before the mammoths, before the extinction … Continue reading Where the Earth Opened Up
New Study Suggests the Dugong is ‘Functionally Extinct in China
According to a paper published on August 24th, 2022 in the journal Royal Society Open Science, the Dugong is now "functionally extinct" in China.
Can Other Animals Get Sunburns?
When was the last time you saw a roseate rhinoceros, a bronzed bunting, or a peeling porcupine? Can other animals get sunburns?
Class S1E3 | The Demo Model (DEMOSPONGIAE)
Sometimes, things just work. In the case of sponges, there’s the Demo Model.
Crocodiles Would Bankrupt the Tooth Fairy
Crocodiles go through an extraordinary amount of teeth in their lives, and the how and why are just as spectacular.
This Pinocchio-Like Trait Means No Lyin’ Lions
As it turns out, Pinocchio's nose isn't the only one capable of revealing the truth. Want to know how old a lion is? The nose knows.
What Animal has the Highest Blood Pressure?
Typically when we think of high blood pressure, we think of the negatives like high stress and a variety of high-risk health conditions. Yet for some in the animal kingdom, high blood pressure is a mere fact of life. So, what animal has the highest blood pressure?
Why Do Hedgehogs Have Spikes?
Hedgehogs are easily one of the most unmistakable little critters out there, but how much do you know about them
Wild Speeds | Earth’s Top 20 Fastest Animals
The average human can run 7 mph. How do we measure up against our cousins across the animal kingdom? Let's explore the Earth's top 20 fastest animals.
How to be a Naturalist
What exactly is a naturalist? Who is a naturalist? What do they look like? You might have a certain type of person in mind. Maybe an old British guy in a stuffy room full of bugs in glass cases and preserved birds in drawers. Maybe your old British guy is on safari in Africa, donning … Continue reading How to be a Naturalist
Class S1E2: The Art of Glass (Hexactinellids)
Aside from the obviously fascinating fact that these creatures have skeletons made of glass, what exactly are glass sponges?
Bull Kelp
A couple of weeks back, I saw my first ever Bull Kelp at Huntington Beach! Technically, Bull Kelp is a broad name for a genus, Nereocystis, meaning mermaid's-bladder in Greek. The thing about the genus is, it's monotypic meaning it contains just one species: Nereocystis luetkeana. Depending on where you're from, you might call it … Continue reading Bull Kelp
On Birding and Time
This, like many things lately, is a different type of content from The Wild Life. Who knew you could learn so much about authentic expression and finding yourself from producing a podcast? In this episode, I go out for a birding excursion with a major time constraint and ponder on my relationship with time itself. … Continue reading On Birding and Time
Review | Sharks, Lies, and Videotape
“Sharks, Lies, and Videotape: A content analysis of 32 years of Shark Week documentaries” is a stunningly comprehensive report on the ways in which Shark Week, arguably the largest source of shark information consumed by the masses, mixes real science with spectacle and salacious stories.
How to Build An Animal | Part Three
Life is full of branching points on the tree of animal life. The coelom is the next stop on our journey of how to build an animal..
How to Build an Animal | Part Two
There really is no shortage of ways to build an animal, but there are rules to be followed. What better place to start than the beginning?
How to Build an Animal | Part One
There really is no shortage of ways to build an animal, but there are rules to be followed---rules with deep roots.
What Are Animals?
There are 1 to 2 M species of animals described today in every form imaginable. Here are some key traits they all share.
Baby-Blue Bloods
Horseshoe crabs are a biological oddity, a valuable one at that, especially to drug companies who look to them to ensure medicines and vaccines are safe for all of us. And the key is in their blood.
The Wild Life of the Horseshoe Crab
Horseshoe Crabs are some of the most fascinating creatures on the planet, and they are connected to us in ways you never imagined.
The Wild Life’s 2021 Blog Top 10’s
2021 was, indeed, a year. Now, it's finally almost over with a new one about to begin. I decided to sit down and take a look at some of The Wild Life's stats for the year as a way to reflect on what worked, what didn't, and what to keep going into the future. Here … Continue reading The Wild Life’s 2021 Blog Top 10’s
Why do Elephants Have Big Ears?
When you get hot, you sweat. When Elephants get hot, well, they don't sweat. So what's a 13 foot tall and 13,000-pound animal to do?
Reflection: Dead Forests & Living Memories
In her article for The New York Times, “Dead Forests and Living Memories”, Helen paints a picture of a lost landscape, the struggles of restoration and conservation efforts, and the continued threat of globalization on native ecosystems.
Dragonflies & Damselflies: What’s the Difference?
Dragonflies and Damselflies are both super similar to each other, but there are some key differences! (most of the time)
Hairy & Downy Woodpeckers: Spot the Difference
These two little woodpecker species are notorious for their visual similarity, but there are some key differences that can tip you off!
The Tawny Emperor Butterfly
The Tawny Emperor (Asterocampa clyton) Butterfly may be beautiful, but their food sure isn’t. Finding an adult on a flower isn’t likely. Instead, you’ll find them on dead animals, poop, mud, and sap, slurping up broths of minerally goodness.
The Froghopper | DFS #11
This here is a froghopper. They can jump distances over 100 times their body length, accelerate at 4000 m/s^2 (nearly 9,000 mph), and experience 400 Gs while doing it. For context, a typical human could withstand no more than 9 Gs of force, and the average bullet travels at nearly 2000 mph. Where are the … Continue reading The Froghopper | DFS #11
Join Devon on The Wild Life
Have a nature question you want to be answered? Come on the show to have it answered by Devon (and maybe even a special guest) Comment below or email your questions to hello@thewildlife.blog
Dispatches From Somewhere #10: The Golden Silk
Trichonephela clavipes, or The Golden Silk Orb-weaver, may be huge but they look a lot tougher than they act. They’re not aggressive and only bite if handled roughly, and they're super clumsy outside of their web!If you listen to the podcast, you might remember us discussing these with @shakiguani on Tainted Love Part 2! A single thread … Continue reading Dispatches From Somewhere #10: The Golden Silk