We'll continue on the theme of "creepy" animals with a look at the Aye-aye and the Vampire Squid.  How are they creepy?  Well, I guess if you want to know you'll need to come into the darkness to find out....bwahahahahahaha!

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My thoughts on being outside in the dark, and what the data says about the impact of wolves on deer populations.  Check it out!

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The world's largest wildlife crossing is nearing completion not too far from Dispatches HQ and a couple of really cool insects that I saw this week.  Check it out!

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With Memorial Day Weekend just passed summer has officially started - that means picnics and picnics mean ants - but did you know that ants have superpowers?  Or that they can become zombie?  Or that they take prisoners?  Learn all about these amazing insects on this episode of the Dispatches from the Forest Podcast!

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In what may have been the first negative Yelp review in history, Ben Franklin said that the Bald Eagle had "bad moral character" and called it a "rank coward".  "1 out of 5 stars: do not recommend".  Ok maybe not that last one but still....This mostly had to do with the interaction between Bald Eagles and Osprey.  Learn more about these two birds of prey in this episode!

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Truth be told, I don't much care for Ticks, but I have to admit that they ARE pretty interesting when you get to know them.  Learn more about these vampiric little arachnids in this episode of the podcast!

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Snakes get a lot of hate - either because people are afraid of them or because they think they're creepy or icky.  But just 7% of the 600 or so species of snake in the world have "medically significant" venom. Most snakes you are likely to encounter are harmless - especially if you just leave them alone.  So let's learn about some of North America's more common "non-venomous" snakes!

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Snot Otter is my favorite nickname for salamanders.  There are over 700 species worldwide, and if there is a common theme to unite them, it's "variability".  These wacky amphibians range in size from an inch to over 6 feet, they can regrow limbs and some are poisonous if you eat them (Don't eat them.)  Learn more on this episode!

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Meet the largest species of deer in North America:  The Elk and the Moose - although in other parts of the world, Moose are called Elk, and Elk are called deer - it's all very confusing - but you can find out how all this confusion came about by listening to this episode!

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You ever feel like you're just bashing your head against a wall?  Well, if you were a woodpecker, you'd do that all the time!  But since you're not a woodpecker, doing that will hurt - a lot!  Learn about how these head banging birds avoid long term memory loss in this episode of the Dispatches from the Forest podcast.

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Prairie dogs are a keystone species of the Great Plains, and as it turns out, they are AMAZING!  You may have FaceBook drama, but Prairie Dog social networking is almost as bad - and they have one of the most complicated vocal repertoires of any animal.  Take a look UNDER the prairie and learn more on this episode of the Dispatches from the Forest Podcast!

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"Oh give me a home, where the buffalo roam and the deer and the antelope play..."  But there were not actually buffalo or antelope roaming or playing.  You can learn more about bison and pronghorn - the ones that were roaming and playing with the deer on this episode of the Dispatches from the Forest Podcast!

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The recording of "Home on the Range" at the end of the episode is in the public domain.  It is sung by James Richardson and was recorded at the Raiford Penitentiary in Florida on March 6, 1939.

What's black and white and red all over?  A penguin with a sunburn!  Learn more about these flightless fowl of the south on this week's episode of the Dispatches from the Forest Podcast!

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There are two animals that are called, at least in English, "Pandas" - the Red Panda and the Giant Panda (aka "Panda Bear").  But other than sharing part of their names, they're not closely related.  Learn more about two of the most adorable members of the animal kingdom on this episode!

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Sea turtles are amazing creatures!  The largest species, the Leatherback Sea Turtle can grow to be over 1000 pounds.  Learn more about these ocean-dwelling reptiles on this episode!

I know plenty of people that would hibernate through the winter if they could.  For the last episode of the year, we take a closer look at those iconic hibernators (or are they?) black bears, grizzly bears and polar bears.

You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and all the rest, but do you know all the amazing features that make Reindeer the perfect animal to pull Santa's sleigh?  Learn all about these amazing and unique members of the deer family!

What's the difference between a native species, a non-native naturalized species and an invasive species?  Good question!  Listen to this week's episode and find out!

I frequently find cool stuff that I want to talk about that just don't warrant their own episode, so this episode is dedicated to some of those critters.  Crayfish, dusky salamanders, ground beetles and a parasite that drives its host to drown itself.  Dig through the junk drawer of my observations!

On this episode we'll take a look at 3 "Non-placental" mammals from Australia: Wombats, Platypuses and Tasmanian Devils.  2 marsupials and a monotreme.  There's cube-shaped poop, butt slams, egg-layng, venom and a whole lot of teeth!  If you need a conversation starter for Thanksgiving dinner - this is the episode you need!

Continuing with a Halloween theme, this episode takes a closer look at some "Halloween adjacent" arthropods - the crawliest of the creepy crawlies: Centipedes and Millipedes.  Some of the first land animals on earth, Centipedes and Millipedes don't just have a lot of feet, they can perform a lot of feats - including glow in the dark - how cool is that?

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Welcome to spooky season!  In ancient Greece owls were associated with protection and wisdom, but sometime in the Middle Ages in Europe they became associated with witches - probably owing to the fact they were nocturnal and mysterious.  Learn about how these amazing birds and how they have evolved to be masters of the nighttime hunt!

Meet the toads and frogs that are commonly found right here at Dispatches HQ: American Toads, Fowler's Toads, Green Tree Frogs, Cope's Grey Tree Frogs, Cricket Frogs and Pickerel Frogs.

Wasps get a lot of hate - primarily because we are afraid of getting stung.  But did you know that of the 4000 species of wasp found in the United States, only 30 - less than 1% - are capable of stinging.  And in addition to being pollinators, wasps provide natural pest control.  Learn more about the fascinating world of wasps on this episode of the Dispatches from the Forest Podcast!

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There is an abundance of wildflowers in bloom here around Dispatches HQ - learn about some of these plants and how they were traditionally used on this episode of Dirt Dispatches!

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I know I said I was going to talk about wasps, but I had another idea - come along with me as I take a hike at Crow's Nest Natural Preserve Area - a 2872-acre peninsula situated between two tidal creek tributaries of the Potomac River in Stafford County, Virginia.  This property has been used by humans for the last 11000 years and with its mature hardwood forests and freshwater marshes it has a fantastic amount of biodiversity!  What did I see?  Listen and find out!

About 80% of flowering plants rely on living pollinators to move their pollen between flowers.  In this episode I'll tell you about just a few of those - Honeybees, Bumblebees, Carpenter Bees and Mason Bees.  Fascinating insects that have incredibly important jobs!

What's this?  Bonus content?  That's right!  I had a chance to go on the radio "Town Talk" hosted by Ted Schubel last week (News Talk 1230 WFVA) here in Fredericksburg, VA with my friend and opossum rehabilitator Karen Brace (check her out at awesomepossumz.com and on Instagram @awesomepossumz1).  We talked about what's involved in becoming an animal rehabilitator and why wild animals should not be kept as pets.  Check it out!

Snakes are one of the most feared and misunderstood animals around.   But snakes, venomous or not, generally just want humans to leave them alone.  Over half of all bites from venomous snakes in the United States are completely avoidable.  Snakes occupy a very important place in the ecosystem.  In this episode I'll tell you why snakes - even the ones with medically significant venom - are not nearly as dangerous and scary as most people think - and why they are worthy of your respect.

When we think of deserts, we tend to think of them as being dry, hot and devoid of life.  But a surprising number of plants and animals are adapted to these harsh conditions.  Learn more about the deserts of the United States, and just a few of the amazing plants and animals that call them home.

Includes the song "Saguaro" by the Austin Lounge Lizards (used with permission).  Check them out at Austinloungelizards.com.

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Nothing beats a perfect summer evening.  Learn more about 2 of the most iconic insects of summer nights: crickets and fireflies - including the dark side of fireflies!  

A micro-animal that can go into suspended animation and survive extreme conditions.  A venomous snail that hunts fish by smell using a poison harpoon.  Another snail with an iron shell.  A crustacean that can punch through aquarium glass.  Sounds like science fiction, but all these animals actually exist!  Come learn about some amazing animals with abilities that will blow your mind!

Turtles have long been associated with longevity due to their long life spans.  They are also the only animal whose pelvic girdle is on the inside of their ribcage.  Learn more about these heroes in a half-shell (turtle power!)

Birds of Prey, or raptors, and humans have a long history together.  Learn about 4 common species of hawk: Red-tailed hawks, Red-shoulder Hawks, Cooper's hawks and Sharp-shinned hawks.  I'll also tell you about the Sparrow hawk and the River hawk - common names for a couple of raptors that are not, in fact, hawks at all.

Access to green space is extremely important not only for physical health but mental health as well.  Learn some ways to get some wild in your life - either in "your" yard or some other green space you have available.

Lemurs are kind of a zoo staple, but how much do you know about them beyond that they're super cute?  Well learn all about these adorable primates on this episode of the podcast!

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There is something mysterious in Chesapeake Bay!  In this episode I'll tell you about "Chessie" - a mysterious creature that has been seen in Chesapeake Bay.  I'll also tell you about Nebraska's Monster of Walgren Lake, and the man behind this creature, John G. Maher - prominent Nebraskan and purveyor of tall tales.

Soft kitty, Warm kitty, Little ball of fur.

Happy kitty, Sleepy kitty, Purr Purr Purr.

I've talked about North America's wild canids: Wolves, coyotes and foxes, so today I'm telling you about the wild felines: Canada lynx, Bobcat and Mountain lions.  I'll also tell you about the domestication of cats and why you should keep your little ball of fur inside.

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In Episode 14 I told you about the defensive capability of skunks which got me thinking about other defensively built animals - Armadillos and Porcupines.  Learn about the amazing capabilities of these 2 defensive specialists!

Peregrine Falcons are the fastest animal on Earth!  They are also the most widespread raptor, but just 50 years ago they were in danger of going extinct.  Fortunately they are making a comeback, and can be found in some pretty surprising places.  Learn more about this incredibly fast and amazing raptor.

Features an interview with Deb Woracek, member of the Raptor Education Team at Fontenelle Forest Nature Center (www.Fontenelleforest.org)

While we are officially only halfway through winter, the signs that spring is near are starting to appear.  In addition to warmer weather, here at Dispatches HQ we've got flowers starting to sprout and we're anticipating the emergence of frogs and salamanders any day now!  Find out about some of the other plants and animals that are starting to appear to let you know that, while you may not be completely done with cold weather quite yet, warmer days are on the way!

We've talked about wolves and coyotes, in this week's episode we talk about the remaining (and smallest) North American canid species: foxes.  There are 6 species of fox that can be found in North America, and while they share some traits, each of them has something that make them unique - from the insulating coat of the artic fox to the "extra sense" of the red fox, there is even a fox that climbs trees!  Check it out!

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In Episode 3 we looked at some overlooked and underappreciated animals.  In this episode we add to that list and take a look at some other animals that, while seldom seen, may be closer than you think:  Deer, skunks, raccoons and groundhogs.  Learn something new about more overlooked critters!

Forest fire is often considered to be a bad thing.  And to be certain, an uncontrolled wildfire in a populated area like we saw recently can be dangerous as well as disasterous.  But fire is a natural part of many ecosystems, and for some species, it is a neccessary part of their life cycle.  Properly used, fire can be a tool that helps maintain the health of our forests and grasslands.  

Features an interview with Michelle Foss, Director of Stewardship and Research at Fontenelle Forest Nature Center in Bellevue, NE.

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How do our animal friends survive the winter?  Well, kind of the same way we do: they can stay active, they can migrate, or they can hibernate.  Listen and learn about each of these winter survival strategies and some of the animals that use them.  If that isn't enough, I'll tell you about "butt breathing" - you don't want to miss THAT!

Once pushed to the brink of extinction for the sake of fashion, beaver are one of our "keystone species".  Secon only to humans in their ability to shape the landscape, beaver are coming back - and doing a lot of good stuff in the process.  Plus I'll tell you about flying beavers - you won't want to miss it!

It's baby season here at Dispatches HQ!  In this dispatch I'll tell you about predator satiation strategies and the plants and animals that employ them!  

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Wolves once roamed all of the lower 48 states until being nearly wiped out in the name of safety and prosperity.   But removing this keystone species had many unexpected side effects.  Explore the world of the wolf, and learn how reintroduction of this keystone species in the Yellowstone ecosystem impacted everything from elk to berry growth to water quality!

You've heard of people like John James Audobon, John Muir, Rachel Carlson and Henry David Thoreau, but how much do you know about Olaus and Adolph Murie?  These two brothers from Moorhead, MN - and their wives - had a profound impact on preserving wilderness, expanding many of our national parks and managing the wildlife who live there.

Founding father Benjamin Franklin was a big fan of wild turkeys - and not just because they taste good.  Listen to this special Thanksgiving episode to find out why Mr. Franklin was so enamored with this remarkable (and delicious) bird.