EALT turned 15 this year! And for six of those years we’ve been bringing you fun nature facts about mammals, birds, plants and more so that when you Google those burning questions of “what’s the difference between a toad and a frog”, you can find some of those answers from our staff biologists and volunteers. Here are 15 of our favourites and the most popular posts over the years, grouped by category.
What’s the Buzz?
Solitary vs. Social Bees
To start off this walk through the archives, some of the most critical organisms we have in our own backyards! The humble bee comes in many forms, and most are familiar with their habits: they have hives, a queen, and make honey. Not so fast! Alberta is actually home to over 300 species of bees, most of which are solitary, don’t make hives, don’t make honey, and do not protect a queen. Learn all about the differences between the common honeybee and our vast diversity of native species here!
Marvelous Mammals
Next, some blogs featuring some of our local mammals. Have you ever wondered about how and why some mammals change their coats between seasons? Or maybe the differences between beavers and muskrats? We even have a blog about a very unique but lesser-known Alberta mammal, the Northern flying squirrel! Whatever you wonder about our furry relatives, answer some of those questions here.
Snowshoe Hare. Image credit: iStock
2. Colour Changing Animals
This blog describes the seasonal changes that can be seen in some mammals in our hemisphere. These morphing mammals include hares, weasels, foxes, caribou, and lemmings. Find out more here!
3. Rabbit or Hare?
Both are bouncy, fast and adorable, but what are the differences between them? There are more than you may realize! Find out more about the details here.
4. Beaver vs. Muskrat
We have two mammals that may frequently be seen in waterways all over Alberta. If you’ve ever wondered which one you’re seeing as they poke their head out of the water, this blog is for you.
5. Lynx, Cougar, or Bobcat?
Canada Lynx. Image Credit: Gerald Romanchuk
And what about our fantastic felines? Lynx, Cougar, or Bobcat is a blog highlighting the differences between these North American cats. Cougars are fairly hard to mistake for the other two, but lynx and bobcats are slightly harder. Find out more here!
6. Weasels and fisher
This blog tells all about the differences between these two mustelids, which can both be seen in Alberta. Fishers aren’t especially common, but it’s still possible to see them in the Edmonton area. Find out more here!
7. The Northern Flying Squirrel
Lastly, the Northern flying squirrel blog will tell you all about the acrobatic little creature. With deforestation threatening the habitat of the flying squirrel, bringing recognition to this animal is especially important. Read all about them here!
Feathered Friends
The feathered inhabitants of Alberta have also been featured throughout the years we’ve been publishing blogs. These blogs deal with the identification and behaviour of native bird species, and while our selection for this feature only has three, our archive of blogs has many more! Take a look back if you’re interested in our native bird species.
Pileated Woodpecker.
8. All About Owls
Short-eared owl. Image Credit: Betty Fisher
All About Owls is an overview blog about many different owls, all of which can be found in Alberta. From distinct adaptations that help them hunt to their impressive size, owls are a remarkable part of our ecosystems. Learn about them here!
9. Raven or Crow?
Raven or Crow deals with the common confusion that casual birdwatchers run into whenever they see a bird with black feathers: is it a raven, or a crow? Each species sports a few key differences that can help you tell them apart, all of which are detailed in this blog.
10. The Weird World of Woodpeckers
This one’s all about the science behind the woodpecker’s trademark feeding habits. One would think all that knocking would damage the bird’s beak or head, but not so. This blog explains how it all goes down, and more!
Hardy Herptiles
We even have a few features on our cold-blooded species as well! Known collectively as herptiles (frogs, toads, snakes, salamanders, etc.), these species have a surprising arsenal of adaptations to help them survive our winters. Read more about those adaptations in these blogs!
Red-sided Gartersnake. Image Credit: Doris May
11. Hibernating Herptiles
This blog talks all about how these animals have modified their behaviour to survive the cold winter months. While not being true hibernation, it is still an essential part of their life cycles. Read about the fascinating details here.
12. Toad or Frog?
While many may already know the differences, it’s easy to mistake one for the other. If you’ve ever seen a small hopping amphibian out on a walk, this blog will equip you with the know-how to differentiate!
Our Excellent Ecosystems
While many of our blogs deal with species of note and interesting facts about them, what about the amazing habitat that they inhabit? And what adaptations help them cope with the natural challenges they present? We have several blogs that put a spotlight on the amazing natural features in Alberta that the animals above call home, as well as general behviours, and here are just a few.
13. The Subnivean Layer
The Subnivean Layer is a blog about the layer underneath the snow that animals inhabit during the winter. This is a key habitat for most small mammal species in the winter, both predator and prey. Learn about it here.
14. Different Dormancy Details
This is a blog about the different modes of stasis that animals engage in in the winter to wait out the worst of the weather. There’s different technical names for it for different species. If you’ve ever wondered about how butterflies withstand our winter, this blog’s for you!
15. The Many Meanings of Litter
This blog details how the word “litter” is used in relation to the natural world. Some litter is more desirable than other kinds, and you can learn about them all here.
Thank you for joining us for this trip down memory lane! We will be posting more blogs in this series to celebrate our 15th anniversary, so stay tuned for more.
