Why did the Amphibian Cross the Road?
The short answer is, to get to the vernal pool! Of course, there’s more to it than that, so here’s a bit more about vernal pools and why many amphibians are now on the move.
Tips from the Deputy Commissioner on Fishing with Dead Baitfish
Whether you’re new to winter angling or a seasoned pro, we have some tips for you!
Signs of Spring
In Maine, March is the perfect time to start taking a moment here and there to notice the changing wildlife sights, sounds, and smells around you.
Lessons from a Lynx
Often referred to as the “Gray Ghost of the North,” due to its perceived elusiveness, the Canada lynx is more fittingly described as calm, aloof, and surprisingly tolerant of human presence. Their long legs and thick-furred paws act like snowshoes to hunt in deep snow and their eyes have mirror-like cells allowing an increase of light available for the lynx to see at night. In addition to these adaptations, the lynx has a keen sense of hearing and smell, making them exceptional predators and equipped at living in deep snow environments.
Be Bear Wise
As the days grow longer, wildlife and humans alike emerge from their homes and dens to greet the warm weather. For many humans, we emerge with some extra “fluff”; we’ve exercised less, stayed inside more, eaten all the delicious desserts over the holidays, and gone through a long phase that I like to call “bulking season.” For our furry friends from bats to bears, winters can be more challenging; presenting little food, frigid temperatures, and the need for exceptional adaptations to ensure survival.
Turtle Talk
Maine has eight species of semi-aquatic turtles that inhabit a number of regions and ecosystems across the state. Turtles are a unique group of reptiles, with an anatomical design that ensures protection from a number of predators. A turtle’s shell, or carapace, is made of hard bony plates covered in scutes, which are the same material as our fingernails. Fused to the inside of their shell is their spinal column and the belly side of the turtle shell, the plastron, are the fused ribs and sternum. So, a turtle’s shell is a unique armor that a turtle physically cannot live without.
The Nature Of Teaching Brings The Maine Outdoors Into K-5 Classrooms
[caption id="attachment_2984" align="alignright" width="496"] Recognizing different types of animal tracks showcases the variety of wildlife that call different habitats home.[/caption] With just several open spots remaining, teachers interested in bringing the Maine outdoors into their classroom should register now for the upcoming Nature of Teaching workshops, created by Purdue University in conjunction
National Safe Boating Week – Saturday, May 20 to Friday, May, 26 - 2017
National Safe Boating Week is a great way to kick off what will be a fun and safe summer on the water. From May 20 - 26, 2017, the Maine Warden Service, Maine Marine Patrol and the U.S. Coast Guard ask boaters to pay EXTRA attention to their boating safety behaviors, and to especially ALWAYS wear their lifejackets.
Enjoying The Bounty Of Your Hunt
[caption id="attachment_2042" align="alignleft" width="300"] Addison Turner, age 9 with her first Maine deer[/caption] Deer hunting in Maine is growing in popularity, and one of the reasons is due to the health benefits and fine taste of venison. Free-range and chemical-free, venison offers more protein per serving than beef or pork, is also lower in fat, and has fewer
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