January 1, 2008: House Finches
The well-named house finch is known for nesting near homes and hanging out at backyard feeders. But their lifestyle once was very different.
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January 2, 2008: Watermelon Snow
For thousands of years, the appearance of red snow has puzzled visitors to high mountain ranges. What causes this phenomenon?
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January 3, 2008: Insects in Winter
What happens to cold-blooded bugs in the dead of winter?
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January 4, 2008: Nest Fauna
Nests are homes for avian families, but smaller animals sometimes take up residence in the cracks and crevices.
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January 7, 2008: Diapause
Many insects can’t tolerate temperature extremes, but some have developed a strategy that helps take them through hard times.
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January 8, 2008: Mixed Flocks
“Birds of a feather flock together,” but at certain times of year, birds of a different feather may also end up together.
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January 9, 2008: Frog and Toad in Winter
These amphibians must protect themselves from winter's frigid temperatures, but they do so in a variety of ways.
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January 10, 2008: Muskrat Design
With dense fur, large webbed feet and sharp teeth, this small rodent is well designed for life in its semi-aquatic habitat.
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January 11, 2008: Baleen Whales
These large mammals with big appetites capture the tons of food they require with a unique filtering mechanism.
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January 14, 2008: Snake Dens
A snake's body temperature is about the same as its surroundings, so during winter, it seeks shelter from the cold.
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January 15, 2008: Northern Nevada River Otter
The Northern River Otter survives on its own except in the vast stretches of desert in northern Nevada, where it needs a helping hand from a fellow river dweller.
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