My Wild Backyard

On this page, you’ll find articles about wildlife you may discover right in your own backyard! 

Insects, Arthropods, and Myriapods

• 16 Things to Know about Fireflies 
• The Amazing Monarch Migration
• Getting to Know Your Arthropods: Black Widow Spider
• Getting to Know Your Insects: Field Cricket 
• Getting to Know Your Insects: Praying Mantis 
• Getting to Know Your Insects: Yellowjackets
• Getting to Know Your Myriapods: Centipedes 

Mammals

• Getting to Know Your Mammals: Chipmunks
• Getting to Know Your Mammals: Coyotes 
• Getting to Know Your Mammals: Eastern Cottontail Rabbit
• Getting to Know Your Mammals: Opossum
• Getting to Know Your Mammals: Raccoons
• Spotting Squirrel Nests in the Fall
• What’s that Screaming in the Woods? 

Reptiles 

• Getting to Know Your Reptiles: Copperhead
• Getting to Know Your Reptiles: The Eastern Hognose Snake
• Getting to Know Your Reptiles: The Rat Snake
• Is there a Black Snake in Your Yard? 

Birds

• Getting to Know Your Birds: Crows 
• Getting to Know Your Birds: Scarlet Tanager 
• Why Some Birds Don’t Migrate 
• Woodpeckers: Drummers of the Woodlands

Fish

• Goldfish: Little Pet, Big Problem

Plants

• Getting to Know Your Plants: Mistletoe 
• Pine Cones for All Seasons

More!

• Are Orphaned Animals Really Orphaned?
• At Home Under the Ground: Animal Burrows 
• Following Animal Trails
• Staying Warm in the Cold 
• Photographing Wildlife