CONSERVATION

There are 350 species of turtles, from the gigantic leatherback sea turtle that can weigh as much as a motorcycle, to the tiny speckled padloper tortoise that’s smaller than your hand.

Here is a Wild & Wacky Work Fact: Turtle Tracking Goes High-Tech Herpetologists often use satellite tags and GPS devices to track turtle movements across oceans, rivers, and forests. Some sea turtles travel more than 10,000 miles a year—and herpetologists follow them virtually to study migration routes and nesting sites.

 Today, we’re throwing a hive-five to some of the smallest — but mightiest — critters on the planet: BEES!

World Bee Day isn’t just about the sweet stuff (although we do love honey on our toast). It’s a global shout-out to these buzzing super-pollinators who make sure our fruits, veggies, nuts, and flowers keep growing. Without bees, there’d be no apples, almonds… or chocolate. Yep, let that sting in for a second.

But bees are more than just pollination pros — they’re also community champions. Every bee in the hive has a role, from foragers and nurses to guards and the queen herself. They work together like a finely tuned machine, showing us how teamwork, dedication, and a little wiggle-dance communication can get the job done.

Here are 10 wild & wacky fun facts about bees that are sure to make your brain buzz:

1. Bees have smelly feet.
   Yep! Bees leave behind scent markers with their feet to let other bees know which flowers have already been visited.

2. Bees can recognize human ...

Happy World Dog Day, Critter Saver Champions! Today, we’re celebrating our couch-loving pups, and we’re howling for one of the wildest, most amazing canines on Earth: the African Painted Dog!

With their big ears, speedy legs, and splashy fur coats, these pack-powered predators are true animal all-stars—but with fewer than 7,000 left in the wild, they desperately need our help.

They’re endangered due to habitat loss, disease, and human conflict, but conservation heroes (and future pros like you!) are stepping up to save them. So let’s bark loud and proud for our wild cousins and keep the spirit of World Dog Day racing strong across the savanna!

Hey Critter Saver Champions!

Did you know that today isn’t just any ordinary Friday? It’s Endangered Species Day—a special day to shine the spotlight on the rarest, wildest, and most wonderfully weird animals on our planet that need our help.

From the whisper-soft flutter of a Monarch butterfly’s wings to the thundering swim of a vaquita (the world’s rarest marine mammal), endangered species remind us just how wild and wonderful the world really is. But they also remind us that we have work to do.

Let’s be honest—these animals can’t speak up for themselves, but we can. And that’s what today is all about!

How many endangered species can you name?

How many endangered species can you name?

This Mother’s Day, we’re celebrating some of the animal kingdom’s wildest and wackiest moms! From super-sacrificers to sneaky strategists, these animal moms show us there’s more than one way to raise a family. 

These sky-soaring scavengers are full of surprises. Here are 3 Wild & Wacky Facts about them:

1. They Can Smell Dinner from Miles Away.

Unlike most birds, turkey vultures (nicknamed buzzards in some places) have an incredible sense of smell. They can sniff out a dead animal from over a mile away—even through thick forest! It’s like having a built-in radar for finding snacks... if snacks were dead animals.

2. They’re Nature’s Clean-Up Crew

Buzzards eat dead animals (called carrion), which might sound nasty, but it’s super important for keeping the environment clean. Without them, the world would be full of rotting carcasses, spreading disease everywhere. So yeah, they’re basically the unsung heroes of hygiene.

3. They Poop on Their Legs to Stay Cool

Yep, you read that right. When it gets too hot, buzzards poop or pee on their legs to cool themselves off, this weird behavior, called urohidrosis, works like sweat for them. Gross? Yes. Effective? Also yes. Buzzards genuinely have no ...

This special day encourages us to appreciate and protect those oft-misunderstood creatures that share our world. As someone who runs a conservation leadership club for young people, I would love some fun facts about Spiders and why they are so important.

Spiders are not just creepy-crawlies; they play a vital role in maintaining the balance of our environment. Best of all, they offer Natural Pest Control. Yes, that’s right, Spiders are nature's pest controllers. They help keep populations of insects like flies and mosquitoes in check, which is essential for maintaining healthy ecosystems. So don’t squish or step on them. Simply let them eat up the bugs around you!

Hey there, Awesome Animal Lovers! Did you know that January 21 is Squirrel Appreciation Day? Yep, it’s a whole day dedicated to those fluffy-tailed acrobats that zip through trees like woodland ninjas. Whether they’re burying acorns for the winter or just making you laugh with their quirky antics, squirrels are some of the coolest critters around. So, let’s take a moment to appreciate these little nut-hoarding superheroes and learn more about how we can celebrate them today!

Fun Wild & Wacky Facts About Squirrels 

Squirrels are more than just your backyard buddies. Check out these wild and wacky squirrel facts:  

• They are nature’s gardeners! When squirrels bury nuts and forget where they put them, those nuts can grow into trees. They’re basically accidental forest farmers.  
• There are some species of squirrels that can fly! Okay, not like airplanes, but flying squirrels can glide from tree to tree thanks to a special flap of skin. Talk about a superpower!  
• They are super smart....

Have you ever thought about having a job that lets you hang out with penguins all day?

Today, we are waddling Into the World of Penguins and looking at the career of a Penguinologist—yes, it's a real thing, and yes, it’s as cool as it sounds! So, grab your snow boots or sandals, and let's dive into the icy terrain or sandy beach of the adorable and utterly fascinating world of studying penguins. 

Click Here to Listen to the Full Podcast!