Red Foxes at Dusk

A red fox trots across a grassy field at dusk. Its thick fur keeps it warm as the air grows cool. Foxes have sharp ears that can hear a mouse squeak under the snow or leaves. They eat berries, insects, and small animals. In spring, a mother fox digs a den under a fallen log or in a hillside. She cares for her kits inside the safe burrow. Kits are born blind and stay close to their mother until they learn to hunt. Foxes use their bushy tails for balance when they run and jump. They also curl their tails around their bodies for warmth while sleeping. People sometimes see foxes near neighborhoods at night because foxes have learned to live near towns where food is easy to find. Watching a fox from a distance can help you learn how wild animals adapt to changing places.

Monarch Butterflies on the Move

Every fall, monarch butterflies begin a long journey south. These orange-and-black insects cannot survive cold winters in many northern places. They fly hundreds of miles to warmer lands where flowers still bloom. Monarchs drink nectar from flowers using a long, tube-shaped mouthpart. Milkweed plants are especially important because mother monarchs lay eggs only on milkweed leaves. When the eggs hatch, tiny caterpillars eat the leaves and grow quickly. After forming a chrysalis, the caterpillar changes into an adult butterfly. Some monarchs travel from Canada all the way to Mexico, resting on trees in huge groups. Scientists track monarchs with small tags on their wings to learn about their routes. Planting milkweed in gardens helps monarchs find food and safe places to raise the next generation.