Monarchs on the Move

Every autumn, monarch butterflies begin one of nature's longest insect journeys. These orange-and-black butterflies cannot survive cold northern winters, so millions fly south toward warmer forests. Some travel more than two thousand miles from Canada and the United States to mountain woodlands in Mexico. Along the way, they rest on trees and sip nectar from late-blooming flowers. Scientists place tiny tags on some monarch wings to learn which routes the butterflies follow. Monarchs that hatch in late summer often live eight or nine months—much longer than spring monarchs. This special generation makes the full trip south. In spring, their descendants fly north again. Females lay eggs only on milkweed plants. Caterpillars hatch and eat milkweed leaves, which contain chemicals that help protect adult butterflies from some predators. Without milkweed, fewer monarchs survive. Communities…

Beavers: Nature's Engineers

Beavers are large rodents known for building dams across streams. With strong orange teeth, they cut down small trees and drag branches into the water. Mud and rocks hold the structure together. The dam slows the stream and creates a deep pond where beavers stay safe from many land predators. Inside the pond, beavers construct a lodge—a dome-shaped home with underwater entrances. The lodge walls are thick enough to keep the family warm in winter. A beaver family includes parents and kits, or young beavers. They store branches underwater as a food supply when the surface freezes. Beaver ponds benefit other animals too. Frogs, fish, and birds use the wetland habitat. Slow-moving water can reduce erosion downstream. However, beaver dams sometimes flood roads or farmland, which creates challenges for people who live nearby. Wildlife experts often work with communities to manage beaver act…