The striped skunk is rightly associated with the nauseating smell it releases. Its scientific name, Mephitis mephitis, derives from a classical Latin word meaning “rotten unpleasant odour”. Taking advantage of…

By Jeff Swysten Hiking’s simple rule is this: leave only footprints. I like to add: try to avoid that, too. Often I see people avoiding a puddle, thereby widening the…

In a Hallowe’en context, the raven represents the incarnation of evil, damned souls and Satan. At one time, in Europe, a dead raven was nailed to the door of a…

By Jeff Swystun My wildlife encounters have been more fun than scary. Once a fox licked the back of my leg. A large, plump white hare sat on my foot…

Over the past 40 years, wildlife populations have fallen by 60 per cent around the world due to destruction of natural habitats, pesticide pollution and over-exploitation of natural resources. In…

The dandelion, much more than a weed Each spring, lawns, roadsides and paths adorn themselves with innumerable little suns that many people try to destroy, judging that they are merely…