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TopClicks
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Animals, Pets & More
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Insects & Creepy Crawly Things
Atomicweb: Steve's Ant Farm - Every time we visit this site showing an ant farm, the view reminds us of Auntie Em's farm in The Wizard of Oz . The cyclone's just struck, carrying Dorothy off, and everyone else is hiding in the root cellar. Yet, below the ground, the ants go on, industriously making molehills out of mountains. Check their activity, or lack of it, but keep an eye on the weather!
Billy Bee Honey Products Limited - To bee or not to bee...but the question is, what do you know about bees? Worker honeybees have many jobs in taking care of their hives. They do the feeding, cleaning, guarding, the long-distance and short-distance flying; they carry pollen, produce honey, and build the honeycomb. To learn more about beekeeping, visit this site, and bee careful!
Butterflies of North America - If you can't find your favorite butterfly here, it's possible you really want the Moths of North America page (see separate entry). Pick your state and see a checklist of the butterflies to be found there. Most entries offer at least one color photo, as well as lots of information, like what types of plants you might find that species' caterpillars eating.
Butterfly Guide - You love butterflies, especially when they visit your yard. You wish they'd stay around longer, though. This site tells you what kinds of plants you need in your garden to attract caterpillars and butterflies, especially the really pretty and unusual ones. For example, if you want the beautiful, light blue spring azure butterfly to hang around, you need to plant aster, butterfly weed, and dogwood trees.
Children's Butterfly Site - This great little page has a coloring book featuring the metamorphosis of a caterpillar to a butterfly. There's also a terrific frequently asked questions file. What's the difference between a butterfly and a moth? How do butterflies go to the bathroom? Where do butterflies go in the rain? Can butterflies communicate with each other? The answers are surprising!
Construction of a Web - If you've ever wondered how spiders make those beautiful wheeled webs, this very simple site will show you the ropes. Do you think you could duplicate this feat with a ball of yarn?
Insect Recipes - They say insects can be tasty. Check this site and you will learn how to make Banana Worm Bread, Chocolate Chirpie Cookies, and more. "As seen on the Jay Leno Show," according to this page.
Insect-World - Did you know that insects were often used as medical treatment? Bedbugs were thought to be a cure for malaria, beetle grubs were used as a cure for toothaches, and acid from ants was often used as a cure for neurotic troubles. Others perceived insects as a delicious addition to their diet. On the other hand, insects make great pets! OK, so you may need to convince your mom and dad. Not only are insects small and less intrusive, but generally they are quieter and cheaper to feed. You can even learn how to care for your pet tarantula or cricket.
Iowa State Insect Zoo Live Camera - Direct from Ames, Iowa-it's the Giant Walkingsticks! You may have to wait your turn in line while you watch someone else's fun, but eventually you will gain control of a robotic camera! Use the easy on-screen tool to hunt for enormous insects. When you locate one, zoom in. This site uses streaming video rather than a "one shot every few seconds" web cam. This means you will see the Giant Walkingsticks climb up the plants and eat leaves-on live TV.
Journey North - Help Track Spring's Journey North. Your results will be combined with other reports from all over the U.S., and a map will be created to show where the migratory monarchs have landed. Butterflies aren't the only things monitored here. Besides tracking various animals and birds, this site tracks when the ice goes out of various lakes and rivers, where the tulips are blooming, and where the spring frogs are peeping.
Loveable Leeches - This site sticks to the subject of how to collect, raise, and study leeches. The question is why you'd want to do that. Visit this resource to learn all you can about leech habitat and lore, but try not to get sucked in.
Most Wanted Bugs - The FBIA (Federal Bug Intelligence Agency) is looking for 12 "most wanted" bugs, and they need your help. Study these fascinating mug shots--have you seen any of them? That's unlikely, at least at this close range. The photos were made with powerful microscopes. Each bug has a "rap sheet" listing its name, habitat, and why it's "wanted." Is it a coincidence that they look like space aliens? "Hello, Fox Mulder, please."
Moths of North America - If you can't find your favorite moth here, it's possible you really want the Butterflies of North America page (see separate entry). While you're here, check out the delicate beauty of the luna moth (Actias luna).
The Burrow - Just the dirt, please. This is the serious worm place, where worms are elevated to new heights, er, depths. Dig deep here, and you'll find something about worms of all ages, sizes, and squirms.
The Butterfly WebSite - Do you know what the first butterflies of spring are? Here's a hint: they have a blue sparkle about them. Give up? The azure butterflies are the first, followed by the sulphurs, then the whites. But you don't have to wait for spring to see butterflies. There are hundreds of butterflies and moths waiting for your discovery year-round. Find out how to locate moths and butterflies any time of the year. Learn about butterfly gardening and which flowers and plants attract butterflies and encourage them to lay eggs.
The Firefly Files - Hey, did you see that? *FLASH!* There it is again! Must be summer, because that's a firefly for sure. You may know them better as lightning bugs. If you've ever wondered what makes a firefly glow, check here. To attract more fireflies to your yard, stop using lawn chemicals, cut down on outside lights, and let the grass grow a little longer than normal.
University of Kentucky Department of Entomology - Is your class looking for a mascot? How about an insect? Here you'll find some guidelines to help pick the best choice for your classroom. Interested in an insect treat? How about ants on a log? Come on, it's just a stalk of celery spread with peanut butter and sprinkled with raisins! Find out which insects are harmless, like daddy long-legs and millipedes (in the Insect Stories section). Don't go buggy looking at all the creepy stuff here.
Welcome to the Minibeast World of Insects & Spiders - Question: Why was the inchworm angry? Answer: He had to convert to the metric system! For more insect jokes sure to bug you, try this site. You'll also find educational resources here, so you can learn fascinating bug trivia, bug care, and bug facts.
Where Do Butterflies Come From? - Where do butterflies come from? You'll know the answer to that question if you visit this Web page and create your very own chrysalis with a surprise inside!
Worms - These first graders made chocolate-covered worms, and then they ate them. As it turned out, they were delicious (made of butter, corn syrup, chocolate, and other yummy stuff). Then they did some gummi worm math experiments, followed up with some worm poetry and songs, and finally, they drew some worm pictures. It makes you wonder what's left to do in second grade.
You Can - Spider Webs - Why doesn't a spider stick to its web? Try this experiment with Beakman and Jax to find out. Then look at the many different kinds of spider webs, and maybe even collect some using the method described here. But be sure to wait until Charlotte's done with hers before you take it home!
Yucky Worm World - Tractors and earthworms both plow the land, but you don't have to gas up worms. Just give them some garbage or organic material, and watch them go! Learn more about the different types of worms and how slimy, yet beneficial, they are. Send some worm postcards, meet Mary the worm woman, and see a video of a worm hatching.
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