Articles written by Cheryl Kraynak
Showing 40 Articles
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Wild Turkeys of North America
Once hunted to dangerously low numbers, the wild turkey now thrives in the U.S. and is a fascinating bird to observe in its natural woodland habitat.
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How the Octopus Eludes Predators
Various methods of escape and camouflage are used by different octopus species around the world to avoid becoming prey.
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How to Grow Edelweiss in North America
Beloved by Europeans, the flowering alpine plant edelweiss can be successfully grown and enjoyed in certain climates in the United States.
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The Differences Between Moths and Butterflies
There are a few simple ways to distinguish moths from butterflies by looking at their physical characteristics and behavior.
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How is a Mole Different From a Vole?
People easily confuse the small mammals called moles with those called voles because they have similar traits and behavior, and both inhabit backyard and garden areas.
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Managing the Crown-of-Thorns Starfish
Australia spends millions of dollars every year to monitor and control the Crown-of-Thorns starfish when its population threatens coral reefs.
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The Destructive Feeding Habits of Starfish
Some species of starfish wreak havoc on shellfish populations and coral reefs when an abundance of food and shortages of predators fail to keep their numbers in check.
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Horseshoe Crabs and the Ecosystem
The ancient horseshoe crab of the eastern U.S. and Asia has a special relationship with birds and marine life that helps maintain a natural balance within its habitat.
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Companion Planting in the Garden
Companion planting is a method of organically growing crops in combinations that efficiently use water, nutrients, light, and that naturally control pests and diseases.
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Harvest Time at a Cranberry Farm
Local farmers, in cooperation with a major commercial processor, get fresh cranberries from farm to market each autumn in a $1.6 billion annual business.
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Geomagnetic Navigation in Sea Turtles
Sea turtles have a remarkable ability to use a "compass sense" to help them find their way to regular feeding and nesting areas.
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How Sea Turtles Have Adapted to Ocean Living
Sea turtles have developed unique body characteristics and a remarkable navigational ability that helps them make their way through the sea.
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The Indian Pipe of the Forest
The translucent, flowering plant known as the Indian Pipe is a perennial that relies on small, wood-rotting fungi for nutrients that enable its growth.
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Gemstones More Valuable Than Diamonds
While many people think diamonds are the most precious gems on Earth, some gemstones have unique characteristics that make them much more valuable overall.
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The World's Largest Blue Diamonds
The histories and properties of some of the world's famous blue diamonds make these precious gemstones extremely valuable and fascinating to experts and collectors.
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The Glass Industry in America
Glassmaking businesses in America developed new processes and formulas that made glass a more available and durable product, propelling the industry into the future.
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The Rise of the Glass Industry
Early Middle Eastern glassmakers created the most basic glass items, but as artisans developed new techniques, more glass products were made and spread through Europe.
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How is Glass Made?
Glass is a substance formed in nature and by man, who has refined its basic ingredients to create added features and benefits.
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What is a Poison Ring?
Poison rings were used for centuries to conceal lethal substances and for other purposes, and some historical figures were known to have used them.
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Is a Toad a Frog?
Frogs and toads are not completely alike, but both are amphibians that belong to the same order, and have several differences that set them apart from one another.
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The Salt Industry
Salt, or sodium chloride, is a natural resource that has been increasingly valued throughout history to become one of the biggest industries in the world today.
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How Male Bowerbirds Attract Mates
Male bowerbirds from Australia and New Guinea create complex, decorated nests of different sizes and styles in order to woo their female counterparts.
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The Platypus's Highly Developed Sense
Researchers have found that the river-dwelling platypus uses its bill together with an ability to detect electrical impulses to navigate underwater and find prey.
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What Kind of Animal is a Platypus?
The ancient platypus of eastern Australia has characteristics like mammals, reptiles and birds, puzzling naturalists in earlier times who struggled to classify it.
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Seismic Communication in Elephants
Studies by ecologist Caitlin O'Connell reveal that elephants use bone-conducted hearing, which helps them detect low-frequency vibrations that travel through the ground.
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What Do Koalas Eat?
Koalas are probably one of the most picky eaters on Earth, choosing only a small sampling of food for its diet out of hundreds of available food sources.
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Grasshopper Glacier in Custer National Forest
Grasshopper Glacier in the Rocky Mountains is known for its deposits of this insect species, which has a unique history in the high elevations and prairies of the West.
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Rare Albino and White Animals
There are distinct differences between albino animals and those that are "white," and there are specific traits to look for in order to distinguish these rare conditions.
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Famous Albino and White Animals
People have witnessed a variety of rare albino and "white" animals across the world and gained better understanding about their differences.
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African and Asian Elephants
Physical characteristics of elephants, including ears, trunk, skin and tusks, are noticeably different depending on whether the animals originate from Africa or Asia.
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Olive Plant Well Documented in Bible
The olive tree and its byproducts have historical significance in the Bible and ancient lands, and specimens 2,000 years old may still thrive.
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7 Ways to Attract Wildlife to the Yard
Helping to sustain wildlife in the backyard is a rewarding way to ensure their survival and create appreciation for the natural world.
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Did Slaves Build U.S. Capitol and White House?
African-Americans, both free and slave, are noted by historians to be among those who helped build landmarks like the U.S. Capitol building and the White House.
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Where Do Turtles Go in Winter?
In the northeastern U.S., both water-dwelling and terrestrial turtles must take measures to protect their temperature-sensitive systems from the winter cold.
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5 Common Animal Myths
Certain ideas about the characteristics or behaviors of porcupines, flying squirrels, owls, bats and turtles persist, but they are only myths.
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The Difference Between Dolphins and Porpoises
People often use "dolphin" and "porpoise" as if they are interchangeable terms, but there are key differences that make these aquatic mammals different from one another.
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Pink Dolphins of the Amazon
Researchers are slowly learning more about the mysterious pink dolphin, an ancient river whale that is unique to South America's Amazon and Orinoco River basins.
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3 Lighthouses to Visit in Rhode Island
Year-round, picturesque and proud lighthouses draw visitors and guide boats. A tour to honor them is an inexpensive way to enjoy the southern Rhode Island coast.
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Movie Mystic Pizza Reaches 20th Anniversary
The 1988 coming-of-age film "Mystic Pizza" has reached its 20th anniversary, and the Connecticut town made famous by the story still hosts movie fans year-round.
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3 Lighthouses to Visit in Southeast Connecticut
Year-round, picturesque and proud lighthouses draw visitors and guide boats. A tour to honor them is an inexpensive way to enjoy this part of the Connecticut coast.
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