Interesting Nature Notes Part I

From time to time while "mining" the internet or reading one of the many magazines I subscribe to I come across some interesting stuff and as I come across this information I'll share it with everyone.


~ Where does the fox snake get its name? From the "fox urine" smelling musk it douses you with if you pick it up. That doesn't mean if you get musked by a corn snake it will smell like corn....one couldn't be so lucky.(1)

~ In order for the Jack pine to propogate, the resin coated cones must be melted by wildfire in order for the inner seeds to be released. (2)

~ For anyone that provides seed for birds- a word of caution: be sure and store your seed in a container in a cool dry area. If not moisture will cause the growth of mold which in turn forms (something) known as aflotoxin which can sicken or even kill the birds you feed. (1)

~ The Blind Cave Millipede (Chaetaspis aleyorum)- found in caves is a tiny arthropod that feeds on the guano of bats. (3)


References:
(1) Audubon magazine- July-August 2007
(2) Nature Conservancy magazine- Autumn 2007
(3) OnEarth magazine- Summer 2007