Given the prominence of feeding activity, and the sheer volume of supplemental food dispensed into the environment, it is worthy to examine the impacts of feeding on nature and to improve one’s understanding of the proper care and responsibilities that come with feeding wild birds.

An overview of information to help readers improve knowledge and understanding of human interactions with snakes common to Virginia and methods to avoid conflicts with these often maligned animals.

This brochure provides information to improve readers’ knowledge and understanding of black bears and discusses various options designed to minimize negative consequences from our interactions with black bears in Virginia.

Aquatic biodiversity is the rich and wonderful variety of plants and animals—from crayfish to catfish, from mussels to mayflies, from tadpoles to trout—that live in watery habitats. It is the number of different native species, or species richness.

Biodiversity is declining globally at rates unprecedented in human history. Aquatic fauna in the United States are especially threatened; freshwater species are disappearing at a rate two to five times faster than native land animals. Causes of this decline include habitat loss and fragmentation, channelization of streams, dams, aquatic invasive species, pollution, and warming water temperatures. Humans actions to reduce the loss of aquatic biodiversity include preventing further habitat loss, restoring degraded habitats, stopping the introduction and spread of invasive species, and reducing pollutants and erosion.

Natural aquatic habitats include ponds, lakes, rivers, streams, springs, estuaries, bays, and various types of wetlands. Some of these habitats are shallow and others deep, some are cold-water and others warm-water, some are freshwater and others saltwater, and some have high oxygen levels and others little oxygen.

Nearly 300 species of mussels inhabit freshwater rivers, streams, and lakes in the United States. This is the richest diversity of mussels found in the world and an extraordinary natural heritage that needs protection. Because of the lustrous, pearl-like interior of the shells, some of these pearly mussels have important commercial value in the cultured pearl and jewelry industry.

Of the approximately 500 crayfishes (some times called crawdads or crawfish) found on earth, about 400 crayfish species live in waters in North America, and about 353, nearly 70 percent of the world’s total species, inhabit waters in the United States.

Fish are cold-blooded animals with a backbone, gills for breathing underwater, and paired fins for swimming. They live underwater and are dependent on water for dissolved oxygen, support, food, and shelter. North America has the most diverse temperate freshwater fish fauna in the world, but nearly 20 percent of those native freshwater fish species are imperiled, meaning that they are endangered, threatened, or of special concern. Fish are an important part of the food web, key indicators of water quality and ecosystem health, and a source of food and recreation for humans.

This is the largest and most ecologically diverse family of freshwater fishes in the world. Minnows are exclusively freshwater, although some species stray into brackish, tidal waters. Over 290 species of minnows occur in North America.

Frogs can be found in all landscapes, from deep under the water to high in trees. There are more than 100 species of frogs in the United States, and many of these are of conservation concern. This publication describes frog biology, diversity, and conservation issues.

Of the more than 700 species of salamanders found worldwide, more than 200 live in North America, and over 40 percent of these are considered to be at risk. Although these secretive creatures are unknown to many people, they are important parts of our natural world and in serious need of our protection. This publication describes salamander biology and conservation concerns.

Turtles are freshwater, marine, and terrestrial vertebrates with a shell. There are about 300 living species worldwide in 12 families and about 89 genera. Of these, eight species are marine, 49 are land, and about 250 are freshwater to semiaquatic.

Six hundred fifty different species of snails are widely distributed across the streams, rivers, and lakes of North America. There are unique species associated with every type of aquatic habitat from the Canadian Arctic to the Everglades of Florida.

In North America, there are more than 8,600 species of insects associated with freshwater environments during some part of their lives. Just about anywhere you go on the planet, there is some kind of insect that will live in almost any place that stays wet for a week or so. Aquatic insects are important food for fish and waterfowl. They also play important roles in keeping freshwater ecosystems functioning properly. This article describes the biology and ecology of aquatic insects, the major groups of aquatic insects found in freshwater habitats, and how to observe them.

Of the many wildlife management practices the private landowner can do, few are as rewarding as those which favor wood ducks. Wood ducks and a multitude of other wildlife species respond readily to managed wetlands.

Small home pond gardens support aquatic plants and also attract a variety of wildlife. Turtles, frogs, birds, snakes, lizards, and raccoons as well as many other animals may use these ponds. Most wildlife needs water to survive and will seek out ponds for drinking, bathing, habitat, and in some cases, reproduction.

The area where an organism lives and meets its basic needs for food, water, cover, and space to survive is called its habitat. Each species of wildlife has different habitat requirements.

This publication provides an overview of the study of mammals in Virginia. It includes an up-to-date listing of mammals found in Virginia and information on the biology and natural history of mammals. The intended audience is Virginia Master Naturalist volunteers and others seeking to gain a basic understanding of this topic.

Catfish aquaculture is an important agricultural commodity in Mississippi with most of the production. occurring in the Delta region of the state. A vital factor in managing these farms is reducing fish loss from bird depredation. The most notable bird species that consume catfish are Double-crested Cormorants.

Because of the coyote's versatility, adaptability, and its current wide distribution throughout Virginia, the likelihood of encountering a coyote is real. Thus, residents of the Commonwealth should become more aware and informed about the traits and behaviors of this species to avoid undesirable interactions. This publication provides basic information about the coyote, its expected and normal behaviors and other life history aspects, and suggestions on how to minimize or avoid problems that can arise from our interactions with this fascinating creature.

Estimates of the economic damage caused by meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) and woodland voles (formerly pine vole) (Microtus pinetorum) exceed $5 million annually to agricultural commodities (e.g., vegetable and grain crops, fruit orchards, flowering bulb production), nurseries, Christmas tree plantations, residential landscape plantings, and woodland parcels recently replanted with pine seedlings. This publication focuses on methods to resolve problems associated with the injurious meadow and woodland voles.

Several different insects are found in Virginia that cause concern due to their large size and coloration. They are for the most part harmless and just curiosities of nature.