Want to know what Candid Critters has found over the years? Have questions about the project? Unsure about animal identification, or areas where we need more data? Then check out some of our blog posts! You’ll not only stay updated on Candid Critters happenings, but you’ll also be able to learn more about the science with each post!
March 13, 2019 With spring right around the corner, it’ll be a great time to go outside and enjoy the nice weather. But while many of us may be taking a relaxing walk, many of the squirrels around you are hard at work. Squirrels in North Carolina are active all year round, but the beginning of spring is an especially important time when female squirrels become new mothers. Read More
February 10, 2019 Conservation biology, preservation of species populations…what do these ‘-ation’ terms mean? Why is the word ‘conservation’ used instead of ‘preservation’, and what is the potential end goal when considering these terms as an act on a particular species or habitat? Read More
January 14, 2019 Many Candid Critters citizen scientists begin working on the project by setting a camera in their backyard. More often than not, these deployments show squirrels, deer, raccoons, and other wildlife that many of us see frequently near our homes. Of course, this leaves us wondering how much wildlife like to use these suburban areas, and if there are species that are species that are able to use these habitats better than others. Read More
December 10, 2018 Historically, white-tailed deer and North American elk are two cervids (hoofed ruminant mammals) that have ranged the woodlands and forests of North Carolina. However, it is believed that sometime in the late 1700s, the last known elk remaining in North Carolina was shot and killed. This issue was widespread, as many other states and regions began losing this marvelous cervid, and, by the early 1900s, hunting groups and conservation organizations were worried about losing this species forever. Therefore, people from all over the country united to set out to protect this species from permanent extinction. Read More
November 14, 2018 Next Thursday, tables across the country will look virtually identical: creamy mashed potatoes, bright yellow corn, warm brown gravy, and a big ole’ oven-baked turkey will be served to family and friends from far and wide. Each year, Americans consume 46 million turkeys on Thanksgiving alone, making this seasonal event a big chunk of the revenue for the turkey industry. We eat it every year, but many of us don’t think too much about the iconic bird that sits on our dinner table during this November celebration. As you think back to the fundamental beginnings on which this country was built, take a minute to learn about the charismatic fowl that has become a symbol for one of the most widely-celebrated national holidays Read More
October 5, 2018 Cats and bats and rats – oh my! Every year, when we’re out trick-or-treating with children or having that spooktacular Halloween Party with our closest friends, these animals seem to always appear in scary decorations. But why do we affiliate these little critters with all things evil? Read More
September 17, 2018 With the recent hit of Hurricane Florence, we’ve been asked a few times how wildlife can survive such catastrophic events. Where do animals go? Can they survive the winds, the rain, and the flooding if they get stuck? Read More
August 14, 2018 I think most of us can agree that it’s always exciting to see photos of cute little fawns in lush meadows, big black bears roaming the woods, and male turkey toms displaying their beautiful, multi-colored plumage. But why does Candid Critters, along with many other scientists, care so much about photos of wildlife? Are biologists just excited to see adorable animals like the rest of us, or is there a purpose to their interest? Read More
.
June 29, 2018 We need to know what animals are found in the “data deserts” of North Carolina. Our volunteers have done a fantastic job running over a thousand wildlife cameras and capturing over 47,000 photos of wildlife, but we still need your help to run cameras in a few counties that have not yet seen much, if any, Candid Critters activity. Read More
.
January 8, 2017 One of the biggest misconceptions about North Carolina wildlife is the existence of cougars, or black panthers, in our state. The cougar is a big cat known by many names including panther, mountain lion, puma and up to 80 more, but these are all the same species, Puma concolor. Read More
.
October 19, 2017 Learn more about how Clara, Katie, and Meridy worked with Candid Critters to get their Silver Award in Girl Scouts! Read More
.
December 15, 2016 There are twenty armadillo species in the world and all live exclusively in Latin America, except one. The nine-banded armadillo has been slowly but steadily making its way north from Central and South America. In fact, it has recently made it all the way to North Carolina! Read More
November 18 2016 The phrase stuck in a rut describes a “blah” feeling we endure when our life is monotonous, unchanging and lacking in excitement. Summer is over, the days are getting shorter, and you may be feeling like you’re stuck in a rut. Did you know that deer all across our state have fallen in a rut too? Their experience is very different, defined by fights and excitement, rather than boredom. Read More
.
October 31, 2016 If you know where to look, there are some subtle but definitive telltale signs that will help you spot the differences when you are confused by which canid is on your camera trap! Read More
.
October 17, 2016 Do you ever wonder what animals lurk in the most wild parts of the state? Or in your own backyard? Still waiting for photographic proof of a North Carolina mountain lion? Big foot? North Carolina’s Candid Critters is your chance to discover the secrets of wildlife right here in North Carolina! Read More