Mystery Critter

by Bethe Almeras, The Grass Stain Guru

It’s Saturday at The Grass Stain Guru and that can mean only one thing — time to play Mystery Critter! Let’s have a little fun and play a guessing game, designed to help us all learn a bit more about the wildlife we are lucky enough to share the planet with. 

So, hope you have your thinking caps on, my beloved readers! Y’all are getting so good at this. I keep having to come up with more clever clues! OK, let’s play. And remember — no cheating! 

CRITTER CLUES:  

• I (or a close cousin) am found throughout North America;
• I am nocturnal;
• I’ve been known to try and blend-in;
• I make my home in trees and shrubs; and
• I have a lot to say!

What am I? Make your guess, and then go here for the answer and more interesting facts. Did you get it right?! If not, no worries — you’ll have another chance next week! 

You will probably hear today’s Mystery Critter rather than see it! But fear not — they are out there, and such a delight to see. Regardless of  the wildlife in your area, rest assured there is something to wow and delight the kid in all of us. Bright colors, amusing songs and sounds, and flights of fancy are just waiting for you, so get outside and see what nature has in store today. 

Don’t forget to let folks know about what you see! Join the Wildobs community and report your wildlife observations. It’s a great way to keep track of your wild adventures and share info with others. 

See ya outside! – The Grass Stain Guru

by Bethe Almeras, The Grass Stain Guru

As it is our Saturday ritual here at My Green Side, I have cooked up a little nut for you to crack. So, let’s get down to it, nature detectives — let’s play Mystery Critter!

Put on those thinking caps, and remember — no cheating!

CRITTER CLUES:

• I am roughly 30 inches tall;
• My habitat is rivers, lakes, and marshes;
• I am a fish eater;
• I have 2-3 young per year; and
• I am considered a wildlife “success” story.

What am I? Make your guess, and then go here for the answer and more interesting facts. Did you get it right?! If not, no worries — you’ll have another chance next week!

I hope you all get the chance to see this week’s Mystery Critter in action some day — it’s a true thrill. Read more about them and celebrate their successful re-population. Regardless, get out there and see what nature has waiting for you in your neck of the woods. Grab the kids and a pair of binoculars and get out there! There is so much wonder awaiting you.

Don’t forget to let folks know about what you see! Join the Wildobs community and report your wildlife observations. It’s a great way to keep track of your wild adventures and share info with others.

See ya outside! – The Grass Stain Guru

by Bethe Almeras, The Grass Stain Guru

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.  ~Lao Tzu

Happy Saturday, everybody.  That means only one thing  here at My Green Side — it’s time to play Mystery Critter! Let’s have a little fun. Read the clues below and then make your guess. This is a great way to introduce kids to the wonders of wildlife and help get them excited to explore the natural world.

OK my favorite detectives, let’s get down to it. Put on those thinking caps and let’s play. And remember — no cheating!

CRITTER CLUES:

• You will find me in wooded areas and forests;
• I feast on the leaves of shrubs and trees (hazelnuts are one of my favorites);
• I lay eggs;
• I am hard to spot; and
• Birds are my main predator.

What am I? Make your guess, and then go here for the answer and more interesting facts. Did you get it right?! If not, no worries — you’ll have another chance next week!

This Mystery Critter is good at hiding from you, but that makes it all the more fun to try and find. Even if you don’t spot one of these, I have no doubt you will find all sorts of wildlife and natural wonders near you. Get out there and see what you can find!

Don’t forget to let folks know about what you see! Join the Wildobs community and report your wildlife observations. It’s a great way to keep track of your wild adventures and share info with others.

I’m off to find this week’s Mystery Critter. He can’t hide from me for long. (OK, he can — but it will still be fun to look!)

See ya outside! – The Grass Stain Guru

by Bethe Almeras, The Grass Stain Guru

Within walking distance of any spot on Earth there’s probably more than enough mystery to investigate in a lifetime.  - Alix Kates Shulma

It’s Saturday, which means it’s time to play Mystery Critter here at My Green Side! A little game to put your wildlife knowledge to the test and have a little fun learning about some of the amazing critters we share the planet with. Today’s Mystery Critter was selected by my Twitter friend, Marie.

So let’s get to it, nature detectives! Put on your thinking caps and let’s play. And remember, no cheating!

CRITTER CLUES:

• I have an elongated body;
• My gestation period is 8 1/2 to 9 1/2 months;
• I am currently being reintroduced into the Midwest, but can be found in the North and along the East coast of the US;
• I am brown; and
• I am a very good swimmer.

What am I? Make your guess, and then go here for the answer and more interesting facts. Did you get it right?! If not, no worries — you’ll have another chance next week!

You might not get the chance to see this Mystery Critter, but there is plenty of wildlife all around you. Grab the kids in your world and go for a hike to see what wildlife you can spot near you.  Remember, there is mystery and wonder waiting around every corner, you just need to stop and take a look!

Don’t forget to let folks know about what you find! Join the Wildobs community and report your wildlife observations.

See ya outside! – The Grass Stain Guru

by Bethe Almeras, The Grass Stain Guru

Happy Saturday, folks.  As with each Saturday here at My Green Side, it’s time to play Mystery Critter.

So, put on your thinking caps and let’s see if you can solve this week’s mystery. By the way, today’s critter was picked by one of my Twitter friends, @MojoCulture. Thanks for the help, Michael! OK, let’s get to it, folks!

CRITTER CLUES:

• I range in color from brown to black, depending on where I live;
• One of my sub-species is on the Endangered Species List;
• I can be found throughout a large portion of North America;
• My range is roughly 10 – 15 square miles; and
• I am mainly solitary.

What am I? Make your guess, and then go here for the answer and more interesting facts. Did you get it right?! If not, no worries — you’ll have another chance next week!

This week’s Mystery Critter is a rare sight for most folks. Regardless, you will find plenty of wildlife near you — song birds, pollinators, small mammals, and amphibians. Grab the kids and go for a hike to see what you can see. And let folks know about it! Join the Wildobs community and report your wildlife observations.

Until next week, my nature detectives! Don’t forget to make time to unplug and #playoutdoors.

See ya outside! – The Grass Stain Guru

by Bethe Almeras, The Grass Stain Guru

OK, my favorite detectives — time to solve this week’s Mystery Critter. Are you a Sherlock or Watson — or a bit of both?

New to the site? Each Saturday here at My Green Side, we play a little wildlife mystery game. Just a bit of fun to learn more about wildlife and help encourage people to get outside and see what nature they can find nearby. And I never make it too easy, because — well, where is the fun in that?! If you have kids, include them in the game, or make up one of your own. Kids love mysteries!

So, put on those thinking caps and let’s get to it.

CRITTER CLUES:

• I can be found in parks, woodlands, and gardens;
• I make mouse-like noises;
• I am about 3 1/2 inches in size;
• I am one of a “family” of 16; and
• I am always on the go!

What am I? Make your guess, and then go here for the answer and more interesting facts. Did you get it right?! If not, no worries — you’ll have another chance next week!

If you are lucky, you will see this week’s Mystery Critter, which never fails to delight. If not, there are bound to be plenty of critters just waiting for you to discover. And let folks know about it! Join the Wildobs community and report your wildlife observations.

Until next week, my nature detectives! Don’t forget to make time to unplug and #playoutdoors.

See ya outside! – The Grass Stain Guru