Hedgehogs, Swifts, Glow-worm Podcast: ExtrasImagesImages courtesy of Ari Daniel Shapiro FactsWe may think of hedgehogs as insectivores, and insects are indeed their main food. But these omnivores also feed on a variety of plants as well as snails, snakes, lizards, birds, small rodents, and carrion. In return, they are food for badgers, foxes, owls, dogs, and snakes. All members of the swift family have feet suited for grasping vertical surfaces, such as cliff faces or brick walls. Often mistaken for swallows, swifts are more closely related to hummingbirds. The name “glow-worm” is misleading; there is nothing very wormlike about these beetle relatives of North American fireflies. Female glow-worms do most of the glowing, lighting up their last few segments to attract males. ParticipateWould you like to invite more wildlife into your own backyard? The Metropolitan Field Guide website has links, books, and more to get you started. Glow-Worm Survey If you live in the UK and have seen a glow-worm, the folks at the Glow-Worm Survey would like your data. This citizen science project has been running since 1990. You can also connect with other glow-worm and firefly enthusiasts around the world. Make a Bee Cosy Did you like the nifty insect hotel shown in Ari’s slide show this week? It’s easy to make your own. Here’s one video for a do-it-yourself bee cosy and another showing how to make a more ambitious one courtesy the Horiman Museum in south London.
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