Field Guide to North American Wildlife

Overview

Course No. 10390

Join naturalist David Mizejewski on an eye-opening exploration of North America’s most fascinating wildlife species. This 12-lecture course takes you deep into the lives of remarkable creatures – from the critically endangered red wolf to the ancient horseshoe crab – revealing their unique behaviors, ecological roles, and conservation challenges.

Through engaging storytelling and expert insights, you’ll:

• Discover species you never knew existed in your backyard

• Understand critical wildlife conservation issues

• Learn surprising animal behaviors and adaptations

• Gain appreciation for North America’s biodiversity

Each lecture combines scientific facts with compelling narratives that bring these animals’ daily struggles and triumphs to life.

Video Lectures

01: Where the Red Wolf Still Roams (26 min)

Meet North America’s critically endangered red wolf, now found only in eastern North Carolina, and learn about conservation efforts to save this majestic species.

02: The Resurgent American Alligator (27 min)

Explore the remarkable comeback story of the American alligator, from endangered species to thriving predator, and its crucial role in wetland ecosystems.

03: What You Probably Don’t Know About Bees (27 min)

Discover the incredible diversity of North American bees and their vital importance as pollinators supporting our food systems and ecosystems.

04: The Monarch Butterfly’s Astonishing Journey (27 min)

Follow the epic 3,000-mile migration of monarch butterflies from Canada to Mexico and the conservation challenges they face.

05: The Tiny but Fierce Screech Owl (26 min)

Meet the elusive screech owl, master of camouflage, and learn about its hunting strategies and survival challenges in urban environments.

06: The Arduous, Important Lives of Salmon (27 min)

Understand salmon’s incredible life cycle and their ecological importance as nutrient transporters between ocean and freshwater ecosystems.

07: The Giant Hellbender Salamander (30 min)

Encounter North America’s largest salamander, a skin-breathing aquatic giant that serves as a water quality indicator in eastern streams.

08: Neither Pig nor Rodent: The Tusked Javelina (29 min)

Learn about the misunderstood javelina (collared peccary), its social behaviors, and its ancient history in North American deserts.

09: Opossum: A Kangaroo Cousin in Your Backyard (28 min)

Discover surprising facts about North America’s only marsupial, including its immunity to snake venom and expanding northern range.

10: Secrets of the Leatherback Sea Turtle (28 min)

Dive into the mysterious life of the giant leatherback turtle, the deepest-diving reptile that travels thousands of miles across oceans.

11: What to Do If You Meet a Black Bear (29 min)

Learn black bear behavior, their surprising intelligence, and proper safety protocols for peaceful human-bear coexistence.

12: The Horseshoe Crab’s Many Gifts (31 min)

Explore the ancient horseshoe crab’s unique biology and its invaluable contributions to medical science and coastal ecosystems.