Ask Scarlett

Ranger Rick, July, 2002

Do wolves howl at the moon?

Katie T., Maryland

No, Katie, they don't. Wolves may be more active on moonlit nights when they, like you, can see better. Seeing more clearly helps wolves to hunt their prey at night.

Members of a wolf pack hunt over a large area. And they howl to keep track of each other. It's wolf-speak for "Hey, I'm over here." Howling also tells rival wolf packs, "This is our hunting ground, so beware!" A wolf's howl travels over long distances, so these messages come through loud and clear.

What would the bottom of the ocean look like if you took all the water away?

Chelsea S., Arizona

Good question, Chelsea! It would look like much of the rest of the Earth. There would be flat areas like plains, deep valleys, and canyons. You'd also see the longest chain of volcanoes on the planet. It includes huge mountains--some taller than Mount Everest.

When I was little, I used to see a lot of toads around my house. But now, I don't see any. Where did they all go?

Grace C., Maryland

I'm glad you care about the toads, Grace. Toads and frogs have been disappearing from many parts of the world. And lots of scientists are worried about it and trying to understand why. One reason may be that people have been draining and filling in the wetlands where toads and frogs live. Then they've built houses, stores, businesses, and roads on the once-wet lands. People have also dumped chemicals in rivers and lakes. These may be harming the animals. And in some places, diseases seem to be killing the frogs and toads. Other changes in the environment may be part of this problem too. So as you can see, the answer is not so simple!

If a deer tick bites a deer, would the deer get Lyme disease?

Andrew M., New York

Deer ticks do bite deer, Andrew. But deer don't get Lyme disease--they're immune (ih-MYOON) to it.

Lyme disease is especially common in the Northeast and parts of the upper Midwest. If you live in those places, you, your family, and your dog could get this disease from a tick bite. (Cats hardly ever get it.)

Here are some things you can do to protect you and your dog from disease-carrying ticks:

* Check with your vet about the best way to keep ticks off your dog.

* Wear light clothing. This makes it easier to see any ticks that might hop onto you.

* Spray insect repellent on your clothes and tuck your pant cuffs into your socks.

* When you come indoors, have someone in your family check you for ticks (especially your head). And check your dog too.

What makes that smell outside when it starts to rain after a warm, dry spell in the summer?

Lucie S., Massachusetts

It's a fresh, earthy smell, isn't it, Lucie? It usually lasts just a little while, until the ground is soaked. The smell comes from tiny living things called microbes (MY-krohbz). These microbes grow in the soil. As the soil gets wet from rain, microbes give off chemicals that make that nice smell.

GOT A QUESTION?

If you have a puzzling nature question that you can't find an answer to, check out www.nwf.org/scarlett. If it's not there, send it to Scarlett Fox at

Ranger Rick, Dept. AS
11100 Wildlife Center Drive
Reston, VA 20190-5362
e-mail: rick@nwf.org