U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)

Beaver: I'm the biggest rodent in North America Porcupine: And I'm the ✨second✨ biggest. Weird flex but ok! The average weight of an adult American porcupine is 20 to 25 pounds. They may have short legs and move slow, but they also have strong grip, and a stabilizing tail for climbing trees. Predators think twice! Porcupine's up to 30,000 keratin-based quills are a primary defense. 📸 Ronan Dugan/USFWS: Porcupine climbing white spruce in riparian forest, Kanuti National Wildlife Refuge

"I don’t care who started it, if you don’t settle down back there, I’m turning this car around!" It’s not every day you have a backseat full of sea turtles, but when cold weather stunned these reptiles in Florida, wildlife experts jumped into action. These rescued green sea turtles were safely transported for care after experiencing cold-stunning, which is a condition where sudden temperature drops leave them unable to swim or function properly. With a little warmth and TLC, they’ll be back in the ocean soon. In the meantime, let’s hope they don’t argue over who gets the window seat. Learn more about the team that saved these turtles: https://ow.ly/xFxf50USxWq Photo by USFWS

Snowstorm at Merced National Wildlife Refuge — made of geese, that is! 🤪 Goose viewing is looking good right now up through next month at the refuge. Fun fact: Merced National Wildlife Refuge hosts the largest wintering populations of Ross's geese and lesser sandhill cranes along the Pacific Flyway. Visitors may also have a chance to see great horned owl nestlings peeking from the nest and hawks exhibiting aerial courtship displays at this time. Photo of snow and Ross's geese at Merced National Wildlife Refuge in 2024 courtesy of Gary R. Zahm

Have you ever seen a century old dam disappear? Well, now you have! This dam removal took place on the Mohawk River in Colebrook, New Hampshire where the Washburn Mill Dam was blocking the river's flow, fragmenting the river and increasing risk of flooding in the nearby residential community. We worked with our partners over several years to restore the magic of the unobstructed river, allowing migrating fish to access habitat crucial to their survival. Ta-da! 🎩 Photos by Jaime Masterson/USFWS https://ow.ly/1V1050UU6kZ

Oh deer, isn't that adorable? Er, adeerable? Young white-tailed deer typically stay with their mom for about a year, learning to survive and become independent. Once they head out on their own, females typically stay nearby while males will disperse. 📷 Courtney Celley/USFWS

Me unknowingly walking around with food on my face because no one has bothered to tell me yet. The long-nosed leopard is found throughout Nevada. During breeding season, females develop bright orange spots and are generally larger than males. Credit: Rod Colvin/USFWS

You know what they say about big feet. They distribute weight further allowing an animal to walk on an unstable surface. Some marsh birds, like this purple gallinule in Texas, hunt across the surface of wetlands, feeding on the aquatic invertebrates hiding in the vegetation. Being able to walk across that vegetation without sinking is a key part of how they forage. Video: by John Magera/USFWS. A brightly colored marsh bird walks across lily pads using its very large feet.

Nothing better than watching a sunset at your favorite National Wildlife Refuge! Colusa National Wildlife Refuge in part of the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex in California. The Complex supports nearly 300 bird species. Photo courtesy of Hazel Holby

How well do you REALLY know Smallmouth Bass? There's still a ton to learn, even about super popular fish! This week, we dig into the fascinating diversity of Smallmouth Bass with guest Andrew Taylor from the University of North Georgia.  Learn the latest science, the places these fish call home, and pro tips about how to complete the Smallmouth Slam! Catch new #podcast episodes every Monday at FWS.gov or wherever you get your podcasts. 🐟🎣 📷 Roger Dennison #AllTheFish

"Friends in Wet Places" by Marsh Brooks. 🎶 Well I showed up, in waders and muck, To a marsh where the cattails grow. The herons all stared, but I didn’t care, ‘Cause wetlands steal the show. 🎵 I got friends in wet places, Where the gators glide and the turtle races, And the bog is fine! It’s a dream of mine! 🎵 Wetlands are our watery heroes. They're just out here purifying our drinking water, preventing floods, and providing a home to thousands of species. They also serve as critical winter habitats for migrating birds, offering food and protection during their long journeys. Thank you, wetlands. Photo of Ten Thousand Island National Wildlife Refuge in Florida by Michael Bither (sharetheexperience)