FVCC Nature Journal

Some people say that there is a giant serpent-like creature living in Flathead Lake. Some say it resembles a giant sturgeon. Some long ago people believed in this legend, and sightings of the monster continue to this day. Come along on the Nature Journal as we explore the legend of the Flathead Monster.

You can find the map of the sightings referred to in this episode on the Flathead Lakers' website, here.

The Northern Flying Squirrel is one of two native tree squirrels in Montana. This diminutive glider spends its life in trees mostly of the boreal coniferous forests of Montana, making it the poster squirrel for the common Christmas trees cut by Montanans for their homes. This squirrel can glide up to 270 feet or more and demonstrates surprising skills of aerial maneuvering.

The snowshoe hare lives across the Montana landscape, especially in lodgepole and other conifer woodlands. Its white color provides almost complete camouflage in winter, but it is still preyed upon heavily by lynx, coyote, raptors, marten and other critters. Tune in to this podcast and learn lots of fun facts about this elusive prey species.

Join top fisheries Scientist Clint Muhlfeld and host John Fraley as they talk about the history and genetics of Montana's state fish in the waters of beautiful Glacier National Park!

Join us for a ride through the interesting world of bats! There are more than 1,200 species of bats worldwide, and 15 species in Montana. Some bats can fly 100 miles per hour; they are the only mammal capable of true flight. The smallest bat in Montana is the western small footed myotis, which weighs only 5 grams. Bats are valuable insectivores, but they also represent spookiness and fear for their association with Halloween.