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Clues for: Nature

Question Answer Value Airdate
The life span for the desert one of these shelled reptiles is about 50 to 80 years a tortoise 200 May 3, 2018
This South American fish can grow 9 feet long & deliver a jolting 650 volts an electric eel 400 May 3, 2018
About the size of a large house cat, the red panda also goes by this name, known to users of Mozilla firefox 600 May 3, 2018
The Queen Alexandra's birdwing of Papua New Guinea isn't a bird at all but the world's largest one of these a butterfly 800 May 3, 2018
To lead others to a food source, an ant will lay down a scent trail of these chemicals pheromones 1000 May 3, 2018
It's the weed seen here spreading more little ones a dandelion 200 December 1, 2014
From the Latin for "gnawing", it's the order of mammals that includes mice & hamsters a rodent 400 December 1, 2014
Most bats are this 9-letter adjective, so they don't mind if you call them at 2 in the morning nocturnal 600 December 1, 2014
While not all grow so quickly, one of these giant, hollow, woody grasses grew 3 feet in 1 day bamboo 800 December 1, 2014
As seen here, fossilized resin, called this, can preserve an insect forever amber 1000 December 1, 2014
Sharks can have as many as 5 rows of these, which fall out & grow back teeth 200 January 29, 2013
These large North American snakes get their name from their habit of feeding on other snake species; long live the... a king snake 400 January 29, 2013
The world's largest flower, the Rafflesia, which has no stems or leaves, is this type of plant that lives off a host a parasite 600 January 29, 2013
Growing up to two feet long, this desert dweller is the largest lizard native to the United States a gila monster 800 January 29, 2013
In trees such as pines & firs, the seeds form in these cones 1000 January 29, 2013
Yellow jackets are a social type of this stinging insect wasps 200 April 13, 2010
During a chase, these cats take about 3 1/2 strides per second, though the sprints only last about 300 yards cheetahs 400 April 13, 2010
Despite its length, the neck of the giraffe has only 7 of these bones, but they are elongated vertebrae 600 April 13, 2010
(Jimmy of the Clue Crew shows some pictures of spiders on the monitor.) Venomous spiders include the brown widow, recognized by an hourglass-shaped mark; a spider with a violin-shaped mark tells you it's this poisonous species a brown recluse 800 April 13, 2010
The killer whale is actually this largest member of this family dolphins 1000 April 13, 2010
The hoary species of this mammal has a wingspan of about 16 inches & is one of the largest of its kind in North America bat 200 January 15, 2010
The fisher, a type of weasel, avoids this rodent's quills by attacking its face & flipping it over on its back a porcupine 400 January 15, 2010
Fish that are anadromous migrate from the sea to freshwater rivers to do this spawn 600 January 15, 2010
The world's largest butterfly, Queen Alexandra's birdwing, inhabits the rainforest of this island nation, PNG Papua New Guinea 1000 January 15, 2010
(Kelly of the Clue Crew shows two similar-looking snakes on the monitor.) The common mnemonic "Red touch black, friend of jack; red touch yellow, kill a fellow" helps distinguish a harmless scarlet king snake from this extremely poisonous snake a coral snake January 15, 2010
The Norway type of this infuriating rodent actually originated in Asia the rat 200 October 11, 2007
(Jimmy of the Clue Crew reports from inside a skeleton at UC Santa Cruz's Long Marine Lab.) The Seymour Center at the Long Marine Lab has the world's largest displayed skeleton of this mammal, including an 18-foot jawbone a blue whale 400 October 11, 2007
The eyes of these croaking critters usually bulge, but they retract & push down on the mouth to help in swallowing a frog 600 October 11, 2007
The hermit crab's abdomen twists to one side so it tucks neatly into the animal's home, usually this a shell 800 October 11, 2007
The New York Botanical Garden has a collection of trees bearing these "apples" 2 inches or less in diameter crabapples 1000 October 11, 2007
What was nature thinking putting these glands mainly on the paw pads, so dogs have to cool off by panting sweat glands 200 July 2, 2007
Sandpipers & snipes are shorebirds, also called these for the way they move through shallow water wading birds 400 July 2, 2007
This type of "high" Southwestern brush, like the scrub oak, depends on fire to renew its growth chaparral 600 July 2, 2007
Named for a land animal, this "sea" creature has rings of body armor & a prehensile tale [sic] seahorse 800 July 2, 2007
The insect seen here is called the "water" type of this word that also follows "Volga" in song boatman 1000 July 2, 2007
A succulent can be any plant with fleshy, thick tissues adapted to store this water 200 April 4, 2005
The aye-aye, a primate, was once classified in this order due to its sloping incisors & incessant gnawing a rodent 400 April 4, 2005
Ants belong to the insect order Hymenoptera, which means "membrane" this wings 600 April 4, 2005
Much of this cold, treeless plain in the Arctic is covered by a thick growth of lichens the tundra 800 April 4, 2005
The yucca species of this insect lays its eggs in the seed-producing organs of the yucca plant moth 1000 April 4, 2005
This easy-to-grow state flower of Kansas can measure a foot across & produce nearly 1,000 seeds the sunflower 200 February 8, 2005
This animal seen here spends most of its time underground digging for earthworms a mole 400 February 8, 2005
The basilisk, known for its ability to walk on water, is a type of this creature a lizard 600 February 8, 2005
When young, this sponge gourd, seen here, can be eaten like squash; when old & dry it can scrub your body a loofah 1000 February 8, 2005
It's the alliterative term for coal, oil & natural gas made from the remains of living organisms fossil fuels February 8, 2005
These birds, which usually feed while hovering, flap their wings at a rate of 60-75 times a second hummingbirds 200 September 17, 2002
When frightened or excited, this largest African mammal may make a loud, shrill sound called trumpeting elephant 400 September 17, 2002
The Mormon cricket is a long-horned type of this jumper grasshopper 600 September 17, 2002
(Sarah of the Clue Crew reports from Belize.) Popularly called a bill bird, this is the national bird of Belize a toucan 1000 September 17, 2002
The Organ Pipe species of this desert plant is named for the long stems which resemble the pipes of an organ cactus September 17, 2002
Male mosquitos usually feed on nectar; it's the female mosquitos who usually feed on this substance Blood 100 October 28, 1999
The red-gilled nudibranch is a snail that, unlike the periwinkle or limpet, lacks one of these Shell 200 October 28, 1999
This green fruit's juice, which has a high level of citric acid, was used by the British navy to prevent scurvy Limes 300 October 28, 1999
These airborne grains from trees, grass or weeds may produce hay fever attacks Pollen 400 October 28, 1999
This legless lizard is named for its fragility Glass snake 500 October 28, 1999
The spots on a spotted salamander are a warning to predators that the salamander is this Poisonous 100 April 26, 1999
A bee does it about 200 times a second; a mosquito, 500 times a second Beat its wings 200 April 26, 1999
This kingdom is commonly divided into vascular, including cycads, & nonvascular, including hornworts Plant kingdom 300 April 26, 1999
The whelk, a carnivorous marine gastropod, has a shell of this shape Spiral 400 April 26, 1999
In a popular science experiment iodine on a piece of potato turns it dark, indicating this substance is present Starch 500 April 26, 1999
A puffer is a fish & a puff adder is a poisonous type of this Snake 100 March 9, 1998
Very simply, it's any plant, such as crabgrass, that grows where it's not wanted Weed 200 March 9, 1998
The name of these brightly colored salamanders may remind you of a certain House speaker Newts 300 March 9, 1998
Botanically, a peanut isn't a nut but one of these, like a soybean Legume 400 March 9, 1998
These creatures, seen here, "never prosper", but they do run quickly Cheetahs 500 March 9, 1998
Like other vertebrates, birds have 2 hind limbs & 2 forelimbs, the latter being these Wings 100 March 3, 1998
The largest crustacean is the giant spider type of this aquatic creature whose claws can be 10' apart Crab 200 March 3, 1998
Fruit types of these insects may be named for the fruit they infest, such as olives or cherries Flies 300 March 3, 1998
From the Latin for "first", this early-blooming flower contains another flower in its name Primrose 400 March 3, 1998
The poisonous marine toad preys on these animals, its companions in the order Anura Frogs 500 March 3, 1998
Many mammals are able to eat solid food well before this process of ceasing to suckle weaning 100 October 13, 1997
In plants, hermaphroditism is a synonym for this, which Woody Allen said doubles chances for dates bisexuality 200 October 13, 1997
The major groups of social bees are honeybees, tropical stingless bees & these bees bumblebees 300 October 13, 1997
As opposed to the bald type, the booted types of this bird of prey are named for feathers on their legs eagles 400 October 13, 1997
These creatures, including the ermine, are named for killing more prey than they can eat weasels 500 October 13, 1997
The safflower is widely cultivated for its dye, & for this product obtained from its seeds Oil 100 May 22, 1997
Rather than by birds or bees, coniferous trees are dependent on this for pollination Wind 200 May 22, 1997
Instead of bones, a shark's skeleton is made up of this material Cartilage 300 May 22, 1997
The heaviest rainfall comes from this type of cloud, also called a thunderhead Cumulonimbus 400 May 22, 1997
Whelks & periwinkles are marine varieties of this gastropod Snails 500 May 22, 1997
This largest living bird may live 70 years ostrich 100 February 17, 1997
Species of this "masked" mammal include the North American & the crab-eating raccoon 200 February 17, 1997
Most of the world's lemurs live on this island off Africa's east coast Madagascar 300 February 17, 1997
The Harpy type of this bird lives in South American rain forests & preys on monkeys & other mammals eagle 400 February 17, 1997
The Marco Polo variety of this mammal is so named because Marco Polo was the first to describe it sheep 500 February 17, 1997
A tornado is typically a tube -- or this-shaped cloud hanging from from a cumulonimbus cloud Funnel 100 December 24, 1996
Adult amphibians go through this skin-shedding process several times a year Molting 200 December 24, 1996
This flavoring is the only edible product produced by an orchid plant Vanilla 300 December 24, 1996
From the Latin for "golden", it's another name for the pupa or cocoon of a butterfly Chrysalis 400 December 24, 1996
In botany it's the process by which plants lose water vapor through their leaves Transpiration 500 December 24, 1996
Although these smallest birds are known for drinking nectar, they eat insects as well hummingbirds 100 November 18, 1996
This cotton pest 1st reached the U.S. at Brownsville, TX around 1892 boll weevil 200 November 18, 1996
White, bristlecone & pinon are groups of the soft kind of this tree pine 300 November 18, 1996
Bell peppers, tobacco, & henbane are members of this sometimes deadly plant family nightshade 400 November 18, 1996
This Rocky Mountain flower is the state flower of Colorado Columbine 500 November 18, 1996
Most insects have 2 pairs of these attached to their backs wings 100 November 14, 1996
Eagles usually kill their prey with these body parts talons 200 November 14, 1996
A lack of this green pigment is one thing that separates fungi from other plants chlorophyll 300 November 14, 1996
A chameleon can use this organ, almost as long as its body, to catch birds tongue 400 November 14, 1996
The beak-to-tail measurement of the leatherback species of this sea creature can run about 7 feet turtle 500 November 14, 1996
Leaves change color in autumn due to a breakdown of this green pigment chlorophyll 100 September 19, 1996
This flightless bird of New Zealand shares its name with a fruit a kiwi 200 September 19, 1996
Silica derived from this giant grass is used in making an Oriental medicine called tabasheer bamboo 300 September 19, 1996
The potato is an example of this swollen part of a stem that grows underground a tuber 400 September 19, 1996
Apis Mellifera is the scientific name for this insect the honeybee 500 September 19, 1996
About 25 of the more than 250 species of these are dangerous to man, with the great white topping the list sharks 100 September 5, 1996
A 25-pound heart helps pump the blood to its head, 15 feet off the ground a giraffe 200 September 5, 1996
Tiger Cats & Numbats are classified as these animals, from the Latin for "pouch" marsupials 300 September 5, 1996
This seasonal activity of the blue-winged teal takes it from southern Canada to northern South America migration 400 September 5, 1996
These chemicals secreted by some animals may signal alarm or attract a member of the opposite sex pheromones September 5, 1996
The scented flowers of this shrub are used in perfume & its reddish dye is used as a hair coloring henna 100 December 15, 1995
With its legs spread out, this largest spider can be as large as a dinner plate a tarantula 200 December 15, 1995
Usually black in color, the glass known as obsidian forms when this cools rapidly lava 300 December 15, 1995
Encarta calls it "the most economically valuable of all insects" the honey bee 400 December 15, 1995
This large, flightless bird of Australia lays dark green eggs the emu December 15, 1995
Native to California, this giant sequoia relative is the tallest U.S. tree the redwood 100 October 5, 1995
Most birds begin this grooming process by spreading an oil through their feathers preening 200 October 5, 1995
Like diamond, this soft black mineral is made of pure carbon, but with a different crystal structure graphite 300 October 5, 1995
Coral reefs ware of 3 types: fringing, barrier & this circular type that forms an island around a lagoon an atoll 400 October 5, 1995
Sepia officinalis is the scientific name of this creature that secretes sepia the cuttlefish 500 October 5, 1995
Unlike other species of these carnivores, the meerkat doesn't have a reputation for killing snakes a mongoose 100 September 12, 1995
If one of these spiny, 5-armed sea creatures is cut in half, each part may regenerate a starfish 200 September 12, 1995
The destroying angel is a deadly type of this fungus mushroom 300 September 12, 1995
The slimy inner bark of this "sljppery" tree was once used to relieve throat ailments elm 400 September 12, 1995
Now almost extinct, the wisent is a European species of this oxlike North American mammal buffalo (bison) 500 September 12, 1995
Soft pines, such as the white pine, have 5 of these unique leaves in a cluster; hard pines have 2 or 3 needles 100 April 3, 1995
The African clawed frog is unusual because it has claws to help catch prey rather than this organ tongue 200 April 3, 1995
The yellow jacket is a social one of these insects; the cicada killer is a solitary one wasp 300 April 3, 1995
The Indian fig is one of the more common types of this cactus fruit prickly pear 400 April 3, 1995
Coral is made of this substance secreted by polyps as an external skeleton limestone 500 April 3, 1995
Safes, a type of these desert formations, are often many miles long & several hundred feet high sand dunes 100 November 17, 1994
Sausage trees, found in Africa, are pollinated by these flying mammals bats 200 November 17, 1994
This largest U.S. cactus can weigh as much as 10 tons saguaro 300 November 17, 1994
Often found clinging to rocks, limpets are a type of this mollusk snails 400 November 17, 1994
In the South, buildings have been engulfed & trees have been smothered by this Oriental vine gone wild kudzu 500 November 17, 1994
In 1845 the fungus disease phytophthora infestans rotted these vegetables all over Europe potatoes 100 May 23, 1994
To aid its nocturnal habits, these facial features on a tarsier are each as big as its brain eyes 200 May 23, 1994
Pick up a walking stick & you'll see that it has this many legs six 300 May 23, 1994
The cormorant is related to this "pouched" creature the pelican 400 May 23, 1994
The Douglas fir is not a true fir; it belongs to this evergreen family the pine 500 May 23, 1994
About 1/3 of the world's sugar comes from a type of this vegetable beet 100 May 9, 1994
In general gastropods with a shell are called snails & those without are called these slugs 200 May 9, 1994
Widespread in Central & South America, Panama disease affects the leaves & shoots of this fruit plant banana 300 May 9, 1994
In nature & in "The Guinness Book", the Rafflesia is the world's largest of these flower 500 May 9, 1994
These sea creatures make up the animal class asteroidea starfish May 9, 1994
Growing up to 65 feet these parts of a raffia palm are the longest on any plant the leaves 100 February 24, 1994
Among birds, hummingbirds are considered the most important in carrying out this process between plants pollination 200 February 24, 1994
Most breeds of domestic duck are descended from this common wild variety the mallard 400 February 24, 1994
While weevils are a destructive type of this insect, the ladybird is considered beneficial the beetle 500 February 24, 1994
Developed from buried peat deposits, lignite is the first stage in the formation of this fuel coal February 24, 1994
If this tall tropical bird stops eating certain algae, its pinkish feathers will turn white Flamingo 100 November 29, 1993
These crustaceans that cling to ships & wharves also attach themselves to whales barnacles 200 November 29, 1993
It's the term for the organism on which a parasite lives & feeds Host 300 November 29, 1993
Made up of a filament & anther, this male organ of a flower varies in number from zero to hundreds Stamen 400 November 29, 1993
It's any tailed amphibian,including the newt Salamander 500 November 29, 1993
More flowers are pollinated by this insect than by any other a bee 100 November 24, 1992
This small, New World bat is known to drink about 1 tbs. of blood each day, about half its weight a vampire 200 November 24, 1992
Rather than a nose, a whale breathes through 1 or 2 of these nostrils at the top of its head a blowhole 300 November 24, 1992
They're the leaves that enclose & protect an ear of corn the husk 400 November 24, 1992
The giant species of this tree is also known as the Sierra Redwood the sequoia 500 November 24, 1992
Small, harmless & varying in color from green to black, it's the most common North American snake Garter Snake 100 November 18, 1992
Like some armadillos, the pangolin does this when attacked Roll up into a ball 200 November 18, 1992
These largest cacti don't develop their first branches until about age 75 Saguaro 300 November 18, 1992
These plants, especially Sphagnum, are the main vegetation of boggy regions mosses 400 November 18, 1992
Lichens, plants that grow on rocks, are made up of two types of organisms: a fungus & this Algae 500 November 18, 1992
In order to drink, it spreads its front legs, then lowers its head about 15 feet to the water the giraffe 100 September 28, 1992
While most species of this live bait fish are less than 6" long, the Indian mahseer can be 9' long a minnow 200 September 28, 1992
A greenbottle is this type of insect a fly 300 September 28, 1992
Varieties of these mammals include brown, black, sun & spectacled a bear 400 September 28, 1992
The fowl with this name is native to Africa; the "pig", to South America Guinea 500 September 28, 1992
Pond scum & most seaweed are forms of this simple plant algae 100 July 7, 1992
When mature, the yellow flower on this lawn weed turns to fluff & is blown away by the wind a dandelion 200 July 7, 1992
Night-blooming cereus, a type of this spiny plant, usually flowers once a year & lasts one night cactus 300 July 7, 1992
In most invertebrates & young plants, this outer layer of skin is only 1 cell thick the epidermis 400 July 7, 1992
The majority of the world's cork comes from an evergreen species of this stately tree oak 500 July 7, 1992
Some of the fanciest of these reptiles are beaded, horned, or frilled lizards 100 May 29, 1992
The AKC could tell that Afghans & Salukis belong to this dog group hounds 200 May 29, 1992
The oxpecker, which is this type of animal, likes to ride on the backs of giraffes a bird 300 May 29, 1992
The Dorcas type of this graceful antelope is one of the smallest; it's barely 2 feet tall a gazelle 400 May 29, 1992
This spotted cat is also known as the hunting leopard the cheetah 500 May 29, 1992
This flower has been grown since ancient times for its foliage, fragrance & hips a rose 100 November 15, 1990
It'll run if there's danger, or, if cornered, kick out, but will not as legend says bury its head an ostrich 200 November 15, 1990
Of all the toucans, the toco has the biggest one of these a beak 300 November 15, 1990
Mor & mull are 2 types of this black decayed organic matter in soil humus 400 November 15, 1990
Legend says this flower's name comes from the last words of a knight who drowned picking one for his lady a forget-me-not 500 November 15, 1990
Like whales, manatees have a layer of this fat under their skin blubber 100 November 9, 1987
Species of these include the mouse-eared, disk-winged, and fruit bats 200 November 9, 1987
On giraffes, this prehensile muscle can be 20 inches long the tongue 300 November 9, 1987
If you spot a snipe, you've seen this type of creature a bird 400 November 9, 1987
Members of this, genus papio, are the largest of all monkeys baboons 500 November 9, 1987
Grown on less than 1% of the land of the Netherlands, it's their living symbol tulip 100 November 12, 1985
Mycophagists, including humans, are eaters of this kind of fungus mushrooms 200 November 12, 1985
The viceroy mimics this poisonous “royal” butterfly's appearance to avoid predators monarch 300 November 12, 1985
The most common one found in the home is “mus musculus”, which may be where Walt got the initials mouse 400 November 12, 1985
From Arabic “mawsim”, meaning “season”, it's the wind which changes direction with the seasons monsoon 500 November 12, 1985
Wardens of this org. patrol more than 1 mil. acres in the U.S., primarily to protect birds National Audubon Society 100 May 30, 1985
A birch tree may lose 900 gal. of this in a summer's day water 200 May 30, 1985
Surprisingly, this only covers about 10 to 20% of most deserts sand 300 May 30, 1985
Chinese invented paper after watching these build their paperlike nests wasps 400 May 30, 1985
A redwood forest near S.F. is named for this naturalist who founded the Sierra Club in 1892 John Muir 500 May 30, 1985
Insect such as giant stag, whose name means "biter", not Paul or Ringo beetle 100 January 8, 1985
A table-top enclosure for raising & observing plants or animals terrarium 200 January 8, 1985
All of a bird's feathers considered together plumage 300 January 8, 1985