Iowa Department of Natural Resources

Iowa for 178 years; beautiful always. Iowa marked its statehood anniversary this weekend 👏 (December 28, 1846) Photos by Timberdoodle Photography

Them: It's Boxing Day? What is that? Us: Did someone say BOX TURTLES? 📦🐢 Ornate box turtles are the only fully terrestrial turtle in Iowa and can live to be 50 years old! These turtles can also completely retreat into their shell, unlike most turtles. A special hinge in the lower half of their shells allows part of the lower shell plate to bend upwards, protecting the turtle’s face and limbs from attacks. However, they are a threatened species in Iowa. Habitat loss is an overwhelming factor in their decline, but many turtles are also threatened by traffic. If you've seen an ornate box turtle, we'd love to hear about it!

"And now as Festivus rolls on, we come to the feats of strength." - Frank Costanza Iowa's outdoors is ready to step up - check out these amazing feats of nature! Bald Eagles build some of the largest nests in the world, with record nests weighing more than 2,000 pounds! Badgers use their short, powerful legs and long claws to dig a hole faster than a person with a shovel can. In fact, they can sometimes throw dirt 4 to 5 feet in the air as they dig! (We also bet they'd be good at the Airing of Grievances.) Great Horned Owls' talons require a force of 28 pounds to open. This strong grip helps hunt prey as large as striped skunks. Speaking of skunks…you already know the strength of a skunk's smell, but these guys are so tough they eat ground-nesting bees and wasps for a snack. The super generation of monarch butterflies that makes the 3,000 mile migration to Mexico each winter acquire the remarkable ability to halt aging and then stay alive for more than eight months—the rough equivalent of a human living six centuries! A Festivus Miracle! The American beaver can fell large trees and build dams big enough to be seen from space. Beavers can also hold their breath underwater for up to 15 minutes. Monarch photo by Amie Davidson; skunk and beaver photos by Eric Williamson.

It's Ugly Sweater Day? Time for the aquatic invasive species silver carp sweater with those Eurasian Watermilfoil accents 🐟🌿✨ We love ugly sweaters, but not invasive species - animals and plants that are not native to Iowa AND cause environmental, economic and human harm. These species can be introduced and spread a variety of ways, including boating, fishing, aquarium ownership, and water gardening. That's why it's important to Clean, Drain and Dry your boating and fishing equipment!

New year, new job, new opportunities ✨ iowadnr.gov/employment #IowaJobs #NaturalResources

Have a holly jolly office decorating contest, they said!

Your 2025 resolution? Catch a Master Angler fish! Help us congratulate the best catches of December 👏

STOP! Collaborate and listen - DNR is back with a brand new ice conditions report. Word to your mother (who told us to tell you to always check ice conditions before you go, that you need at least 4 inches of clear ice for fishing and 5 for snowmobiles and ATVs, and always test the ice with a spud bar as you move across it). This week's fishing report & ice conditions report: iowadnr.gov/FishingReport Everything else your mom wants you to know about ice safety: https://bit.ly/4iBnVCC

We already know venison chili is better, but now it's easier than ever! We're matching up hunters with full freezers with Iowans looking for venison with the Iowa Deer Exchange: iowadnr.gov/deer

Choose Your Own Adventure: DNR seasonal staff edition! 🧭 Apply now for summer positions in: Water Patrol, Fisheries, State Parks, Wildlife and more! iowadnr.gov/employment