adventure

ANIMAL HOLIDAY WEEK DAY # 5

Posted on December 21, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

HOLIDAY ANIMAL WEEK

Our last day of holiday week keeps us in Europe to meet another famous bird from the Twelve Days of Christmas song! These birds come in pairs! So let’s get our binoculars and head out on today’s adventure!

e e woods

MEET THE TURTLE DOVE!

turtle dove   Range/Habitat: Europe-Africa/ woodlands, fields

   Diet: Omnivores: seeds, insects

   Length/Weight: 9-11”/ 3-6 oz

   Conservation Status: common

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • Turtle doves form pair bonds.
  • They are related to doves and pigeons.
  • Turtle doves migrate. They winter in Africa.
  • Turtle doves have beautiful gray, brown and pinkish colors.
  • They feed on the ground.

Turtle doves are gorgeous little birds. Because they form lifelong pair bonds, they are often a symbol for true love. And we love that about turtle doves!

 turtle dove2turtle dove3

Categories: adventure, Animals, birds, Children, conservation, education, Environment, nature, science, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

HOLIDAY WEEK DAY # 4

Posted on December 20, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

HOLIDAY ANIMAL WEEK

We’ll be spending the next two days in Europe bird watching for two birds who are very famous during the holidays! Apparently you are supposed to give these to your true love. We think it would be better to take your true love bird watching with us! Let’s head out!

e e woods

MEET THE GRAY PARTRIDGE!

gray partridge   Range/Habitat: Europe-West/Central Asia/ grasslands, farms

   Diet: Omnivore: seeds, insects

   Length/Weight: 12”/11-16 oz

   Conservation Status: common

 

 

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • Gray Partridges have tawny heads and grayish bodies.
  • They live in small groups of 15-20 individuals. The groups are called coveys.
  • Female Gray Partridges lay around 16-18 eggs in a clutch.
  • They feed off the ground.
  • Gray partridges nest on the ground.

Gray partridges are neat little birds! We are wondering who came up with the line in the song that says a partridge in a pear tree, since these birds tend to live on the ground. Hhhhmmm… maybe they never met a real gray partridge!

 gray partride3gray partride2

Categories: adventure, Animals, birds, Children, conservation, education, Environment, holidays, nature, science, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

DECEMBER CRAFT!!

Posted on December 19, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

December Craft

Santa Walrus Ornament!

We’re making ornaments this month for craft time and we’re so excited to be making this adorable little felt walrus ornament! Let’s get crafty!

IMG_3770

Materials:

  • Red, white, cream, gray & brown felt (you only need small scraps)
  • Black marker
  • scissors
  • hot glue (to be used by an adult)
  • needle & thread

 

Instructions:

  • Print out pattern (below)
  • Cut pattern pieces out

 

IMG_3764

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Cut out felt pieces

IMG_3765

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Draw black dots on the eyes & two nostrils on brown mussel

IMG_3766

 

 

 

 

 

  • Glue face, eyes & tusks on walrus
  • Glue Santa hat

IMG_3767

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Take needle & thread and pull through the hat. Tie a knot in string.

IMG_3769

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Hang your walrus!

Pattern:

Image

Categories: adventure, Animals, Children, crafts, education, Environment, holidays, mammals, nature, oceans, science, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

HOLIDAY ANIMAL WEEK # 55

Posted on December 18, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

HOLIDAY WEEK DAY #2

We’re staying in the arctic today to meet one large and fat animal! What do you know, they have tusks just like Ellie! Do you have your coats on? Let’s go meet this great holiday animal!

MEET THE WALRUS!

    Range/Habitat: Arctic/water, shoreline

   Diet: Carnivore: shrimp, sea-snails, fish

   Length/Weight: 9 ¾-12 ft/ 1 ¼ -2 ¼ tons

   Conservation Status: data deficient

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • Walrus are large marine mammals with flippers.
  • Walrus eat prey off the bottom of the oceans and use suction to eat.
  • They can stay underwater for up to 25 minutes and can dive down to 330ft deep.
  • They are highly social and often are seen in large groups, called herds.
  • Male walruses are twice the size of females.
  • They have rough wrinkly skin and very whiskery faces.
  • Walruses have tusks of ivory. They can grow up to 3 ft 3” long.

Walruses sure are huge and cute! How can you not like their whiskery faces? These blubbery mammals are loud, social and full of personality! They are one of our favorites!

walrus

walrus2

Categories: adventure, Animals, Children, conservation, education, Environment, mammals, nature, oceans, science, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

FEATHERY FRIDAY # 55

Posted on December 14, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

FEATHERY FRIDAY #55

We’re off to the Galapagos Islands today on the E & E boat to meet a bird who soars in the skies over the ocean! Grab your life jacket and let’s head out on this adventure!

e e boat

MEET THE RED BILLED TROPICBIRD!

red billed tropicbird   Range/Habitat: Eastern Pacific-Central Atlantic/ oceans-coasts

   Diet: Carnivore: squid, fish

   Length/Weight: 31-32”/ 21-29 oz

   Conservation Status: common

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • Red Billed tropicbirds are often found hundreds of miles from shore.
  • They poor swimmers!
  • Red billed tropicbirds plunge into the ocean to catch their prey.
  • They have webbed feet.
  • Red billed tropicbirds have long tail streamers.
  • Red billed tropicbirds are very awkward on land.

Red billed tropicbirds are gorgeous birds! These high fliers were built to spend their lives in the air. We sure would like to be able to fly one day! How about you?

 red billed tropicbird2red billed tropicbird3

 

Categories: adventure, Animals, birds, Children, conservation, education, Environment, nature, science, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

SUPER SURPRISE THURSDAY # 55

Posted on December 13, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

SUPER SURPRISE THURSDAY #55

We’re heading out our own back door and into the woods to find today’s super surprise animal. As we’re hiking, be on the lookout and keep your distance, because this animal has one stinky defense!

e e woods (2)

MEET THE STRIPED SKUNK!

striped skunk   Range/Habitat: Canada-North Mexico/ woodlands, suburbs

   Diet: Omnivore: fruits, seeds, fish

   Length/Weight: 22-30”/ 5 ½-14lb

   Conservation Status: common

 


Fun Facts:

  • Striped skunks are solitary.
  • They are known for their stinky defense system. Striped skunks will stand on their front feet and spray a predator with a very foul smelling liquid!
  • Striped skunks’ main predator is the Great Horned Owl because the owl has no sense of smell.
  • They are crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk).
  • Young striped skunks stay with their mother’s for almost a year.
  • Striped skunks winter in dens and burrows.

These stinky little mammals are really cute! It is best to watch them from a distance or from inside the house, you certainly don’t want to encounter the wrong end of these animals!

 striped skunk2striped skunk3

 

 

Categories: adventure, Animals, Children, conservation, education, Environment, mammals, nature, science, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

WATERY WEDNESDAY # 55

Posted on December 12, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

WATERY WEDNESDAY # 55

We’re taking the E & E submarine out today to meet one of the oceans’ predators! These cartilaginous fish have mouths full of teeth, so we’ll be on the lookout from the safety of the sub!

e e sharks

MEET THE LEMON SHARK!

lemon shark    Range/Habitat: Eastern Pacific-Western Atlantic/ oceans-near coasts

    Diet: Carnivore: stingrays, fish

    Length/Weight: up to 11 ft/over 400 lbs

    Conservation Status: common

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • Lemon sharks are also called Sharptooth sharks.
  • They are yellowish-brown in color.
  • Lemon sharks can go in brackish waters.
  • They have large blunt noses.
  • Lemon sharks have two rows of long, thin triangular shaped teeth to catch prey with; then rows of extra teeth behind those.

Lemon sharks are fierce predators, but they are also amazing animals. Ecosystems are dependent on top predators in the food chain and without them the oceans would be in big trouble. It is important that we respect sharks and help protect them!

lemon sharks2   lemon shark3

Categories: adventure, Animals, Children, conservation, education, Environment, nature, oceans, science, sharks, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

REPTILIAN TUESDAY # 55

Posted on December 11, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

REPTILIAN TUESDAY #55

Are you ready to meet a cute little reptile today? We’re staying on the continent of Africa but heading to the deserts of Northern Africa. So grab your sunglasses and sunscreen and let’s head out on an adventure!

e e desert

MEET THE ELEGANT SAND GECKO!

elegant sand gecko   Range/Habitat: Northern-Eastern Africa/ desert

   Diet: Insectivore: ants, beetles, moths

   Length: 3 ½-4 ¼”

  Conservation Status: common

 

Fun Facts:

  • Elegant sand geckos have long limbs and long tails.
  • They are sand colored to help them camouflage in with the desert.
  • Elegant sand geckos live in holes in the sand.
  • They are excellent diggers.
  • Elegant sand geckos have large eyes.
  • They are most active at dusk

Elegant sand geckos are so cute with their big eyes. They are all the better to spot bugs with my dear! Hahahaha!

elegant sand gecko2

 

Categories: adventure, africa, Animals, Children, conservation, education, Environment, nature, reptiles, science, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

MAMMAL MONDAY # 55

Posted on December 10, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

MAMMAL MONDAY #55

It’s that special day of the week when we meet a mammal and today’s adventure takes us to a small area in the West of Africa. Get ready to do some monkying around! Let’s do this!

e e savanna

MEET THE GUINEA BABOON!

guinea baboon   Range/Habitat: West Africa/ grasslands

   Diet: Omnivore: roots, grubs, eggs

   Length/Weight: 27”/ 39 lb

   Conservation Status: near threatened

 

Fun Facts:

  • Guinea baboons are the smallest of all baboons.
  • Male guinea baboons have large manes of fur.
  • They live in troops of around 40 individuals.
  • Guinea baboons forage for food on the ground, but sleep in the trees at night.
  • They are also called the savanna baboon.
  • Guinea baboons are highly vocal.

We love baboons and the Guinea baboons are so handsome with their large manes. These highly social and vocal primates are so fun to observe!

guinea baboon2     guinea baboon3

 

Categories: adventure, africa, Animals, Children, conservation, education, Environment, mammals, science, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

FEATHERY FRIDAY # 54

Posted on December 7, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

FEATHERY FRIDAY #54

It’s that special day of the week dedicated to our feathery friends! So are you ready to head to Central America to meet a duck who doesn’t quack? Let’s head out on today’s adventure!

e & e wetlands

MEET THE MUSCOVY DUCK!

muscovy duck   Range/Habitat: Central-South America/ wetlands, lakes, rivers

   Diet: Omnivore: roots, leaves, fish, insects

   Length/Weight: 26-33”/ 7-15 lbs

   Conservation Status: common

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • Muscovy Ducks have wild and domesticated populations.
  • They are not very vocal and only make a few noises, including hisses!
  • Muscovy ducks have black and white feathers.
  • They have wide flat tails.
  • Muscovy ducks perch in trees.
  • Muscovy ducks have claws on their feet.

Muscovy ducks are super cute! Who knew there were ducks out there that didn’t quack! Neat! Hiss! Hiss!

muscovy duck2   muscovy duck3

Categories: adventure, Animals, birds, Children, conservation, education, Environment, nature, science, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Blog at WordPress.com.