adventure

SUPER SURPRISE THURSDAY # 51

SUPER SURPRISE THURSDAY #51

It’s time to meet our Super Surprise Thursday animal and to do so we must go to North Africa! We’re on the lookout for a small member of the canine family. Are you ready for today’s adventure?

 

MEET THE RUPPELL’S FOX!

   Range/Habitat: North Africa- West Asia/ scrub-desert

   Diet: Omnivore: reptiles, insects, grasses

   Length/Weight: 16-20”/ 2 ¼-6 ½ lbs

   Conservation Status: common

 

Fun Facts:

  • Ruppell’s Foxes are also called the Sand Fox.
  • They are crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk).
  • Ruppell’s Foxes change their dens every few days.
  • They scent mark their territories.
  • Ruppell’s foxes have large ears and white tipped tails.
  • They are one of the smallest members of the fox family.

Ruppell’s foxes are so cute with their large ears and slender bodies. We see red fox near our house and they are so fast. Do you love foxes?

 

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

WATERY WEDNESDAY # 51

 WATERY WENESDAY # 51

We’re off in the E & E sub to meet a small and spotty shark! Are you ready to meet this cartilaginous fish? We have room for everyone! Let’s do this!

MEET THE LEOPARD SHARK!

   Range/Habitat: Eastern North Pacific/ oceans-near estuaries

   Diet: Carnivore: invertebrates, crabs

   Length/Weight: up to 7 ft/ up to 71 lb

   Conservation Status: common

 

Fun Facts:

  • Leopard Sharks have spots on their backs and sides.
  • They have long slender bodies and a large dorsal fin.
  • Leopard sharks are harmless to humans.
  • Leopard sharks have short round snouts.
  • They have strong jaws full of flat teeth for crushing prey.

 

Leopard Sharks certainly earned their name from another famous predator! It sure seems that spots and stripes help you camouflage in with your habitat! What kind of coloration would you want to help you camouflage in with your habitat?

 

 

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

REPTILIAN TUESDAY # 51

REPTILIAN TUESDAY #51

Who’s ready to go to the Mediterranean with us today to meet a handsome and sturdy reptile? We knew you guys would be up for another fantastic adventure, so let’s do this!

MEET THE HERMANN’S TORTOISE!

   Range/Habitat: Southeast Europe-Mediterranean Islands/ grasslands

   Diet: Omnivore: flowers, fruit, leaves, slugs

   Length: 6-8”

   Conservation Status: near threatened

 

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • Hermann’s Tortoise coloration varies by the area that they live in.
  • They have a domed carapace (top shell).
  • Hermann’s tortoises hide in dense vegetation.
  • The male Hermann’s tortoises are smaller than the females.
  • Hermann’s tortoises hibernate in colder areas of their range.

Hermann’s tortoises are so cute! We are such huge tortoise and turtle fans! They come with their own built in shell! What’s your favorite thing about them?

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

MAMMAL MONDAY # 51

MAMMAL MONDAY #51

We’re going to West Africa today to meet a member of the cattle family who lives in marshes! That’s right everyone, these guys can swim! So let’s grab our wellies and head out into the marshland to meet…

MEET THE SITATUNGA!

   Range/Habitat: West-Central Africa/ wetlands-swamps

   Diet: Herbivore: aquatic plants

   Length/Weight: 4-5 ½ ft/ 110-280 lbs

   Conservation Status: common

 

 

 

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • Sitatungas are also called the Marshbuck.
  • They have hooves that are made for walking on muddy ground.
  • Sitatungas are excellent swimmers.
  • Male Sitatungas have long pointed horns.
  • They are crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk).
  • Female Sitatungas live in small herds.

Sitatungas are really handsome! It is so cool that spend so much of their time in marshes. They have such neat feet that are built for living in a squishy habitat! Would you ever want to live in a marsh?

 

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

SUPER HORSE TO THE WILDLIFE RESCUE!!

SUPER HORSE TO THE WILDLIFE RESCUE!

Edmond was inspired by his Super Horse super hero costume that he wore this Halloween! He wanted to showcase the super heroes that help out wild animals all around the world! He’ll be flying high and low to find those people who rehabilitate, rehab and rescue wildlife! His first stop will be at a local wildlife rescue, but we want our readers and fans input! If you know a wildlife rehabilitator or a wildlife center; we want their names and contact info! Super Horse’s Wildlife Heroes will be a monthly interview to start with, but we may do more if we meet loads of excellent heroes!

So we need your help! Tell us who you know and how we can contact them! Send Super Horse to your local wildlife rescue! We look forward to this exciting new addition to The Adventures of Ellie and Edmond!

*We wanted to start this announcement with how you can help be an animal hero immediately! Hurricane Sandy damaged several animal shelters and The New York Aquarium. We’re posting how you can donate to them and help ensure that the caregivers and keepers have what they need to keep the animals safe!

First up: Woodbridge Animal Center needs donations, as their center suffered damage. The animals are all safe, but they need supplies and donations.

Next up: Jersey Shore Animal Center was hit hard by the storm too. Again, their animals are safe, but they need supplies and donations.

Last but not least: The New York Aquarium suffered flooding and damage to their life support systems. Keepers have been on grounds since before the storm to ensure that the animals are safe. They may have to move them if they can not secure the systems. These dedicated keepers have been working around the clock to make sure the animals are safe! A BIG SHOUT OUT to those dedicated folks!
We look forward to your suggestions and we hope you can help these animals and people in need :)! We have the greatest readers and fans!

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

FEATHERY FRIDAY # 50

FEATHERY FRIDAY #50

Woohoo, we’ve made it to Friday and that means it time to meet a new bird friend! We’re off to the island country of New Zealand today to meet a member of the pigeon family! So let’s head out on today’s adventure!

MEET THE NEW ZEALAND PIGEON!

 

   Range/Habitat: New Zealand/ forest-woodlands

   Diet: Frugivores: fruits, plants

   Length/Weight: 18-20”/ 21-29 oz

   Conservation Status: near threatened

 

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • New Zealand Pigeons are the largest species of pigeons in New Zealand.
  • They are the only native pigeon species.
  • They are also called the Kereru in New Zealand.
  • New Zealand pigeons have dark and iridescent feathers on the top of their bodies and white bellies.
  • They can eat very large fruit.
  • New Zealand pigeons are important seed dispersers. They poop out seed of the fruit they eat and in turn help to grow new fruit trees.

Pigeons often get such a bad rap, but we just love these birds. New Zealand pigeons are so very important for the growth of new trees too. Without seed dispersers like these birds, forests would often have little new growth! Way to go pigeons!!

 

 

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

SUPER SURPRISE THURSDAY # 50

SUPER SURPRISE THURSDAY #50

We’re taking the E & E sub out today to find a fish who looks like a fruit! Whaaaaat you ask! Well, we are in search of a cool and amazing fish who is yellow and black! We have room for everyone, so let’s head out to meet…

MEET THE PINEAPPLE FISH!

   Range/Habitat: Indo-Pacific Oceans

   Diet: Carnivore: fish, invertebrates

   Length/Weight: up to 11”/ up to 18 oz

   Conservation Status: common

 

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • Pineapple Fish get their name from their shape and color.
  • They have sharp spines on their dorsal and pelvic fins.
  • Pineapple fish have a bioluminescent organ on their lower jaw that they use to attract prey.
  • Pineapple fish are nocturnal (active at night).
  • They are found in deeper waters.
  • Pineapple fish have armor-like scaled covering their bodies.

Pineapple fish are really cute, but our favorite thing about them is their bioluminescent organ! How neat it is that they have their own build in glow stick :)!

 

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

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

We’re celebrating Halloween with a fun set of pictures of animals with pumpkins! Often zoos and aquariums give animals in the fall pumpkins for enrichment! What’s enrichment you ask?

Enrichment is either food, habitat, or training. Enrichment provides animals with stimulation that they may not get in captivity. Here’s a great explanation of enrichment from the National Zoo in Washington DC.

Let’s check out these fun pictures  and videos and Happy Halloween!

Here’s a FUN VIDEO FROM DISNEY’S ANIMAL KINGDOM AND SAN DIEGO SAFARI PARK!

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

REPTILIAN TUESDAY # 50

REPTILIAN TUESDAY #50

We’re going to Africa today to meet a large and ferocious reptile! These big guys inhabit watery spots and are definitely not an animal to mess with! Let’s load up on the E & E safari truck and head out!

 

MEET THE NILE CROCODILE!

    Range/Habitat: Africa/ rivers, lakes, wetlands

    Diet: Carnivore: fish, antelope, zebra

    Length: 11-16 ft/500-1,000 lbs

   Conservation Status: common

 

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • Nile Crocodiles are the largest crocodile species in Africa.
  • They are dark olive in coloration.
  • Nile crocodiles have long jaws. Their teeth are exposed when their mouth is closed.
  • The males are very territorial.
  • Nile crocodiles are ambush predators.
  • They cannot chew their prey and must swallow chunks whole.
  • Nile crocodile females lay their eggs in a nest. They use the same nest throughout their lifetime.

Nile crocodiles are very fierce! Their ancestors have been on the planet for millions of years. Despite their bad dispositions we really like these predators and give them loads of respect!

 

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

MAMMAL MONDAY # 50

MAMMAL MONDAY #50

We hope you enjoyed Halloween Week last week, we have one last surprise up our sleeves (we don’t actually have sleeves) on Wednesday for you! Today though we are off to Europe to meet one of the most beloved and adorable native animals there. Grab a flashlight and let’s head out into an English garden to meet today’s animal.

MEET THE EUROPEAN HEDGEHOG!

   Range/Habitat: Europe/ gardens, forests, woodland

   Diet: Omnivore: worms, spiders, slugs

   Length/Weight: 26”/ 20 lbs

   Conservation Status: common

 

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • European Hedgehogs are a favorite resident of gardens of Europe.
  • They are covered in pointy spines that help protect them.
  • When threatened European Hedgehogs roll into balls, exposing only their spiny covered backs.
  • European Hedgehogs are nocturnal.
  • They are generally solitary.
  • European hedgehogs hide under bushes and logs during the day.
  • Some European hedgehogs hibernate during the winter.
  • Baby hedgehogs (hoglets) are born with their spines just under the skin.

Hedgehogs are so iconic and adorable. There are so many people who love these spiny mammals. We know we do, just don’t try and pet one!

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

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