adventure

SHARK APPRECIATION DAY!

SHARK APPRECIATION DAY!

We’re celebrating some of the most fearsome predators of the sea- SHARKS! These fish have a bad reputation but without them, our oceans would be out of whack! Sharks play a vital role in the oceans’ ecosystems. They come in big and small sizes and some even eat plankton! So let’s learn some shark fun facts, enjoy some shark pictures and get out those crayons to color Ellie’s shark coloring sheet!

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  • A shark’s skeleton is made of cartilage.
  • There are around 350 species of sharks.
  • Blue sharks can reach speeds of up to 43 mph.

shark1  shark2

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • The dwarf shark is smallest species of shark. It is about 4 inches long.
  • The largest fish in the ocean is the Whale shark. They can get up to 30 feet long.
  • Whale sharks are filter feeders, they eat krill.

 

shark3   shark4

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • The Megamouth Shark was only discovered in 1976.
  • Sharks swallow their food whole or tear it off in chunks.
  • Sharks can smell one drop of blood in a million drops of water.

shark5  shark6

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Sharks have been around for about 65 million years.
  • Pigs kill more people each year than sharks!

These amazing creatures are under threat as we deplete their numbers. Remember even animals that seem scary need our respect and protection. The oceans would fall apart without sharks! Check out Once World One Ocean see how you can help!

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

FEATHERY FRIDAY # 74

FEATHERY FRIDAY #74

It’s Feathery Friday and we’re going to the tropical seas to meet a bird who spends most of it time out over open water. So let’s board the E & E boat and head out on today’s bird watching adventure!

e e boat

MEET THE SOOTY TERN!

sooty tern   Range/Habitat: Worldwide/ Tropical seas

   Diet: carnivore: fish

   Length: 13-14”

   Conservation Status: common 

 

Fun Facts:

  •          Sooty Terns are brownish-black on top with white on the bellies.
  •          They are often seen in large flocks over open ocean.
  •          Sooty terns swoop near the water to scoop up prey.
  •          Sooty terns do not dive.
  •          They nest in large colonies on small islands.
  •          Sooty terns have a life span of up to 32 years.

Sooty terns are beautiful birds. We love that there are amazing birds that fly over open waters looking for their dinner!

sooty tern2   sooty tern3

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

SUPER SURPRISE THURSDAY # 74

SUPER SURPRISE THURSDAY # 74

It’s time to guess the animal! Look at the picture, read the clues and tell us who you think it is!

manatee

  • I live in the ocean and some fresh water rivers.
  • I am a mammal.
  • I am a very slow swimmer.

WHO AM I?

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

WATERY WEDNESDAY # 74

WATERY WEDNESDAY # 74

 We’re flying back to the United States today and taking out our river boat to meet today’s fish. These fresh water predators are crazy looking! Grab your bug spray and let’s get ready to go….

e & e river boat

MEET THE LONGNOSE GAR!

longnose gar   Range/Habitat: Central- Eastern North America/ rivers-

   wetlands

   Diet: Carnivore: small fish

   Length/Weight:  4-6ft/ up to 33 lbs

   Conservation Status: common

 

Fun Facts:

  •          Longnose Gar have diamond shaped scales.
  •          They have long thin jaws that are full of sharp teeth.
  •          Longnose gar are ambush predators.
  •          Longnose gar have long slender bodies.
  •          Their fins are set way back on their bodies.

Longnose gar are really wild looking for fish. These fish have been around for about 100 million years. Wow! Who knew such ancient fish were swimming in our waters!

 longnose gar2    longnose gar3

 

 

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

REPTILIAN TUESDAY # 74

REPTILIAN TUESDAY # 74

So we’re taking a boat from Madagascar to the continent of Africa to meet a very menacing snake. Get your safari gear on and your binoculars because we’ll be looking for this reptile from the safety of the E & E safari vehicle.

e & e safari van

MEET THE PUFF ADDER!

puff adder   Range/Habitat: Africa (south of the Sahara)/ grasslands

   Diet: Carnivore: small mammals, birds

   Length:  3 ¼ ft

   Conservation Status: common

 

Fun Facts:

  •          Puff Adders are thick bodied and wide snakes.
  •          They are yellow-brown in color with white chevrons.
  •          Puff Adders are highly venomous.
  •          Male puff adders are smaller than the females.
  •          Puff Adders are ambush predators.

Puff adders are very scary looking snakes. None the less they deserve our respect! All snakes are essential parts of their ecosystems whether they are cute or not.

puff adder2   puff adder3

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

MAMMAL MONDAY # 74

MAMMAL MONDAY # 74

It’s just another Mammal Monday and we sure are happy about that! We’re hoping a plane and heading to that one of kind island, Madagascar! Grab your luggage, snacks and night goggles and let’s go meet…

e & e night rainforest

MEET THE FAT TAILED LEMUR!

fat tailed lemur   Range/Habitat: Madagascar/ rainforest

   Diet: Omnivore: insects, flowers, fruits

   Length/Weight: 7-10”/ 6 oz

   Conservation Status: common

 

Fun Facts:

  •          Fat tailed lemurs store fat in their body and tails.
  •          Fat tailed lemurs go into a torpid state (period of slower metabolism and activity) during the dry season.
  •          They are arboreal (spend most of their time in trees).
  •          Fat tailed lemurs are one of the smallest members of the lemur family.
  •          They are nocturnal.
  •          They have a 15-20 year life span.

Fat tailed lemurs are so cute. It is so cool that they spend up to 6 months in an inactive state during the dry season. They live off the fat in their tails! Neat!

fat tailed lemur2

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

WE ARE FANIMALY!!

WE ARE FANIMALY!

We’re going to introduce you two relatives in the animal kingdom! One of them happens to be Edmond!

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Horse Fun Facts:

  • Horses have the largest eye of any land mammal!
  • Horses have 36-40 teeth.
  • Horse hooves are made up of keratin.
  • Horses are herbivores.
  • Horses can see nearly 360 degrees around them.
  • Horses only sleep 2-3 hours a day.

Tapir Fun Facts:

  • Tapirs have been around for millions of years.
  • Tapirs have an extended lip and nose that makes a mini prehensile trunk.
  • Tapirs are herbivores.
  • Tapirs are excellent swimmers.
  • Tapirs have an odd number of toes.
  • Tapir toes are splayed to help them walk on muddy river banks.

Wow! Who knew Edmond’s family tree included tapirs? Baby tapirs are spotted and quiet cute! We had some friends say they look like watermelons with legs :)!

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

FEATHERY FRIDAY # 73

FEATHERY FRIDAY #73

Woohoo for Friday! It’s that day where we meet a feathery friend! We’re going to South America to meet a bird of prey who has a very particular prey! Grab your wellies because we’re heading in to the marshes!

e & e wetlands

MEET THE SNAIL KITE!

sail kite   Range/Habitat: Cuba-Central & South America/ wetlands-marshes

   Diet: Carnivore: apple snails

   Length/Weight: 16-18”/ 13-14 oz

   Conservation Status: common 

 

Fun Facts:

  •          Snail Kites fly slowly and low to the ground to spot their snail meals.
  •          They have a curved beak they use to remove the snail from its shell.
  •          Male snail kites are dark grey.
  •          Female snail kites are brown.
  •          Snail kites nest in bushes or on the ground.

Snail kites are gorgeous! Often birds of prey are not so specialized when it comes to food. We do wonder if apple snails taste like apples though. If they do, Edmond might try them out!

sail kite2   sail kite3

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

SUPER SURPRISE THURSDAY # 73

SUPER SURPRISE THURSDAY # 73

Look at the picture, read the clues and then tell us who the animal is!

african wild dog

  • I live in Africa.
  • I am a member of the canine family.
  • I have very large ears.

WHO AM I?

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

WATERY WEDNESDAY # 73

WATERY WEDNESDAY # 73

 It’s time to hop aboard the E & E sub today and meet a fish with big teeth! There’s always room for everyone has we head out to the Pacific Ocean to meet…

e e deep sea

MEET THE WOLF HERRING!

wolf herring   Range/Habitat: Indo-Pacific Ocean/ ocean

   Diet: Carnivore: fish

   Length/Weight:  3 ¼ ft/ 14 oz

Conservation Status: common

 

Fun Facts:

  •          Wolf Herrings are the largest member of the herring family.
  •          They are bright blue in coloration.
  •          Wolf herrings are active hunters.
  •          Wolf herrings have two fang-like teeth that protrude out of their mouth.
  •          They are known to hunt in small groups.

Wolf herrings are truly predators with those large teeth. We sure wouldn’t want to meet with that end of these fish!

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

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