adventure

WATERY WEDNESDAY # 70

Posted on May 22, 2013 by Ellie and Edmond ©

WATERY WEDNESDAY # 70

We’re taking the E & E sub out today to meet one cool and amazing fish! These fish can fly, but beware of that mouth full of teeth! We’re starting the engines and getting ready to dive down and head out on today’s adventure!

MEET THE GIANT NEEDLEFISH!

Range/Habitat: Tropical-temperate oceans worldwide

Diet: Carnivore: fish, squid

Length/Weight: 3-5ft/ up to 7 lbs

Conservation Status: common

Fun Facts:

Giant needlefish are the largest species member of the needle fish family.
They have long slender bodies.
Giant needlefish have a mouth full of sharp teeth.
Giant needlefish can leap out of water.

Needlefish are crazy looking with their long snouts and large pointy teeth. They can harm people when they leap out of the water to escape predators and land in boats. So watch for flying fish!

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

AMPHIBIAN TUESDAY # 70

Posted on May 21, 2013 by Ellie and Edmond ©

AMPHIBIAN TUESDAY # 70

It’s Amphibian Tuesday and we’re going to meet a little salamander that lives just north of us. We’re going on a hike in the woods, so grab your backpack, walking stick and a hat and let’s head out on today’s adventure!

MEET THE THREE LINED SALAMANDER!

Range/Habitat: Eastern United States/ woodland

Diet: carnivore: insects, spiders, flies

Length: 4-7”

Conservation Status: common

Fun Facts:

Three lined salamanders have long slender bodies.
Three lined salamanders also have very long tails.
They are nocturnal.
Three lined salamanders have dark stripes down their backs and sides.
They winter underground.

These little salamanders are adorable. We would love to spend a few days in the woods looking for amphibians of all kind. Did you know amphibians are a keystone species? They often help scientist determine the health of a habitat. If the amphibian population is healthy, then the habitat is probably pretty healthy too!

Categories: adventure, amphibians, Animals, Children, conservation, education, Environment, nature, science, wildlife | Tags: adventure, amphibians, animals, children, conservation, education, environment, nature, science, wildlife | 1 Comment

MAMMAL MONDAY #70

Posted on May 20, 2013 by Ellie and Edmond ©

MAMMAL MONDAY # 70

We’re going to New Zealand today to meet a native marine mammal. We love pinnipeds and these guys are no exception! Grab your passport and your bags and let’s goooooo…

MEET THE NEW ZEALAND SEA LION!

Range/Habitat: New Zealand-surrounding islands/ coasts, oceans

Diet: Carnivore: fish, squid

Length/Weight: 5 ¾-11 ft/ 200-1,000 lbs

Conservation Status: vulnerable

Fun Facts:

New Zealand Sea Lions are also known as the Hooker’s Sea Lion.
They are the rarest sea lion on earth.
New Zealand sea lions have blunt noses.
Male New Zealand sea lions are dark and the females are light gray.
They are pretty agile on land.
New Zealand sea lions have external ears.

These regal looking sea lions are protected in their homeland and there are conservation efforts being made to make sure they will be around for a very long time!

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

ENDANGERED SPECIES DAY!

Posted on May 18, 2013 by Ellie and Edmond ©

ENDANGERED SPECIES DAY!

We’ve been highlighting endangered species and how you can help them all week. We want to explain a bit more about endangered species and have you meet a few animals who have success stories!

First, what is an endangered species? Well, that is a complicated answer. The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) is an International group that is made up of scientist, conservation organizations and governments from all over the world. They work on conservation issues all around the globe and help determine populations of animals. They have ranking system that starts at Data Deficient and goes to Critically Endangered to Extinct. Individual countries sometimes have their own ranking system and that here in the U.S. started with the Endangered Species Act. It lists animals who need protection or help due to low populations. When an animal is put on the endangered species list, it helps people protect their habitat and their population.

We often hear so many negative stories when it comes to endangered species and we wanted to share some success stories! We can make a difference and we can help protect critical habitats and the animals who live there!

Peregrine Falcons

At one time there were just 324 pairs of these fast fliers left, but now there are over 1,700 pairs*!

Sea Otters

These adorable otters have gone from 1,700 individuals to over 2,700 due to protecting their habitat and rehabilitation efforts by places like the Monterey Bay Aquarium!

Hawaiian Goose

The state bird of Hawaii has gone from just 400 birds to several thousand due to captive breeding programs that reintroduce the birds in their habitats!

Gray Whale

These giants of the ocean are protected from hunting internationally and have seen their numbers grow under that protection. They now number in the 30,000s!

*Numbers from biologicaldiversity.org

We love sharing animal success stories! You can make a difference when it comes to helping endangered species. You can get involved with local and global conservation organizations. You can participate in a habitat clean up. You can recycle, reduce your trash and reuse items. You can take a trip to your local AZA accredited zoo or aquarium, all of which not only work with the animals they house, but with wild populations. Lastly, share your passion and love of animals with everyone you know!

Categories: adventure, Animals, Children, conservation, education, endangered species, Environment, nature, science, wildlife | Tags: adventure, animals, children, conservation, education, endangered species, environment, nature, science, wildlife | 3 Comments

ENDANGERED SPECIES WEEK DAY # 5

Posted on May 17, 2013 by Ellie and Edmond ©

ENDANGERED SPECIES WEEK

DAY # 5

Today’s adventure takes us to South America to meet one gorgeous parrot. These beauties are endangered and we can’t imagine living in a world where these feathery friends aren’t around! Grab your gear, your binoculars and let’s go meet these big blue birds!

MEET THE HYACINTH MACAW!

Range/Habitat: Central South America/ rainforest

Diet: Herbivore: nuts, fruits

Length/Weight: 3 ¼ ft/ 3 lbs

Conservation Status: endangered

Fun Facts:

Hyacinth Macaws are the largest member of the parrot family that can fly.
They have bright blue feathers.
Hyacinth macaws are very social.
Hyacinth macaws have long tails.
They have large curved beaks to help them crack open nuts.

Hyacinth macaws are one of our favorites. They are endangered mainly due to the pet trade. If you decide a pet parrot is right for your home, make sure you get one from a reputable breeder. Remember that parrots are very social and live a very long time, so they are very high maintenance and require a lot of care.

Categories: adventure, Animals, birds, Children, conservation, endangered species, Environment, nature, science, wildlife | Tags: adventure, animals, birds, children, conservation, education, endangered specie, environment, nature, science, wildlife | Leave a comment

ENDANGERED SPECIES- GUESS THE ANIMAL!

Posted on May 16, 2013 by Ellie and Edmond ©

ENDANGERED SPECIES WEEK- GUESS THE ANIMAL

WHO AM I?

I live in the mountains in Asia.
I am able to jump 50 feet in one leap.
I am large cat.

WHO AM I?

Categories: adventure, Animals, Children, conservation, education, endangered species, Environment, mammals, nature, science, wildlife | Tags: adventure, animals, children, conservation, education, endangered species, environment, mammals, nature, science, wildlife | 10 Comments

ENDANGERED SPECIES WEEK- MANATEE BOOKMARK

Posted on May 15, 2013 by Ellie and Edmond ©

Endangered Species Week- Craft Day

We’re making a manatee bookmark today. These amazing marine mammals are listed as vulnerable and there is much that we can do to help them; like making sure their ocean and river habitats are free of trash. Also making sure if you are boating in their habitat you go slow as not to hurt them. Lastly, help reduce the pollution that goes in our waterways, by using natural cleaning products. Let’s get started on this adorable bookmark that will remind you how neat manatees are!

Materials:

A popsicle stick
Gray Felt
Hot glue (to be used by an adult)
Black marker and blue marker

Instructions:

Print pattern (below) and trace on the felt. You’ll need two manatees.
Cut out your manatees.

Color your popsicle stick with the blue marker.

Place one manatee down, then the popsicle stick, then the other manatee on top- glue this together.

Add face details to your manatee.

Categories: adventure, Animals, Children, conservation, crafts, education, endangered species, Environment, mammals, nature, wildlife | Tags: adventure, animals, children, conservation, crafts, education, environment, mammals, nature, wildlife | Leave a comment

ENDANGERED SPECIES WEEK DAY #2

ENDANGERED SPECIES WEEK

DAY #2

Day two of Endangered Species Week takes us to the Caribbean to meet a large swimming reptile. We’ve met these turtles before, but are happy to go and find them again! Let’s hop aboard the E & E boat and grab our snorkeling gear to meet today’s endangered species.

MEET THE GREEN SEA TURTLE!

Range/Habitat: tropical-subtropical-temperate oceans worldwide

Diet: Herbivore: sea grass, roots, jellies

Length/Weight: 3 ¼-4 ft/145-600 lbs

Conservation Status: endangered

Fun Facts:

Green Sea Turtles have a smooth carapace.
The carapace (top shell) is a brown-olive color.
Green sea turtles have small heads.
Green sea turtles have strong flippers.
They are the only sea turtle that can be seen occasionally sunbathing on the beach.
Green sea turtles lay eggs on the beach.

Green sea turtles are beautiful reptiles. They have been on the planet for about 65 million years and we sure hope they stick around. One great way to help sea turtles is pick up your trash! Turtles often mistake trash for food. If we make sure our oceans our clean, then the turtles only have their food to eat!

Categories: adventure, Animals, Children, conservation, education, endangered species, Environment, nature, reptiles, science, turtles, wildlife | Tags: adventure, animals, conservation, endangered species, environment, nature, oceans, reptiles, science, wildlife | 1 Comment

ENDANGERED SPECIES WEEK!

ENDANGERED SPECIES WEEK

Our theme week this month is focusing on Endangered Species. We’ll spotlight 3 animals and giving you ways in which you can help. We’ll also have a guess the endangered animal post and a craft! We’re going to the mountainous rainforests of Africa to meet today’s endangered species. Grab your raincoats and let’s go meet this great ape.

MEET THE MOUNTAIN GORILLA!

Range/Habitat: Central East Africa/ mountain rainforest

Diet: Omnivore: leaves, shoots, fruit, insects

Length/Weight: 4 ¼-6 /14 ft/ 150-460 lbs

Conservation Status: critically endangered

Fun Facts:

Mountain Gorillas live in high altitude volcanic mountains.
They live in troops with one dominant male, females and their offspring.
Mountain gorillas are generally very peaceful.
Mountain gorillas make a nest every night.
They have very thick fur to help keep them warm.
Mature adult males are called silverbacks.

Mountain gorillas are such amazing creatures. They are gentle, social and intelligent. Habitat loss is just one reason these gorillas are endangered. The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund helps these special apes, by tracking them and helping them in the wild. Check out their website. Another great way to help gorillas in the wild is by recycling your cell phone at your local zoo. Our zoo has a program as do many others. Remember everything little thing can help our endangered friends!

Categories: adventure, Animals, apes, Children, conservation, education, endangered species, Environment, nature, science, wildlife | Tags: adventure, animals, children, conservation, education, endangered species, environment, mammals, nature, science, wildlife | Leave a comment

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!!

Happy Mother’s Day!

We’re celebrating moms today with some fun photos of wild animal moms! And if you somehow forgot to get your mom something, we have a card you can color! Thanks to all those moms for all the hard work you do!!