Animals

AMERICAN ANIMALS WEEK!

Posted on July 2, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

AMERICAN ANIMALS WEEK

We’re celebrating all American animals this week in honor of July 4th! So we’ve packed up our RV and we’ll be driving all around our country looking for animals that are native to our home! We have room for everyone, so join us! Our first stop on this tour in the western plains to meet a very large mammal!

MEET THE AMERICAN BISON!

   Range/Habitat: Western-Northern United States/plains, mountains,

woodlands

   Diet: Herbivore: grasses, buds, shoots

   Length/Weight: 7-11ft/ 770-2000 lbs

   Conservation Status: common

 

Fun Facts:

  • American Bison are also known as the American Buffalo.
  • They are tall and can reach up to 6 ½ ft high at the shoulder.
  • American bison are very fast and can run up to 37 mph.
  • They have small short horns on their heads.
  • American bison have excellent hearing and sight.
  • American bison migrate to find food.
  • Female American bison live with maternal family groups with a dominate female in charge.
  • Male American bison live in bachelor groups.

These majestic bison almost went extinct in this country. Efforts were made to save them and they now roam the American West, but there are only two truly wild herds left in Yellowstone National Park and Wood Buffalo Park in Canada. We are so glad that they’re still around! Buffalo are just too cute to miss :)!

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FEATHERY FRIDAY # 39

Posted on June 29, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

FEATHERY FRIDAY# 39

We’re off to Africa today to find a colorful and most famous bird! We all know these pinkies! Have you guessed it by now? That’s right; it’s time to meet a flamingo! Grab your wellies again, we’re going wading!

MEET THE LESSER FLAMINGO!

   Range/Habitat: West-Central-Southern Africa/ wetlands, lakes

   Diet: Herbivore: blue-green algae

   Length/Weight: up to 3 ¼ ft/ up to 4 ½ lbs

   Conservation Status: Near threatened

 

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • Lesser flamingos are the smallest of all flamingos.
  • They are light to dark pink in coloration.
  • Lesser flamingos have long dark beaks.
  • They feed at dusk and dark.
  • Lesser flamingos live in large colonies. There have been flocks of up to 1 million birds.
  • You can see hundreds are of flamingos move together in elaborate courtship rituals.
  • Lesser flamingos build mud mounds to lay their one egg on.
  • They can live up to 50 years.

We just love flamingos! They’re long legs and bright pink feathers make them one of the most iconic birds on the planet! And yes they do sleep on one leg; it helps them conserve body heat! Hhhmm… we might practice being flamingos, but that is hard with four legs!

     

 

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SUPER SURPRISE THURSDAY # 39

Posted on June 28, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

SUPER SURPRISE THURSDAY# 39

We’re staying in the ocean today, but we’re not staying in the coral reef. Instead we’re heading off to the Georgia coast to meet a small and strange member of the shark family! We’re in the submarine today and we have room for others, so hop in and let’s go find…

MEET THE BONNETHEAD SHARK!

   Range/Habitat: Eastern Atlantic-Western Pacific/ temperate-

tropical waters near reefs & estuaries

   Diet: Carnivore: fish, crustaceans, shrimp

   Length: 3-5 ft

   Conservation Status: Common

 

Fun Facts:

  • Bonnetheads are the smallest member of the hammerhead shark family.
  • They often swim in small schools.
  • Bonnetheads have broad heads that are shovel shaped.
  • They have sharp teeth in the front of their mouths and broad molars in the back.
  • Bonnetheads must swim constantly to breathe.
  • Bonnetheads are migratory.
  • The purpose of the bonnet shaped head is still debated.  It does seem to help them swim and hold prey down in the sand.
  • They can live up to 12 years.

 

These neat looking little sharks are great! Sharks come in so many shapes and sizes. They are fascinating creatures! Can you imagine having to continually move your entire life just to stay alive? Whew, just the thought of it makes us tired!

  

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

WATERY WEDNESDAY # 39

Posted on June 27, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

WATERY WEDNESDAY# 39

We’re going diving in the coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific Oceans today! We’re looking for a shy, unusual and beautiful fish! Make sure your diving goggles are extra clean and you have a flashlight, because these fish like to hide out! Let’s do this!

MEET THE ZEBRA MORAY!

   Range/Habitat: Pacific- Indian Oceans & Gulf of California/ coral reefs

   Diet: Carnivore: crabs, crustaceans

   Length/Weight: up to 35”/ 22lbs

   Conservation Status: Common

 

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • Zebra Morays are eels.
  • They have no scales or fins.
  • Zebra morays have black and white, long muscular bodies.
  • Zebra morays ooze a slime that protects their skin since they don’t have any scales.
  • They lurk in cliffs, rocks and coral; often with only their head sticking out.
  • Zebra morays are ambush predators.
  • They have blunt teeth for crushing prey!
  • Zebra morays are very territorial.

These amazing eels sure are pretty! We’re not sure we’d want to touch one though, eeeww slimy! Would you be scared if you saw one of these lurking in your neighborhood reef? We sure wouldn’t!

     

Categories: Animals, Children, education, Environment, fish, nature, oceans, science, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

REPTILIAN TUESDAY # 39

Posted on June 26, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

REPTILIAN TUESDAY # 39

We’re going to the rainforests of Southeast Asia to meet a brightly colored snake! We’re going to watch this guy from a distance though just to be safe! Let’s do this!

MEET THE BLUE CORAL SNAKE

    Range/Habitat: Southeast Asia/ rainforests

    Diet: Carnivore: snakes, lizards, frogs

    Length: 4- 4 ½ ft

    Conservation Status: common

 

 

 

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • Blue Coral snakes are also known as Blue Malaysian Coral Snakes.
  • They have bright blue bodies with orange undersides, head and tails.
  • Blue coral snakes are highly venomous.
  • They flip upside down and show their bright orange coloration as a warning to predators.
  • Blue coral snakes are nocturnal.

We’re definitely going to observe these snakes from a distance. It’s best to pay attention to their warning coloration too!

 

Categories: Animals, Children, education, Environment, nature, rainforests, reptiles, science, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

MAMMAL MONDAY # 39

Posted on June 25, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

MAMMAL MONDAY # 39

Grab your down coats and mountain climbing gear because we’re going a hike in the Alpine Mountains to meet a member of the goat family! So let’s go on another fabulous adventure!

MEET THE ALPINE IBEX!

   Range/Habitat: Europe-Alps/ mountains

   Diet: Herbivore: grasses, buds, shoots

   Length/Weight: 4- 5 ½ ft/ 77-130 lbs

   Conservation Status:

 

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • Alpine Ibex live in high attitude habitats, up to 20,000 ft.
  • They are members of the goat family.
  • They have wooly beards.
  • Alpine Ibex have large horns on their heads. Males can have horns up to 4 ½ ft and females have smaller ones.
  • Female Alpine females have tan coats and males have rich brown coats with patches.
  • Female Alpine females live in herds. The females and offspring live in groups, while the males live in male only herds.
  • Alpine ibex males compete for females with head tosses and fights.

These amazing goats live in such a spectacular habitat! Can you imagine what it’s like to walk around with those big horns on your head? Now, who’s ready for some apple cider to warm up?

 

  

 

 

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FEATHERY FRIDAY # 38

Posted on June 22, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

FEATHERY FRIDAY# 38

It’s time to jet off to the wetlands of Sub-Saharan Africa to meet a most regal bird! These beauties wade in the water to catch a meal, so we must too! Do you have your waders? Let’s do this!

MEET THE SACRED IBIS!

   Range/Habitat: Africa-South of the Sahara/ wetlands, swamps

   Diet: Carnivores: insects, fish, frogs

   Length/Weight: 26-35”/ 3 ¼ lb

   Conservation Status: Common

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • Sacred Ibis have white bodies with shiny, black featherless heads.
  • They are wading birds and have partially webbed feet.
  • Sacred ibis live in flocks.
  • Both the male and female Sacred Ibis take care of the eggs and chicks.
  • They can live up to 20 years.
  • Sacred Ibis were worshipped in Ancient Egypt!
  • They are an ancient species. They’ve been around the planet for about 60 million years!

Wow, these birds have been around a looooong time and they were worshipped at one time! We wonder if they’re stuck up. We think they’re great either way!

     

Categories: africa, Animals, birds, education, Environment, nature, science, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

SUPER SURPRISE THURSDAY #38

Posted on June 21, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

SUPER SURPRISE THURSDAY# 38

Man, we couldn’t decide where to go today, because the bird we found lives all over the place! So we’re off to Europe to meet this wading bird! Grab your wellies and night vision goggles and let’s head out to meet today’s bird!

MEET THE BLACK CROWNED NIGHT HERON!

   Range/Habitat: North-South America-Africa-Asia-Europe/wetlands-rivers

   Diet: Carnivore: fish, frogs, crustaceans

   Length/Weight: 23-26”/18-29 oz

   Conservation Status: Common

 

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • Black crowned night herons are also known simply as Night Herons in Eurasia.
  • They feed at night and dusk.
  • Black crowned night herons wade in shallow waters and ambush their prey.
  • They have excellent vision in dim light.
  • Black crowned night herons rest in trees during the day.

 

We just love these little stocky herons! We could watch wading birds all day and night! It is so fun to see them catch their prey! Do you have a favorite wading bird?

 

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

WATERY WEDNESDAY # 38

Posted on June 20, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

WATERY WEDNESDAY# 38

It’s Watery Wednesday again we’re off to the Northern Pacific ocean to meet a special and very toxic fish! We’ll stay in our sub to check this fish out! We have plenty of room, so who’s coming?

MEET THE FUGU!

   Range/Habitat: Western North Pacific/ ocean, reefs

   Diet: Carnivore: fish

   Length: up to 6”

   Conservation Status: Common

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • Fugu means “river pig” in Japanese.
  • They are also known as blowfish.
  • Fugus are highly toxic and release their toxins in the water to deter predators. If that doesn’t work, they inflate themselves!
  • They have beak like mouths with strong teeth and jaws.
  • Their toxin is strong enough to kill 30 adult humans.
  • Fugus breed around the full and new moons in spring time. They actually spawn on the beach during high tide!

 

We’ll keep our distance from this fish! People do eat them in Japan and it can be very dangerous! We think we’ll leave these amazing fish swimming in the ocean!

 

Categories: Animals, Children, education, Environment, fish, nature, oceans, science, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

REPTILIAN TUESDAY # 38

Posted on June 19, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

REPTILIAN TUESDAY # 38

Whew, it’s hot here in this desert! We hope someone brought some mud for sunscreen! We’re here to find a marvelous lizard who can blow himself up! No, no, the lizard doesn’t actually explode, instead they inflate! Are you ready to meet this new friend?

MEET THE CHUCKWALLA!

   Range/Habitat: Southwestern United States-Northern Mexico/desert

   Diet: Herbivore: fruit, leaves, flowers, succulents

   Length: 11-16 ½”

  Conservation Status: common

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • Chuckwallas are large, wide and flat bellied lizards.
  • Their name comes from a Native American word!
  • Chuckwallas like hot conditions. They are often seen basking in the sun during the day!
  • When threatened chuckwallas jam themselves in crevices and inflate their lungs and flaps of skin, so that is impossible for a predator to get them out!
  • They have thick long tails.
  • Male chuckwallas are larger and often have black heads.
  • They have a life span of up to 25 years.

 

Wow, they lizards are not only cool, but they have a cool name! Try saying Chuckwalla three times fast! Chuckwalla, chuckwalla, chuckwalla… We got tongue tied just typing it :)!

       

Categories: Animals, Children, education, Environment, lizards, nature, reptiles, science, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

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