conservation

Code Name: Conservation Photos are in!

Posted on September 1, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

We’re on a Mission! Code Name: Conservation!

Our month long photo contest is over and we have some great photos! We’ll be judging them over the weekend with a few friends and will announce the winner here on Monday!

Here are the entries we received the first two weeks of the month.

Here are the rest of the photos entries we received! They are awesome!

DigSowGrow from Twitter- painting garden boxes!

Happiii from twitter- composting!

Tour Guide Ted from Twitter checked out the Hoover Dam!

Tour Guide Ted from Twitter- wearing his solar powered hat!

Tour Guide Ted meeting a puffin!

Traveling Mocha from Twitter- Recycling!

DuffyBear17 from Twitter- stops to smell the flowers!

DuffyBear17 from Twitter meets a cheetah!

Buffy Baboon grows avocados!

Buffy Baboon grows her own figs!

Buffy Baboon grows grapes!

Rocky the monkey uses reusable bags to go to the grocery store!

Rocky unplugs appliances when they’re not in use!

Rocky bear uses energy saving light bulbs!

Fluffythefluffy from Twitter growing tomatoes!

IcyPinkLemonade from Twitter looks inside a gators mouth.

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

Aska Rabbit from Twitter visits Zebra Sharks!

Aska Rabbit from Twitter meets some fish!

;

Aska Rabbit from Twitter meets a BIG penguin!

;

;

;

;

;

;

20120831-230812.jpg

Categories: Animals, Children, conservation, contest, education, Environment, nature, photography, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

FEATHERY FRIDAY GREATEST HITS!!

Posted on August 31, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

FEATHERY FRIDAY GREATEST HITS!!

On this Feathery Friday we went in search of a beautiful beaked bird! Whew! We’ve made it to another Friday and we’re so happy that it’s full of feathers! Our bird friends come in so many shape and sizes and today’s bird has a giant beak! Who is this amazing bird with the big ole beak?

MEET THE TOCO TOUCAN

   Range/Habitat: North Eastern-Central South America (Bolivia-

Peru-Argentina)/woodland, forest, groves

   Diet: Omnivore: insects, fruits, frogs

   Length/Weight: 21-23”/20 oz

   Conservation Status: Common

 

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • Toco Toucans are the largest of all toucans.
  • They have large orange bills with a black spot. The bills can get up to 7 ½” long (about the length of a pencil).
  • Toco Toucan bills are serrated (like a knife) and this helps them grasp and tear fruit.
  • Their large bills also enable the toucan to get fruit from out of reach branches.
  • Toco toucans nest in trees.
  • You can see Toco toucans in small flocks of up to 6 birds.
  • Both female and male toucans incubate the eggs.

Toco Toucans are really pretty birds with their shiny black feathers and large orange beaks! And man does that beak come in handy when you’re trying to get the fruit on the end of the branch! They also have a really cool call. Take a listen and Happy Feathery Friday!

  

 

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

SUPER SURPRISE THURSDAY GREATEST HITS!

Posted on August 30, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

SUPER SURPRISE THURSDAY GREATEST HITS!!

We went Africa to meet one unique mammal on this Greatest Hits! Who’s excited? We are! This mammal has some very special adaptations to help them eat the leaves that others can’t! So let’s meet…

MEET THE GERENUK!

   Range/Habitat: East Africa/dry and bushy scrub

   Diet: Herbivore: leaves

   Length/Weight: 4 ½ -5 ¼ ft/62-115 lb

   Conservation Status: Near Threatened

 

 

 

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • Gerenuks are part of the antelope family.
  • They have long slender bodies, necks and small faces.
  • Gerenuks can curve their spines into an S shape, which enables them to stand on their hind legs.
  • Because they can stand on their hind legs, they can eat leaves that other animals can’t reach.
  • Gerenuks are also called the giraffe gazelle.
  • They have large ears and eyes that help them hear and see predators.
  • Only male gerenuks have horns.
  • They get all of their water supply from the leaves they eat, so they can survive in dry habitats.

Gerenuks are kind of funny looking with their long thin bodies and giant ears. We think it’s super cool that they can stand up on their hind legs to eat! What a neat adaptation!  They are called the giraffe gazelle, but they’re not related to the giraffe.

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

WATERY WEDNESDAY GREATEST HITS!

Posted on August 29, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

WATERY WEDNESDAY GREATEST HITS!!

We went to a coral reef for this Watery Wednesday! Coral reefs are like the rainforests of the oceans! Reefs are full of all kinds of strange and wonderful animals and we have a strange looking fish for you today! This fish grows warts! Yep, warts! Eeew! Let’s meet the odd looking fish…

MEET THE WARTY FROGFISH!

   Range/Habitat: Western Pacific-Indian Oceans/coral reefs

   Diet: Carnivore: small fish, crustaceans

   Length/Weight: up to 4 ½”

   Conservation Status: Common

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • Warty Frogfish are relatives of anglerfish.
  • Instead of dorsal fins, they have long spines which act as lure to catch prey. If the top of the lure breaks off, they will regenerate a new one.
  • Warty frogfish are ambush predators, meaning they lay in wait for prey to swim by and then they grab them!
  • Young warty frogfish are white with yellow, orange or red. They develop their warty bumps as adults.
  • Warty frogfish are experts at mimicry and camouflage. They don’t just blend in with their surroundings, they actually look coral!

Wow, warty frogfish are some crazy looking fish and excellent at blending in with their habitats!  If you didn’t see them moving you might just miss them! Plus warty frogfish is just fun to say! Try and say it fast three times! Warty frogfish, warty frogfish, warty frogfish! Poof- now you are one :)!

Check out this video of a warty frogfish ambushing its prey!

  

 

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

REPTILIAN TUESDAY GREATEST HITS!

Posted on August 28, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

REPTILIAN TUESDAY GREATEST HITS!

We went to North Africa to meet a great lizard on this past Reptilian Tuesday! We’re off to the desert to meet one cool lizard! Grab your sunscreen and hat and let’s head out!

MEET THE SPINY DAB LIZARD!

   Range/Habitat: N Africa/deserts

   Diet: Omnivore: insects/plants

   Length: 12-16”

   Conservation Status: Common

 

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • Spiny Dab Lizards is also known as the Spiny tailed lizard or Uromastyx.
  • Their tales are covered with spiny scales.
  • Spiny Dab lizards are often found in burrows in the desert. They will stick their tails out of the entrance of the burrow to protect it.
  • Males are very territorial.
  • They hibernate during the winter months.
  • Spiny dab lizards change their color according to the temperature of the environment. They are yellowish/gray during the winter and orange/green or red during the warmer months!
  • Spiny dab lizards come out during the day to warm themselves in the sun. They are more active during warmer periods.

Animals have some great adaptations! These awesome lizards not only have spiny tails but they can change their color! We wish we could change colors! What color would you want to be? Ellie wants to be purple :)!

  

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

MAMMAL MONDAY GREATEST HITS!

Posted on August 27, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

We’re doing one more week of Ellie and Edmond’s Greatest Hits as we finish up some projects at headquarters! We hope you enjoy these fun animals!

MAMMAL MONDAY GREATEST HITS!!

On this Mammal Monday we went to the rainforests of South America to find our first primate! We have a very special friend today. It’s our first primate! These adorable little monkeys sport a wild hairdo! Let’s get ready to meet…

MEET THE COTTON TOP TAMARIN!

   Range/Habitat: Northwest South America/rainforest, forest

   Diet: Omnivore: fruit, plants, insects

   Length/Weight: 8-10”/14-16 oz

   Conservation Status: endangered

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • Cotton Top Tamarins are small New World monkeys. New World monkeys live in Central and South America.
  • They live in family troops of 10-12 monkeys that are made up of a mated pair and their offspring.
  • Cotton top tamarins often give birth to twins.
  • Like other tamarins, cotton top dads and older siblings help raise the babies. They carry the babies on their backs.
  • Cotton top tamarins are arboreal (they live in the trees).
  • Their tails are very long, 13-16”.  That’s longer than its body! The tail helps them balance while they get around in the trees.
  • Cotton top tamarins are very vocal and have lots of different calls, to express danger, fear, joy and playfulness.
  • They use calls to warn each other of predators. There are different warning calls for predators in the air and predators on the ground.

These little monkeys are about the size of a squirrel, but have much better hairdos :)! How great is it that they dad and siblings help with the babies?

 

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

FEATHERY FRIDAY GREATEST HITS!

Posted on August 24, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

FEATHERY FRIDAY GREATEST HITS!

We went to the desert on this day to meet a famous bird! Have you ever seen the cartoon where there’s a coyote and a roadrunner? Did you know that there are real roadrunners? Well they are real and they’re pretty cool! So let’s meet our feathery friend the…

MEET THE GREATER ROADRUNNER!

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

   Diet: Carnivore: lizards, snakes, scorpions and spiders

   Length/Weight: 22”/12 oz

   Conservation Status: Common

 

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • Greater Roadrunners can fly but spends most of its time on the ground.
  • They can reach speeds of up to 18 mph! That is one fast bird.
  • Greater roadrunners generally walk/run to catch their prey.
  • They use their large beaks to attack prey.
  • They have long tails that they lay flat when running.
  • Greater roadrunners have black skin under their feathers. They expose the skin to the sun to absorb heat.

We all love watching the coyote roadrunner cartoons, but the real roadrunner is more fun! They are fast and furious little birds. How fast can you run? You should try and be a roadrunner for the day!

  

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

SUPER SURPRISE THURSDAY GREATEST HITS!

Posted on August 23, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

SUPER SURPRISE THURSDAY GREATEST HITS!

We went to Australia to meet this feathery animal! Who is it, you say? Well it’s a bird you think would say who but this one doesn’t! Whooooo is it then?

MEET THE BOOBOOK OWL!

   Range/Habitat: Australia-South New Guinea/forests, grasslands, farmlands

   Diet: Carnivore: insects, birds, mammals

   Length/Weight: 12-14”/6-10oz

   Conservation Status: Common

 

 

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • Boobook owls are named after the call it makes.
  • They are nocturnal like other owls, but often feed at dusk and dawn too!
  • Boobook owls are specialists at catching prey in mid-air.
  • They have grey beaks and feet.
  • Both females and males take care of the chicks.

This funny little owl doesn’t make the typical who call! That’s what makes it so special! Listen to it here.

  

 

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

WATERY WEDNESDAY GREATEST HITS!

Posted on August 22, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

WATERY WEDNESDAY GREATEST HITS!

On this Water Wednesday we went to a coral reef to find a comical fish! Ok, this fish really isn’t that funny, but it is named after clowns and they’re usually funny, unless you’re scared of them! Let’s meet this fun fish…

MEET THE CLOWN TRIGGERFISH!

   Range/Habitat: Pacific-Indian Oceans/Coral reefs

   Diet: Carnivore: mollusks, crustaceans

   Length/Weight: up to 20”/up to 4 ½ lbs

   Conservation Status: Common

 

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • Clown triggerfish are very colorful.
  • They have strong and sharp teeth for crushing the shells of their prey.
  • Clown triggerfish can wedge in cracks and crevices of the reef when threatened by predators.
  • They usually do not use their tail fin to swim. They use their dorsal (top) and anal (bottom) fins to swim!
  • Clown triggerfish are very territorial.
  • Both male and female clown triggerfish protect the nest of eggs until they hatch.

These crazy looking Clown triggerfish sure are cool! If you could create your very own fish, what colors would you use?

 

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

REPTILIAN TUESDAY GREATEST HITS!

Posted on August 21, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

REPTILIAN TUESDAY GREATEST HITS!

We’re going to a coral reef today to meet a very cool reptile! Let’s get our snorkel gear and take a dip! We’re off to find a reptile who lives in the ocean!

MEET THE BANDED SEA KRAIT!

   Range/Habitat: Southern-South Eastern Asia/ tropical oceans-coral reefs

   Diet: Carnivore: fish, eels

   Length: 3 ¼-6 ½ ft

   Conservation Status: Common

 

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • Banded Sea Kraits are members of the sea snake families. They spend most of their lives in the ocean.
  • Banded sea kraits are highly venomous. They are more deadly than most land snakes.
  • They are not harmful to humans, because they have short fangs and are very docile.
  • Banded sea kraits have paddle shaped tails that help them swim.
  • They come on shore to lay their eggs.

Sea kraits are incredible snakes! Did you know there were snakes that lived in the ocean? We saw one while we snorkeling in Indonesia! It was awesome! If you could go snorkeling what animals would you like to see?

 

 

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

Blog at WordPress.com.