conservation

Unicorns of the Sea!

Posted on December 20, 2016 by Ellie and Edmond ©

Unicorns of the Sea!

We couldn’t resist to make one last stop in our trip to the Arctic Circle to see some narwhals! They are one of our favorites- we even have two narwhals living at HQs! We had a great time on the SS Ellie and Edmond boat watching these unicorns of the sea!

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Date: 12/20

Location: arctic circle

  • The Narwhal is often called the unicorn of the sea.
  • They have the most northerly range of any mammal on the planet.
  • Narwhals have a modified upper incisor tooth that grows up to 9ft long.
  • This tooth looks like a horn. It grows through the upper mouth and is seen mostly in male Narwhals, but females can have small tusks.  Scientists aren’t completely sure what the purpose of the tusk is, but think it might be for attracting females.
  • The long tusk is made of ivory, just like an elephants tusks!

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  • Narwhals have a thick layer of blubber, like other arctic animals that help keep them warm in the cold water.
  • Narwhals swim in groups called pods. Pods can include as many as 1000 individuals.
  • Narwhals are very communicative and use a wide range sounds, including clicks and whistles.
  • They suck food through their powerful lips and tongue.

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Narwhals are amazing animals! They survive in very cold waters and grow this awesome long tusk that makes them look unique!  If you could pick a crazy adaptation like tusks what would it be?

 

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Foxy

Posted on December 19, 2016 by Ellie and Edmond ©

Foxy

We’re meeting our last few animals this week before heading home to HQs at the University for the holidays. We wrapped up in our cold weather gear to head out and find the Arctic Fox. These amazing little mammals survive in some of the worst conditions. It’s amazing!

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Date: 12/19

Location: Arctic circle

  • Arctic fox have white coats of fur in the winter to help them blend in with snow. In the summer, their coats turn to brown.
  • Arctic fox’s tails are large and bushy. They help them with balance and they help keep them warm on the coldest days of winter.

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  • Arctic fox don’t hibernate- despite living in such cold conditions.
  • Arctic fox will gain up to 50% of their body weight in the fall to prepare for winter.
  • They live in dens with complex tunnels that are not deep in the ground.
  • Arctic fox are the only native mammal in Iceland.
  • The arctic fox’s range was much larger during the ice age.

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We had a great time watching a few fox around the tundra. These gorgeous little beauties are cunning hunters and scavengers. We are glad we don’t live where they do for sure! It is cold!

 

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Arctic Shark

Posted on December 15, 2016 by Ellie and Edmond ©

Arctic Shark

We boarded the E&E submarine to meet our last animal this week- the Greenland shark. We spotted one of these elusive and majestic in the cold waters of the north Atlantic ocean. It was a big thrill!

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Date: 12/15

Location: North Atlantic

  • Greenland sharks are members of the sleeper shark family.
  • Females are larger than males.
  • Greenland sharks’ upper teeth lack the serration that most shark teeth have. It is the lower teeth that do most of the work.
  • Not much was known about these sharks before the 1930s.

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  • Greenland sharks only grow about 1 cm a year.
  • These sharks are very slow swimmers and have slow metabolisms. These adaptations help them survive in extremely low temperatures.
  • Greenland sharks will migrate to warmer waters in winter, when they do so they will do to deeper depths.
  • They are the only true arctic dwelling shark.
  • Most Greenland sharks have parasitic copepods attached to their eyes that render them blind.
  • Their flesh is extremely toxic.

We have a great time in the E&E sub on the search for these amazing creatures. Most other sharks could not survive in the temps that Greenland sharks do. Nature continually amazes us; just when you think nothing could live there in that harsh environment- we are proved wrong! Neat!

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Meeting the Caribou!

Posted on December 14, 2016 by Ellie and Edmond ©

Meeting the Caribou!

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Date: 12/14

Location: Arctic circle

  • Reindeer are also called caribou.
  • They vary in color and size depending on where they live. Reindeer that live closest to the arctic are white in color.
  • Both female and male reindeer have antlers. Males lose their antlers in the winter.
  • Reindeer antlers are covered in a layer of fur called velvet.
  • Their noses are specialized to warm cold air before it enters their lungs.

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  • Reindeer have a four chambered stomach!
  • One of their favorite foods is called reindeer moss.
  • Some reindeer populations migrate. They can migrate up to 3,000 miles in one year! Whew, they must be tired!

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We have seen reindeer before, but our excitement never diminishes. These graceful members of the deer family with their velvet covered antlers are so amazing! Plus we are always on the lookout for one with a shiny red nose and we have yet to find one! Haha!

 

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Puffins Rock!

Posted on December 13, 2016 by Ellie and Edmond ©

Puffins Rock!

After watching walruses we took a late flight over to Nova Scotia so that we would arrive early in the morning. We were on a mission to to meet the awesome bird the puffin! These sea going birds are one of our favorites! We were excited to see them.

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Date: 12/13

Location: Arctic circle/Nova Scotia

  • The Atlantic Puffin is a highly social bird that lives in large colonies on rocky coasts and islands.
  • They have bright orange beaks that are brighter during mating season. They also have bright orange feet. They’ve been called the “sea parrot” because of their bright coloration.
  • Male and female Atlantic Puffins incubate eggs.
  • Atlantic Puffins spend their winters out in the open ocean.
  • They are excellent swimmers and divers. They can dive up to 200 ft deep.

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  • They can catch several fish at one time.
  • Atlantic Puffins are the Provincial (official) bird of Newfoundland, Canada.
  • Although they look like those flightless birds the penguin, puffins are not related to them.

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Puffins are so gorgeous with their bright colored feet and beaks. These birds are masters at diving like their cousins the flightless penguin, but they do it from high in the sky! We could have watched them all day!

 

 

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We are the Walrus

Posted on December 12, 2016 by Ellie and Edmond ©

We are the Walrus

We’re off to the Pacific ocean in Northern Canada to meet the gregarious, fat and funny walrus. We love these giant marine mammals and we couldn’t have been more excited to see them again! We made sure to bundle up before making our way over on the ice!

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Date: 12/12

Location: Arctic circle

  • Walrus eat prey off the bottom of the oceans and use suction to eat.
  • They can stay underwater for up to 25 minutes and can dive down to 330ft deep.
  • They are highly social and often are seen in large groups, called herds.
  • Male walruses are twice the size of females.
  • They have rough wrinkly skin and very whiskery faces.
  • A walrus’ skin can be up to 4″ thick.

 

  • Walruses have tusks of ivory. They can grow up to 3 ft 3” long.
  • Walrus babies can weigh up to 174lbs when born.
  • Like seals, they lack external ears.

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Those magnificent tusks always remind Ellie of her tusks. These social animals always make us laugh with their grunting and barking sounds. We can’t even handle how they get around- so funny!

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The Real Wolverine!

Posted on December 8, 2016 by Ellie and Edmond ©

The Real Wolverine

We headed out to meet the real wolverine, the furry ferocious animal that is famous for its tenacious attitude! This arctic dwellers are so cool!

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Date: 12/8

Location: Arctic Circle

  • Wolverines are solitary.
  • They occupy a large territory and will roam up to 15 miles a day.
  • Wolverines live in North America, Asia and Europe.
  • They are called the “skunk bear” by the Blackfeet Indians.

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  • Wolverines do not hibernate.
  • Their dense fur helps them stay warm even in the snowiest conditions.
  • Wolverines have webbed feet that act like snowshoes.
  • Females give birth to 2-5 kits (babies) in late winter in a den. The kits are white!
  • Wolverines are often found in rugged areas.
  • They have a strong sense of smell. They can find carrion buried 6 feet in the snow.

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These little furry animals are very cute, but they are tough and territorial. It’s best not to confront one. Even though they are listed by the IUCN as Least Concern, they have disappeared from much of their home range. They are no longer found in most of the US now, even though they once called the Rockies home.

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Cold Weather Hare

Posted on December 7, 2016 by Ellie and Edmond ©

Cold Weather Hare

We were so excited to meet today’s animal. Yesterday we met the snowy owl and today we met another white fluffy animal in the cold weather. Instead of the feathery kind of animal, we met a furry one!

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Date: 12/7

Location: Arctic Circle

  • They have thick coats of fur that turn brown-gray in the summer and white in the winter to help them camouflage.
  • Up to 20% of their body is fat!
  • Arctic hares have large feet that help them walk in the snow.

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  • Arctic hares have smaller ears to help them regulate their body heat, smaller ears lose less heat!
  • They hide in rocky outcrops and crevices.
  • Arctic hares do not hibernate.
  • They can be solitary or found in groups.

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We had such a great time spotting these white hares. We love their ears withe the dark patches. Those dark spots absorb the heat. They are hardy little mammals. We are amazed at the adaptations that animals have to survive such harsh habitats.

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Fluffy White Owl

Posted on December 6, 2016 by Ellie and Edmond ©

Fluffy White Owl

We started out our Arctic circle adventure looking for one of its most famous residents. We went out looking for the snowy owl. These large owls are known from the Harry Potter books. They are amazing and so cool to see!

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Date: 12/6

Location: Northern Canada- arctic circle

  • Snowy owls are covered in long white feathers. The feathers cover every part of them including their feet and beak.
  • They are most active at dusk and dawn, but are diurnal (active during the day) during the summer when there is little darkness.

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  • Females are larger than males and have molted or spotted brown colors on their feathers. This helps them blend in with the ground.
  • Snowy owls nest on the ground.
  • They have excellent hearing and eyesight.
  • Snowy owls mate for life and both the male and female take care of the chicks.
  • Snowy owls are ambush predators!

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After watching these amazing predators for several hours, we headed back to our cabin for the rest of the day to warm up. We had to rest up to meet tomorrow’s animal.

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

Off to the Arctic

Posted on December 5, 2016 by Ellie and Edmond ©

Off to the Arctic

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We had such a great time in the Pacific Northwest in November, but it’s off to the Arctic for December. The arctic is so iconic during this time of year, as it is the home of the big fat guy in the red suit- Santa! We thought it would be fun to meet the animals that call the Arctic home including; reindeer, owls, fox and marine mammals! We can hardly wait to meet these amazing creatures that have adapted to live in this cold weather climate.

We have packed a whole bunch of gear and we’ll be wearing our cold weather gear when we go on our adventures. Horses and elephants are built for these cold temps- but that’s the fun of going on adventures- surviving the habitat and weather!

Fun Arctic Facts:

  • The Arctic is the northern most habitat on our earth. The Arctic circle runs through Asia, Europe and North America.
  • The Arctic has one day of full night (during winter) and one day of full light (during summer).
  • The Arctic gets is name from the Greek word for bear- Arktos. This is from the constellations that are over the northern skies- Little Bear & Great Bear.
  • The Arctic ocean lies within the Arctic circle.
  • Much of the Arctic is the tundra, which has permanent frozen ground. Most plants that grow in the Arctic are small shrubs, moss and lichen.

Grab your cold weather gear and let’s get ready for a great adventure this month!

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