Environment

Aye-Aye Captain!

Posted on March 14, 2017 by Ellie and Edmond ©

Aye-Aye Captain!

We slept all day after looking for frogs the night before! Our next adventure was at night too. We went looking for a shy and elusive primate that doesn’t look like a primate at all!

aye aye

IMG_2874

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date: 3/14

Location:  Madagascar

Aye-Aye Fun Facts:

  • Aye-aye’s are the largest nocturnal primate in the world.
  • They are members of the prosimian family, which includes lemurs.
  • They have one long stick like finger they use to grab grubs out of trees. They also use it to tap on trees and listen for bug tunnels!
  • Aye-aye’s are arboreal and rarely if never come to the ground.

IMG_2875

  • Aye-aye’s have long bushy tails to help them navigate their tree homes. In fact they have the longest tail of any prosimian!
  • They sleep during the day in nests of twigs. They rotate nests.
  • Aye-aye’s are solitary. They mark their territory with scent glands in their faces, necks and bums.

aye aye2

These wild and weird animals are alien looking! When scientists first discovered them they thought they were rodents! Nope- they are primates- related to apes, monkeys and lemurs. Who knew? The world’s rainforests are full such amazing creatures!

Categories: adventure, Animals, Children, conservation, endangered species, Environment, mammals, nature, science, Today's Post, Uncategorized, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Fat Tails

Posted on March 7, 2017 by Ellie and Edmond ©

Fat Tails

We spent our first night on the island exploring a forest near by. We managed to spot one of the smallest lemur species- the Fat Tailed Dwarf Lemur! Edmond could hardly contain his excitement, good thing I kept him quiet because he would have scared them away.

fat-tail

img_2754

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date: 3/6

Location: Madagascar

Fat Tailed Lemur Fun Facts:

  • Fat tailed lemurs are solitary during the wet season.
  • Fat tailed lemurs are nocturnal.
  • They mark their territories by leaving feces on branches.

img_2755

  • During the fall, fat tail lemurs gorge themselves and store fat in their tails. They can increase their weight by 40%.
  • During winter fat tailed lemurs enter a state of torpor- when their metabolisms slow down, their body temperatures drop and they are much less active.
  • Fat tailed lemurs can live up to 6 months in torpor.
  • They often share a den in a hollowed out tree with other fat tailed lemurs during the dry season when they are in torpor.

fat-tail2

We were so glad we caught a glimpse of these shy little lemurs. It’s just time for them to find a good napping spot for the dry season. Yaaaawn, speaking of naps- we need one after staying up all night.

Categories: adventure, Animals, Children, conservation, endangered species, Environment, nature, science, Today's Post, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Fishing for an Eagle

Posted on February 23, 2017 by Ellie and Edmond ©

Fishing for an Eagle

It’s our last day here in Africa. We head on vacation next week, so new posts til March. We will definitely be coming back! In March we will be heading to the large island just off the coast of Africa- Madagascar. Woohoo! Today we meet a large bird – the African Fishing Eagle.

fish-eagle

img_2361

 

 

 

 

 

Date: 2/23

Location: Serengeti

African Fish Eagle Fun Facts:

  • Female African Fish Eagles are larger than the males.
  • They have white heads and bodies and brown/black wings.
  • African fish eagles are known for their loud cry that can be heard around their habitats.

img_2362

  • They build nests in trees close to the water. The nests grow in size every year.
  • African fish eagles can live up to 24 years in the wild.
  • They are the national bird of Zimbabwe and they appear on Zimbabwe’s flag.

fish-eagle2

fish-eagle3

 

 

 

 

 

We had a fabulous time in Africa. We are super excited to head to Madagascar in March though! Woohoo!

Categories: adventure, Animals, birds, Children, conservation, education, Environment, nature, science, Today's Post, wildlife | 1 Comment

The Infamous Badger

Posted on February 22, 2017 by Ellie and Edmond ©

The Infamous Badger

We have spent our day looking for an infamous inhabitant of the Serengeti- the honey badger! These tenacious creatures are the stuff of legends. We learned so much about them!

honey-badger3

img_2340

 

 

 

 

 

Date: 2/22

Location: Serengeti

Honey Badger Fun Facts:

  • Another name for the honey badger is the ratel.
  • They have loose thick skin that helps protect them from predators. Even porcupine quills can not penetrate it.
  • Honey badgers live in burrows. They can dig a hiding burrow in a matter of minutes.
  • Honey badgers are intelligent and are known to use tools.

img_2341

  • They are tenacious and will attack animals much larger than themselves, including lions.
  • Honey badgers have a gland at the base of their tale that releases a foul smelling liquid. It is used to mark their territory and to ward off predators.
  • They partner with honeyguide birds to locate a hive. The birds enjoy the spoils after the honey badger destroys the hive.

honey-badger2

honey-badger

 

 

 

 

 

We love these nasty, tough critters. They are one of the most fascinating animals we have seen. We sure wouldn’t pick a fight with one!

Categories: adventure, africa, Animals, Children, conservation, education, Environment, mammals, nature, science, Today's Post, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

A is for Aardvark

Posted on February 21, 2017 by Ellie and Edmond ©

A is for Aardvark

We had a lovely weekend exploring the area on our own. We headed out Sunday night with our ranger to see if we could find one super awesome and odd looking animal- the aardvark. We were so excited to find one snuffling around for eats!

img_2317

Date: 2/20

Location: Serengeti

Aardvark Fun Facts:

  • Aardvarks are burrowers. They live in large burrows during the day and forage for food at night.
  • They have large claws for digging in to ant and termite mounds. Those claws also help protect them.
  • Aardvarks have long tongues they use to eat their favorite meal. They close their nostrils to avoid dust and getting the insects in their snouts.

img_2318

  • Aardvarks have a keen sense of hearing with those large ears.
  • They have tough skin with little fur that helps protect them from insect bites.
  • Aardvarks can eat up 50,000 insects a day.
  • Aardvarks have webbed feet.

img_2319

aardvark2

Aardvarks are funny looking creatures with their large ears, long thick tails, snouts & claws. They are the most fun if you ask us! We can’t help but giggle when we see one! Do you love them as much as we do?

Categories: adventure, Animals, Children, conservation, education, Environment, mammals, nature, science, Today's Post, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Hornbills

Posted on February 16, 2017 by Ellie and Edmond ©

Hornbills

We enjoyed the best day learning more about some super neat birds- the Southern Ground Hornbill. We headed back to camp after getting to know them and then enjoyed a lovely night at base camp listening to the lions roar.

hornbill2

img_2243

 

 

 

 

 

Date: 2/16

Location: Serengeti

Southern Ground Hornbill Fun Facts:

  • Southern Ground hornbills earned that name, because they spend most of their time on the ground foraging for food.
  • They are the largest of the hornbill family.
  • Females have a blue/black patch on their red throat pouch.
  • Southern Ground hornbills live in small family groups with a dominant pair.
  • The other birds help the dominate pair raise the young.
  • They are famous for their low pitches, haunting call.

img_2244

  • Ground hornbills can live up to 50-60 years.
  • They are known to groom warthogs to eat the parasites that live on them.

hornbill

honrbill

 

 

 

 

 

We love these vocal birds! They have such personalities! And the best eyelashes to help keep dirt out of their eyes. That is a great adaptation out on the Serengeti plain!

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

Gotta Have Heart

Posted on February 14, 2017 by Ellie and Edmond ©

Gotta Have Heart

Since it’s Valentine’s Day, we thought we would share some fun facts about animal hearts!

img_2237

 

img_2238

 

 

 

 

 

 

img_2239

 

img_2241

img_2242

 

 

 

 

 

 

img_2236

img_2240

 

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

Hello Antelope!

Posted on February 13, 2017 by Ellie and Edmond ©

Hello Antelope!

So nice to start off the week off enjoying the herds of animals on the plains! We took particular interest in the common eland. These large antelopes are graceful!

common-eland3

img_2208

 

 

 

 

 

Date: 2/13

Location: Serengeti

Common Eland Fun Facts:

  • The common eland is the second largest antelope in the world. The giant eland is the biggest.
  • Eland is Dutch for Elk.

img_2211

  • A male’s horns are thicker and shorter. They use their horns to compete for females during mating season.
  • Females use their horns for defense.
  • While they are not the fastest antelope, they can run long distances at slower speeds. They can also jump up to 8 ft.
  • Common elands are crepuscular.
  • They make a clicking sound when walking or running. This is unusual for antelopes.

 

common-eland2

common-eland

 

 

 

 

 

We loved watching these large and graceful animals. Often when you think of antelopes, you think of Thompson Gazelles. But these gentle giants and their tapping toes are super neat!

Categories: adventure, Animals, Children, conservation, education, Environment, mammals, nature, science, Today's Post, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Ellie and Edmond Valentine’s

Posted on February 10, 2017 by Ellie and Edmond ©

Ellie and Edmond Valentine’s

We made our annual Valentine’s for you to print and share! Save the photos to make cards or signs or to decorate a Valentine mailbox! Let your imagination go wild!

And if you are in the mood to send your sweetie something extra special-click on

Edmond’s Valentine Video and share the link with all your pals!

img_1822

img_1821

Categories: adventure, Animals, Children, crafts, education, Environment, nature, science, Today's Post, Valentines, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Pinkies!

Posted on February 9, 2017 by Ellie and Edmond ©

Pinkies!

We’re back- after having an internet issue out here in the Serengeti, we got our signal back. We headed off to meet some bright pink birds! Flamingos are always one of our favorites!

img_2150

flamingo2

Date: 2/9

Location: Serengeti

Lesser Flamingo Fun Facts:

  • Lesser flamingos have black edges on their wings.
  • They have deep red bills and crimson legs.
  • Flamingos have no sense of smell.

img_2151

  • Lesser flamingos are famous for their group mating dances. These can include a few bird or up to several hundred.
  • Male and females incubate the egg.
  • Lesser flamingos travel around lakes to find food.

flamingo

We had fun watching these fabulous flamingos dance around and eat. We love long legged birds and flamingos fit the bill. Hehehe!

 

Categories: adventure, Animals, birds, Children, conservation, education, endangered species, Environment, nature, science, Today's Post, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Blog at WordPress.com.