Environment

FEATHERY FRIDAY # 74

Posted on June 28, 2013 by Ellie and Edmond ©

FEATHERY FRIDAY #74

It’s Feathery Friday and we’re going to the tropical seas to meet a bird who spends most of it time out over open water. So let’s board the E & E boat and head out on today’s bird watching adventure!

e e boat

MEET THE SOOTY TERN!

sooty tern   Range/Habitat: Worldwide/ Tropical seas

   Diet: carnivore: fish

   Length: 13-14”

   Conservation Status: common 

 

Fun Facts:

  •          Sooty Terns are brownish-black on top with white on the bellies.
  •          They are often seen in large flocks over open ocean.
  •          Sooty terns swoop near the water to scoop up prey.
  •          Sooty terns do not dive.
  •          They nest in large colonies on small islands.
  •          Sooty terns have a life span of up to 32 years.

Sooty terns are beautiful birds. We love that there are amazing birds that fly over open waters looking for their dinner!

sooty tern2   sooty tern3

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

SUPER SURPRISE THURSDAY # 74

Posted on June 27, 2013 by Ellie and Edmond ©

SUPER SURPRISE THURSDAY # 74

It’s time to guess the animal! Look at the picture, read the clues and tell us who you think it is!

manatee

  • I live in the ocean and some fresh water rivers.
  • I am a mammal.
  • I am a very slow swimmer.

WHO AM I?

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

WATERY WEDNESDAY # 74

Posted on June 26, 2013 by Ellie and Edmond ©

WATERY WEDNESDAY # 74

 We’re flying back to the United States today and taking out our river boat to meet today’s fish. These fresh water predators are crazy looking! Grab your bug spray and let’s get ready to go….

e & e river boat

MEET THE LONGNOSE GAR!

longnose gar   Range/Habitat: Central- Eastern North America/ rivers-

   wetlands

   Diet: Carnivore: small fish

   Length/Weight:  4-6ft/ up to 33 lbs

   Conservation Status: common

 

Fun Facts:

  •          Longnose Gar have diamond shaped scales.
  •          They have long thin jaws that are full of sharp teeth.
  •          Longnose gar are ambush predators.
  •          Longnose gar have long slender bodies.
  •          Their fins are set way back on their bodies.

Longnose gar are really wild looking for fish. These fish have been around for about 100 million years. Wow! Who knew such ancient fish were swimming in our waters!

 longnose gar2    longnose gar3

 

 

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

REPTILIAN TUESDAY # 74

Posted on June 25, 2013 by Ellie and Edmond ©

REPTILIAN TUESDAY # 74

So we’re taking a boat from Madagascar to the continent of Africa to meet a very menacing snake. Get your safari gear on and your binoculars because we’ll be looking for this reptile from the safety of the E & E safari vehicle.

e & e safari van

MEET THE PUFF ADDER!

puff adder   Range/Habitat: Africa (south of the Sahara)/ grasslands

   Diet: Carnivore: small mammals, birds

   Length:  3 ¼ ft

   Conservation Status: common

 

Fun Facts:

  •          Puff Adders are thick bodied and wide snakes.
  •          They are yellow-brown in color with white chevrons.
  •          Puff Adders are highly venomous.
  •          Male puff adders are smaller than the females.
  •          Puff Adders are ambush predators.

Puff adders are very scary looking snakes. None the less they deserve our respect! All snakes are essential parts of their ecosystems whether they are cute or not.

puff adder2   puff adder3

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

MAMMAL MONDAY # 74

Posted on June 24, 2013 by Ellie and Edmond ©

MAMMAL MONDAY # 74

It’s just another Mammal Monday and we sure are happy about that! We’re hoping a plane and heading to that one of kind island, Madagascar! Grab your luggage, snacks and night goggles and let’s go meet…

e & e night rainforest

MEET THE FAT TAILED LEMUR!

fat tailed lemur   Range/Habitat: Madagascar/ rainforest

   Diet: Omnivore: insects, flowers, fruits

   Length/Weight: 7-10”/ 6 oz

   Conservation Status: common

 

Fun Facts:

  •          Fat tailed lemurs store fat in their body and tails.
  •          Fat tailed lemurs go into a torpid state (period of slower metabolism and activity) during the dry season.
  •          They are arboreal (spend most of their time in trees).
  •          Fat tailed lemurs are one of the smallest members of the lemur family.
  •          They are nocturnal.
  •          They have a 15-20 year life span.

Fat tailed lemurs are so cute. It is so cool that they spend up to 6 months in an inactive state during the dry season. They live off the fat in their tails! Neat!

fat tailed lemur2

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

WE ARE FANIMALY!!

Posted on June 23, 2013 by Ellie and Edmond ©

WE ARE FANIMALY!

We’re going to introduce you two relatives in the animal kingdom! One of them happens to be Edmond!

Image

Horse Fun Facts:

  • Horses have the largest eye of any land mammal!
  • Horses have 36-40 teeth.
  • Horse hooves are made up of keratin.
  • Horses are herbivores.
  • Horses can see nearly 360 degrees around them.
  • Horses only sleep 2-3 hours a day.

Tapir Fun Facts:

  • Tapirs have been around for millions of years.
  • Tapirs have an extended lip and nose that makes a mini prehensile trunk.
  • Tapirs are herbivores.
  • Tapirs are excellent swimmers.
  • Tapirs have an odd number of toes.
  • Tapir toes are splayed to help them walk on muddy river banks.

Wow! Who knew Edmond’s family tree included tapirs? Baby tapirs are spotted and quiet cute! We had some friends say they look like watermelons with legs :)!

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

FEATHERY FRIDAY # 73

Posted on June 21, 2013 by Ellie and Edmond ©

FEATHERY FRIDAY #73

Woohoo for Friday! It’s that day where we meet a feathery friend! We’re going to South America to meet a bird of prey who has a very particular prey! Grab your wellies because we’re heading in to the marshes!

e & e wetlands

MEET THE SNAIL KITE!

sail kite   Range/Habitat: Cuba-Central & South America/ wetlands-marshes

   Diet: Carnivore: apple snails

   Length/Weight: 16-18”/ 13-14 oz

   Conservation Status: common 

 

Fun Facts:

  •          Snail Kites fly slowly and low to the ground to spot their snail meals.
  •          They have a curved beak they use to remove the snail from its shell.
  •          Male snail kites are dark grey.
  •          Female snail kites are brown.
  •          Snail kites nest in bushes or on the ground.

Snail kites are gorgeous! Often birds of prey are not so specialized when it comes to food. We do wonder if apple snails taste like apples though. If they do, Edmond might try them out!

sail kite2   sail kite3

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

SUPER SURPRISE THURSDAY # 73

Posted on June 20, 2013 by Ellie and Edmond ©

SUPER SURPRISE THURSDAY # 73

Look at the picture, read the clues and then tell us who the animal is!

african wild dog

  • I live in Africa.
  • I am a member of the canine family.
  • I have very large ears.

WHO AM I?

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

WATERY WEDNESDAY # 73

Posted on June 19, 2013 by Ellie and Edmond ©

WATERY WEDNESDAY # 73

 It’s time to hop aboard the E & E sub today and meet a fish with big teeth! There’s always room for everyone has we head out to the Pacific Ocean to meet…

e e deep sea

MEET THE WOLF HERRING!

wolf herring   Range/Habitat: Indo-Pacific Ocean/ ocean

   Diet: Carnivore: fish

   Length/Weight:  3 ¼ ft/ 14 oz

Conservation Status: common

 

Fun Facts:

  •          Wolf Herrings are the largest member of the herring family.
  •          They are bright blue in coloration.
  •          Wolf herrings are active hunters.
  •          Wolf herrings have two fang-like teeth that protrude out of their mouth.
  •          They are known to hunt in small groups.

Wolf herrings are truly predators with those large teeth. We sure wouldn’t want to meet with that end of these fish!

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

REPTILIAN TUESDAY # 73

Posted on June 18, 2013 by Ellie and Edmond ©

REPTILIAN TUESDAY # 73

We’re hoping a plane to Australia on this Reptilian Tuesday. We’re going to meet a lizard today. Do you think they say good day mate?

e e woods

MEET THE MAJOR SKINK!

major skink   Range/Habitat: South New Guinea- Northeast Australia/forest

   Diet: Carnivore: insects, small invertebrates

   Length: 23 ½-28”

   Conservation Status: common

 

Fun Facts:

  •          Major skinks have a squarish shaped body.
  •          They have muscular legs.
  •          Major skinks are dark brown with a yellow underside.
  •          Major skinks are often seen basking in the sun.
  •          Female major skinks can have up to 6 babies per litter.

Major skinks are funny looking with their little short legs and blunt noses. We love all skinks and these guys are no exception.

major skink2

 

Categories: adventure, Animals, Children, conservation, education, Environment, nature, reptiles, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

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