lizards

REPTILIAN TUESDAY # 41

Posted on July 24, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

REPTILIAN TUESDAY # 41

We’re staying in western Africa today to meet a brightly colored lizard! Be careful where you step though, these little reptiles like to live among the leaves of the rainforest floor! Let’s be quiet and see if we can find…

MEET THE AFRICAN FIRE SKINK

   Range/Habitat: West-Central Africa/ rainforests

   Diet: Insectivore: insects, spiders

   Length: 9-14”

   Conservation Status: common

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • African Fire Skinks are also called the fire-sided skink.
  • They have red and black bands on their body and blue and black bands on their tails.
  • African fire skinks live in the leaf litter of the rainforest floor.
  • They burrow underground.
  • African fire skinks can shed their tails.
  • They can live for 15-20 years.

These skinks are so colorful. Everyone thinks lizards are green or brown, but they can come in a huge variety of colors. Do you have a favorite lizard?

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

REPTILIAN TUESDAY # 41

Posted on July 17, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

REPTILIAN TUESDAY # 41

Let’s pack our bags and head off to the Far East today to find a brightly colored lizard! Grab your wellies because we’re heading into the wetlands to locate these little reptiles! Are you ready?

MEET THE CHINESE CROCODILE LIZARD!

   Range/Habitat: East Asia (China)/ wetlands

   Diet: Carnivore: fish, tadpoles, insects

   Length: 15- 18”

   Conservation Status: vulnerable

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • Chinese crocodile lizards have enlarged scales down their tails, similar looking to crocodiles.
  • They live near or in watery habitats.
  • Chinese crocodile lizards are excellent swimmers and can stay submerged for long periods of time.
  • They will “freeze” or stay perfectly still for hours to defend themselves.
  • They can even shut down on extremely cold evenings.
  • Chinese crocodile lizards are called by local people “lizards of great sleepiness”.
  • Male Chinese crocodile lizards are more colorful than the females.

Wow! These lizards are amazing! They look a bit like little dinosaurs. Watching them has made us soooo sleepy. Who else needs a nap?

  

 

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

REPTILIAN TUESDAY # 40

Posted on July 10, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

REPTILIAN TUESDAY # 40

We’re off to the rainforests of Central America to meet a really cool reptile that has a special adaptation! Can you run on top of water? We didn’t think so! Let’s head out on today’s adventure!

MEET THE PLUMED BASILISK!

   Range/Habitat: Central America/ rainforests-wetlands

   Diet: Omnivore: insects, rodents, fruits

   Length: 23 ½-30”

   Conservation Status: common

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • Plumed Basilisks are arboreal (they live in trees).
  • They live near streams and rivers.
  • Plumed basilisks run across the surface of the water on their hind feet.
  • Plumed basilisks have 3 crests on body; on their head, back and tails.
  • They are excellent swimmers and can stay under water for 30 minutes.
  • Male plumed basilisks are very territorial. They preside over a territory with numerous females.

These lizards are sooo cool! Can you believe they can run on water? We wish we could do that, alas we only doggie paddle, or elephant and horse paddle in this case!

  

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

AMERICAN ANIMALS DAY #2

Posted on July 3, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

AMERICAN ANIMALS WEEK DAY #2

It’s day two of American Animals week and we drove the RV down to the Southwestern United States to find a really cool reptile! Grab your sunscreen or mud and your sunglasses, because it’s going to be a hot one!

MEET THE GILA MONSTER!

   Range/Habitat: Southwestern US-desert, scrub, rocky outcrops

   Diet: Carnivore: eggs and small animals

   Length: 14-20 “

   Conservation Status: threatened

 

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • Gila Monsters are one of two venomous lizards in the whole world (the other is the Guatemalan Beaded Lizard.)
  • They brightly colored to ward of predators.
  • Gila Monsters have a forked tongue like a snake and it helps them “smell” for prey.
  • They inject venom into their prey when they bite. They have special glands in their lower jaw that stores the venom.
  • Gila monsters’ tails store fat so they can survive when food is scarce or when they hibernate in the winter.
  • Gila monsters have bumpy heads. Those bumps are part of their skull.
  • They are not harmful to humans, despite their bad reputation! So Gila Monsters aren’t so monstrous after all!

We think Gila monsters are super cool! These amazing reptiles are protected here! That is good news, because it sure would be a shame if we didn’t have this neat lizard to see!

  

 


 

 

 

 

 

Categories: american, Animals, Children, education, Environment, lizards, nature, reptiles, science, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , , | 2 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

REPTILIAN TUESDAY # 36

Posted on May 29, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

REPTILIAN TUESDAY # 36

North Africa is the place to be today! We’ve backed our bags, sunscreen and hats to find this desert dwelling reptile! These little guys like to burrow so let’s get on our hands and knees and see what we can find!

MEET THE BERBER SKINK!

   Range/Habitat: North Africa- West Asia/ desert

   Diet: Omnivore: insects, spiders, snails, plants

   Length: 16-18”

   Conservation Status: common

 

Fun Facts:

  • Berber skinks are also known as the Schneider’s skink.
  • They are the largest member of the skink family.
  • Berber skinks have orange scales on blue-gray backs.
  • They dig burrows under shrubs and bushes.
  • Berber skinks have long tails and short legs.
  • Female berber skinks lay 3-20 eggs. She then wraps herself around the eggs til they hatch.

These skinks sure are pretty with their colorful scales! We are such huge fans of all lizards! They are so diverse! They live in all kinds of habitats, come in all sizes and colors and have amazing adaptations! Do you have a favorite lizard?

  

 

 

 

 

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

ENDANGERED SPECIES DAY!

Posted on May 18, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

ENDANGERED SPECIES DAY!

 Today is a day to celebrate the Endangered Species Act here in America! It was enacted in 1973 and was set up to protect animal and plant species! There are also two international organizations that work to protect animals, CITES and IUCN.

We’re celebrating Endangered Species Day, by picking a few organizations that are working to save endangered animals!

 

First up: The San Diego Global Wildlife Conservancy. They work in the wild and with the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park to actively protect wildlife. They’ve even reintroduced more than 30 species back into the wild! Our pal on twitter @ZooKeeperRick shared this video with us all about their efforts! They’ve had success with iguanas, pandas and California condors!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next up: Is the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. The staff and volunteers at the center work hard to rehabilitate and reintroduce all species of sea turtles! They have a hospital and education center. They also keep track of all the sea turtle nests each season on the Georgia coast! Check out our post on when we visited!

 

 

Last up: The Kakapo Parrot! These critically endangered parrots are the largest of all parrots! They are also flightless, which is one reason they have declined in the wild. These amazing birds live in New Zealand, where rescue organizations are working very hard to save them! Check out the Kakapo Recovery website!

 

The National Wildlife Federation has a great page with more success stories!

 

We all can work to help endangered species all around the world, even with small steps! A huge problem is habitat loss for many animals. One way to combat this is by recycling glass, paper, plastic & aluminum. You can find a local recycling center near you- here! You can also help endangered animals by educating yourself and joining organizations like the National Wildlife Federation, World Wildlife Fund or the Nature Conservancy.  You can also pay a visit to your local zoo, aquarium or nature center; often they are helping support animals in the wild and in their facilities with research and education! And one last thing you can do is to share your love of animals and wild places with others! Often your passion will spark that in other people! We’re going to leave you today with some adorable photos of some endangered species and hopefully they will inspire you to act!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Categories: Animals, apes, birds, Children, education, Environment, lizards, mammals, nature, oceans, orangutans, reptiles, science, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

REPTILIAN TUESDAY # 34

Posted on May 15, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

REPTILIAN TUESDAY # 34

It’s the day of the week to meet a reptile friend! We’re off to the Mediterranean today to find a little lizard who loves to crawl up walls! Get your flash lights out because these lizards like to hunt bugs in the dark! Let’s go!!!

MEET THE MOORISH GECKO!

   Range/Habitat: North Africa-Mediterranean/ scrub, dry stone

   Diet: Insectivore: moths, insects

   Length: 4-6 ½”

   Conservation Status: common

 

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • Moorish Geckos are also known as crocodile geckos.
  • They have flat heads and bodies.
  • They love to climb vertical surfaces, such as walls of homes or stone walls.
  • Moorish geckos have adhesive toe pads to help them climb.
  • They are nocturnal (active at night).
  • Moorish geckos are known to bask in the sun, especially in the winter.
  • Female Moorish geckos are known to lay eggs in a communal nest with other geckos.

 

These little geckos sure are cute! It would be fun to share your house with them, especially because they are great at eating pests! Yes, Mr. Moorish Gecko come in and have a meal J!

 

Categories: Animals, backyard, Children, education, Environment, gardens, lizards, reptiles, science, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

REPTILIAN TUESDAY # 32

Posted on April 24, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

REPTILIAN TUESDAY # 32

It’s time to meet another reptile friend today and we’ve found a very teeny tiny lizard for you to meet. Grab your rain slicker, because we’re going to a rainforest! Don’t forget your magnifying glass, because these dudes are little!

MEET THE WESTERN PYGMY CHAMELEON!

   Range/Habitat: Western Central Africa/ rainforest

   Diet: Insectivore: small insects

   Length: 2 ¾-4”

   Conservation Status: common

 

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • Western Pygmy Chameleons are one of the world’s smallest chameleons.
  • They have long sticky tongues to help them catch insects.
  • Western pygmy chameleons are primarily ground dwellers.
  • They are leaf-like in color and shape to help them camouflage in with their habitat.
  • Western pygmy chameleons have a small horn on their snout.
  • They have a limited ability to change their color.
  • Like other chameleons, Western pygmy chameleon’s eyes move independently of each other.

Ok, seriously we know we think all animals are cute, but you can’t deny that these tiny little lizards are just adorable. Chameleons have the most amazing ability to camouflage too! Animals are just amazing!!

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

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