mammals

GOING BATTY!

We’re going batty today! We thought it would be fun to talk bats- what makes a bat a bat? Do you have any guesses?

Let’s find out!

• Bats are the only true flying mammal on earth!
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• There are over 1,000 different species on earth.
• Bats have specialized wings that help them fly- bat wings have five appendages- including a thumb on top to help them climbs.
• Bat wings are covered in a thin membrane called the patagium.

• Scientists believe that bats evolved around 100 million years ago.
• Bats are nocturnal.
• There are around 1,000 different species of bats.
• Some bats eat insects, some eat fruit and a few species- drink blood.
• Fruit bats are also called flying foxes. They are important as they disperse seeds in their tropical habitats.
• Bats use echolocation to detect prey, especially flying insects.
• Most bats are very social and live in large groups.
• Bat do sleep upside down!
• Bats come in small and large sizes.

We sure do love bats! Now you know a few things that make a bat a bat! They are often feared, but without them we would be in big trouble! We need bats to disperse seeds and to help keep insect populations in check- one brown bat can eat 1,200 mosquitoes an hour! Keep up the good work our flying mammal friends! What do you love about bats?

INTERNATIONAL RHINO DAY!!!

Happy International Rhino Day (it’s actually tomorrow- but that is World Red Panda Day too- so we will have a post for that too)! We’re celebrating Edmond’s distant relatives the rhino today! These stout creatures are in danger and desperately need our help! So make sure you check out how you can help!

We’re going to give you some fun rhino facts, a coloring sheet and some great resources to help our friends!

RHINO FUN FACTS:

• There are 5 species of rhinos, the Black Rhino, the White Rhino (the African species), the Northern India Rhino, the Sumatran Rhino and the Javan Rhino (the Asian species).
• Rhinoceros is Greek for nose and horn!
• All rhinos have poor eyesight.
• White rhinos have a large broad mouth for grazing grass.
• Black rhinos have a narrow prehensile lip to help them grasp leaves.
• Rhino horns are made of keratin, the same protein that makes up your hair and fingernails.
• Rhinos’ ears can move and rotate independently of each other. This adaptation helps the rhino hear.
• Rhinos are herbivores.
• Rhinos are related to horses, tapirs and zebras! Woohoo!
• The Sumatran Rhino is the smallest rhino weighing around 1,700 lbs and the White rhino is the largest weighing around 5,000 lbs.
• A group of rhinos is called a crash!
• All rhinos are endangered. Many organizations, like World Wildlife Fund and Saving Rhinos are working very hard to save and protect these amazing animals. Check them out and see how you can help!

WORLD LION DAY!!

Happy World Lion Day! We love these big cats and we’re not lion :)! Hahaha!

We’re celebrating these gorgeous social cats with a coloring sheet!