BEAR WEEK- GUESS THE BEAR!
Look at the picture, read the clues and then tell us what bear your think it is in the comments!
- I live in China.
- I only eat bamboo.
- I am the size of a stick of butter when I am born.
Who Am I?
nature
BEAR WEEK- GUESS THE BEAR!
Categories: adventure, Animals, bears, Children, conservation, education, Environment, mammals, nature, science, wildlife
Tags: adventure, animals, bears, children, conservation, education, environment, mammals, nature, oceans, science, wildlife
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BEAR WEEK DAY #1
BEAR WEEK!
It is March’s theme week and we’re spotlighting one of our favorite animals- Bears! We’ll be meeting several of the 8 species of bears, making a bear craft and we’ll have guess the bear! Whew! Are you ready to start this unbearleavablely exciting week? Well then, let’s head out to the Appalachian Mountains of North America to meet..
MEET THE BLACK BEAR!
Range/Habitat: North America-Mexico/ forests, mountains
Diet: Omnivore: berries, grubs, nuts, insects
Length/Weight: 4 ¼-6 ¼ ft/ 120-600 lbs
Conservation Status: common
Fun Facts:
- Black bears are excellent climbers.
- They have long claws to help them dig for food and for climbing.
- They have prehensile lips. Those lips help them grab small food items.
- Black bears sleep through the winter in the northern ranges. They do not hibernate.
- Black bear mothers are extremely protective of their cubs.
- The cubs stay with their mothers for about two years.
Black bears are agile and cute. They are also smart and are known to get in human food and trash. It’s important for people to keep their trash in containers that are bear proof!
Categories: adventure, Animals, bears, Children, conservation, education, Environment, mammals, nature, science, wildlife
Tags: adventure, animals, bears, children, conservation, education, environment, mammals, nature, science, wildlife
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FEATHERY FRIDAY # 63
FEATHERY FRIDAY #63
It’s Feathery Friday and we’re off to Eastern Asia to meet a colorful duck! Let’s grab a picnic lunch and head off to watch ducks all afternoon!
MEET THE MANDARIN DUCK!
Range/Habitat: Northwestern Europe-Eastern Asia/ woods, wetlands,
lakes
Diet: Omnivore: seeds, nuts, insects
Length/Weight: 16-19”/ 22 oz
Conservation Status: common
Fun Facts:
- Mandarin Ducks perch and nest in trees instead of the ground like most ducks.
- Breeding male Mandarin ducks have some of the most brightly colored plumage of all ducks.
- Female Mandarin ducks are brown.
- They have long broad tails to help them fly.
- Mandarin ducks have sharp claws to help them rest in trees.
- Mandarin duck ducklings must jump from the nest when they are very young.
Mandarin ducks are so gorgeous with their bright colors and feathers. We could watch them all day. Do you like sitting by a pond and watching ducks?
Categories: adventure, Animals, birds, Children, conservation, education, Environment, nature, science, wetlands, wildlife
Tags: adventure, animals, birds, children, conservation, education, environment, nature, science, wildlife
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Learn About Butterflies Day
Learn About Butterflies Day!
Today is Learn About Butterflies Day and butterflies are Edmond’s favorite! He loves watching for them all spring and summer! Do you have a favorite butterfly species? Edmond loves monarchs because they travel so far! We’re going to celebrate Learn About Butterflies Day with fun facts, photos and a coloring sheet drawn by Ellie! Woohoo!
FUN FACTS ABOUT BUTTERFLIES:
- Butterflies are insects.
- They live on all continents but Antarctica.
- There are around 24,ooo species of butterflies.
- Butterflies eat nectar.
- They can not fly if their body temperature is below 85 degrees.
- Butterflies can see red, green and yellow.
- Monarch butterflies have one of the longest migrations of any animal on the planet.
- Skipper butterflies can fly up to 37 miles per hour.
- Butterflies taste with their feet.
- The largest butterfly is the Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing.
- The smallest butterfly is the Blue Pygmy.
- Butterflies have a unique life cycle! We found this great video explaining it!
Categories: adventure, Animals, butterflies, Children, conservation, education, Environment, nature, science, wildlife
Tags: adventure, animals, butterflies, children, conservation, education, environment, nature, science, wildlife
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AMPHIBIAN TUESDAY # 63
AMPHIBIAN TUESDAY # 63
It’s that great day when we head out to meet an amphibian! Grab your gear and get ready because we’re going to meet a little frog in South Africa.
MEET THE BANDED RUBBER FROG!
Range/Habitat: Southeast Africa/ grasslands
Diet: Insectivore: termites, ants
Length: 1 ½- 2 ¼”
Conservation Status: common
Fun Facts:
- Banded Rubber Frogs have short legs.
- They are black with pink or red stripes.
- Banded rubber frogs inflate their bodies when threatened.
- Banded rubber frogs walk instead of hopping or jumping.
- They produce toxins that can be harmful to humans if threatened.
Banded rubber frogs are cute little frogs. Their bright colors help warn predators that they are toxic. Thanks we need that warning!
Categories: adventure, amphibians, Animals, Children, conservation, education, Environment, frogs, nature, science, wildlife
Tags: adventure, animals, children, conservation, education, environment, frogs, nature, science
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MAMMAL MONDAY # 63
MAMMAL MONDAY # 63
We’ve backed our bags and are going to Europe to find a member of the flying mammal club! And since there’s only one member of this club, it’s obvious we are going to meet a bat! Grab those night vision goggles and let’s head off on today’s adventure.
MEET THE LESSER HORSESHOE BAT!
Range/Habitat: Europe-North Africa-W. Asia/ scrub-woods
Diet: Insectivore: insects
Length/Weight: 1 ½”/ 3/8 oz
Conservation Status: common
Fun Facts:
- Lesser Horseshoe bats are one of the smallest bats in the world.
- They have a horseshoe shaped nose.
- Lesser horseshoe bats live in colonies.
- Lesser horseshoe bats are smaller than a human thumb.
- They hibernate underground in the winter.
- Lesser horseshoe bats usually fly close to the ground.
These tiny little flying mammals are ugly and cute and the same time. Bats come in all shapes and sizes and they are all beneficial! Bats rock!
FEATHERY FRIDAY # 62
FEATHERY FRIDAY #62
We’re off to the coasts of Africa to meet a little bird with loooooong legs! These little feathery friends live all around the world, so there’s a chance they may live near you too! Are you ready to meet today’s bird pal?
MEET THE BLACK-WINGED STILT!
Range/Habitat: Europe-Asia-Africa/ wetlands, estuaries, coasts
Diet: Carnivore: insects, mollusks, crustaceans
Length/Weight: 14-16”/ 5-7 oz
Conservation Status: common
Fun Facts:
- Black Winged Stilts have very long legs. They are the longest legs of any bird in relation to their body size.
- Black winged stilts have long thin bills.
- Their long legs and bills help them wade for prey in very deep waters.
- Black winged stilts are often found in large flocks.
- Male and female black winged stilts build the nest and incubate the eggs.
Well we know where these little birds get their names from; it sure looks like they walk on stilts! Edmond wants to try out walking on stilts. I smell disaster :)!
SUPER SURPRISE THURSDAY # 62
SUPER SURPRISE THURSDAY # 62
Time to look at the picture, read the clues and take a guess in the comments!
- I am the official bird of seven states.
- Males are brightly colored and females are more brownish.
- We are known to sing a variety of songs
WHO AM I?
Categories: adventure, Animals, birds, Children, conservation, education, Environment, nature, science, wildlife
Tags: adventure, animals, birds, children, conservation, education, environment, nature, science, wildlife
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WATERY WEDNESDAY # 62
WATERY WENESDAY # 62
We’re taking the E & E sub out today to meet a member of the shark family! We have plenty of room for everyone, so come join us on today’s adventure to meet…
MEET THE SMOOTH HOUND SHARK!
Range/Habitat: Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean
Diet: Carnivore: mollusks, crabs, lobsters
Length/Weight: up to 5 1/4 ft/ 29 lbs
Conservation Status: common
Fun Facts:
- Smooth Hound Sharks have short snouts.
- Smooth hound sharks have smooth skin.
- They are often seen in schools.
- Smooth hound sharks are nocturnal.
- They have flat teeth for crushing their prey.
These small sharks are really cool and their mouths are on the bottom! Did you know that when a shark or ray’s mouth is on the underside it indicates that their prey lives on the bottom of the ocean floor? Pretty cool!
Categories: adventure, Animals, Children, conservation, entertainment, Environment, nature, science, sharks, wildlife
Tags: adventure, animals, children, conservation, education, environment, nature, oceans, science, sharks, wildlife
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REPTILIAN TUESDAY # 62
REPTILIAN TUESDAY # 62
We’re going to the warm climates of the Southwestern United States to meet a small lizard named after a big reptile! Grab your backpacks and let’s head out on today’s adventure!
MEET THE ARIZONA ALLIGATOR LIZARD!
Range/Habitat: Southwestern U.S.- Northwest Mexico/ forests-
mountains-grasslands
Diet: Carnivore: insects, spiders
Length: 7 ½-12”
Conservation Status: common
Fun Facts:
- Arizona alligator lizards have stripes of dark brown and light brown.
- Arizona alligator lizards are diurnal.
- They have folds of skins down each side of their bodies.
- They are shy and secretive.
- Arizona alligator lizards hibernate during the winter.
These little lizards don’t look like the large reptiles they are named after. That’s a good thing, we can’t imagine a bunch of mini alligator relatives running around out there!
Categories: adventure, Animals, Children, conservation, education, Environment, nature, reptiles, science, wildlife
Tags: adventure, animals, children, conservation, education, environment, nature, reptiles, science, wildlife
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Today’s Post
The Adventures of Ellie and Edmond 