Posts Tagged With: adventure

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.

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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.

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  • 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.

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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

A Large Island Off The Coast Of Africa

Posted on March 6, 2017 by Ellie and Edmond ©

A Large Island Off The Coast Of Africa

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We’re back from our vacation and we’re packed up and heading to the large island nation off the east coast of Africa- Madagascar. We are so excited to explore this neat island!

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We have some fun facts about Madagascar for you!

  • Madagascar is the only home to lemurs. In fact 70% of the wildlife species in Madagascar are only found there.
  • It is the fourth largest island on earth.
  • Two-thirds of all the chameleon species on earth call Madagascar home.
  • The island is one of the biggest producers of vanilla.
  • It has everything from mountains to coasts.
  • Madagascar split from the Indian sub-continent around 88 million years ago.
  • There are two official languages in Madagascar- French & Malagasy.

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We can hardly wait to explore the habitats of this large island. We plan to meet the island’s most famous residents- the lemur; along with reptiles and other interesting characters like the fossa! We’ll see you tomorrow with our newest animal friend!

Categories: Animals, Children, conservation, education, endangered species, nature, science, Today's Post, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | Leave a 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!

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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.

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  • 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.

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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!

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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.

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  • 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.

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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.

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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.

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

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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

We Found a New Secretary

Posted on February 15, 2017 by Ellie and Edmond ©

We Found a New Secretary

Today we hung out with one of most favorite birds, the Secretary Bird. We wanted him to come be our new secretary at HQs, alas he decided to stay in the Serengeti- probably a good plan!

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Date: 2/14

Location: Serengeti

Secretary Fun Facts:

  • Secretary birds are diurnal (they’re active during the day) and nests in Acacia trees at night.
  • They have long powerful legs that they use for striking prey.
  • It’s thought that they were named after English secretaries because the crests on their heads look like quills that secretaries used to write with, but it’s now thought that is it comes from an Arabic word meaning “hunter bird”.

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  • Secretary birds walk more than they fly. They can walk up to 15 miles a day in search of food.
  • It is admired in Africa for its hunting skills, especially its ability to kill venomous snakes.
  • It’s even part of the Coat of Arms for South Africa.

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We love these graceful menacing looking birds. You better watch out if you’re a snake in this bird’s path!

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

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!

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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.

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  • 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.

 

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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

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!

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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.

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  • 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.

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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

We’re Monitoring a Monitor

Posted on February 6, 2017 by Ellie and Edmond ©

We’re Monitoring a Monitor

We’re spent our day looking for a large lizard that calls the Serengeti home. The monitor family includes the famous Komodo dragon! The lizard we were searching for does not get to be as big as a komodo, but they are just as cool!

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Date: 2/6

Location: Serengeti

Nile Monitor Fun Facts:

  • Nile monitor lizards are known by many names including the African small grain lizard.
  • Nile monitor lizards have long sharp claws for climbing, digging and ripping apart prey.
  • They have a range of colors from olive to to brown.
  • Nile monitors are the largest lizard in Africa.
  • They have a stout strong tail to help ward off predators.

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  • Those forked tongues give the Nile monitor a keen sense of smell.
  • They are known to hunt cooperatively. One monitor will lead a crocodile away from the  nest, while another eats the eggs.
  • Nile monitors are excellent swimmers and will take to water to escape a predator.

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We watched a monitor for quiet a while. These amazing lizards are intimidating to see in the wild. They are often kept as pets. As with all exotic pets, it is important to do your homework before getting a pet that will grow large and possibly unruly. There are now populations of Nile monitors in California and Florida. These lizards can be harmful to the local wildlife.

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

Spots! Spots Everywhere!

Posted on February 2, 2017 by Ellie and Edmond ©

Spots! Spots Everywhere!

After spending our first night and day adjusting, we stayed up in to the wee hours of the night to go exploring for some spotted hyenas! These social mammals are mostly nocturnal, so it was best to try and spot them at night. One of our guides is even teaching us and Professor Rita, Swahili! She’ll be sharing some of the vocabulary with you each day!

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Date: 2/2

Location: Serengeti plain

Spotted Hyena Fun Facts

  • Spotted hyenas are the largest species of hyena.
  • They live in large clans that are led by the dominant females. The females are larger then the males.
  • Their have very complex social structures that look more like that of primates then of any other carnivore.
  • Hyenas are intelligent and resourceful predators and scavengers.

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  • They can digest every part of prey- including skin and bone!
  • Hyena have stout forelimbs and shoulders. They can run for long distances without getting tired.
  • Their large strong heads can produce a bite more than 40% stronger than that of a leopard.
  • Hyenas are very vocal and use a rang of sounds, including the famous “laughing” sound. That “laugh” is a signal of agitation or aggression.

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These marvelous animals can out hunt lions and chase them away from a kill. They are one of the most successful predators in the Serengeti. They have earned a bad reputation over years- one that is not deserved. These intelligent amazing animals have much to teach us. Remember, even the predators of the plains deserve our love and respect (from a distance of course :)!

 

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

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