Posts Tagged With: animal

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

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

One Swell Shark

Posted on January 18, 2017 by Ellie and Edmond ©

One Swell Shark

We went diving again today in the kelp forest. Our goal was to meet some of the fish who call this special place home! First up is one cool shark! Don’t worry- they are pretty shy and small :)!

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Date: 1/18

Location: Kelp forest

Swell Shark Fun Facts:

  • Swell sharks get their name from their unique defense mechanism. They grab their tail in their mouth and pump air or water in their stomach and swell to double their normal size.
  • They let out a barking noise when releasing the excess air.
  • Swell sharks are not strong swimmers.
  • They spend their days hiding in caves or crevices.
  • Swell sharks are mostly nocturnal and venture out to find prey.

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  • They lay eggs, called mermaids purses. The eggs are attached to hard structure to stay in play.
  • Swell sharks are biofluorescent. They absorb light electromagnetic light waves and re-emit as a different color. This neat adaptation was only discovered a few years ago.

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We dove at two separate times -once during the day and once at night. We knew the little swell shark would be out at night. We were so excited to spot on swimming in the water. They are very shy and often when they see divers, freeze. It’s a shark that plays opossum- hehehe!

Categories: adventure, Animals, Children, conservation, education, Environment, nature, oceans, sharks, Today's Post, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Bird of the Sea!

Posted on January 12, 2017 by Ellie and Edmond ©

Bird of the Sea!

We spent the day on the cliffs bird watching. So many sea birds to love and learn about. We were especially thrilled to spot some black and white birds, reminiscent of penguins in appearance, but better fliers!

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Date: 1/12

Location: kelp forest coastline

Common Murre Fun Facts:

  • Common murres are not very agile flyers, but are amazing at diving.
  • Common murres use their wings to propel them deep in the water to catch fish.
  • They have been recorded diving at depths of 590 ft.
  • They are related to gulls and terns.

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  • Common murre eggs are pointed on one end. They are also different colors.
  • It is thought the eggs are different colors to help the breeding pairs tell them apart.
  • After mating season, both females and males molt. During the molting season they can not fly.

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We had a great time watching these birds dive and hang out on the rocks. It was a great way to end the week!

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

Scorpions! Fish! Scorpionfish!

Posted on January 11, 2017 by Ellie and Edmond ©

Scorpions! Fish! Scorpionfish!

As we were diving – we met another inhabitant of the kelp forest, the California Scorpionfish. These menacing looking fish are not easy to spot because of their amazing camouflage ability.

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Date: 1/11

Location: kelp forest

California Scorpionfish

  • Scorpionfish do not stay in the one territory and often travel around.
  • They are a deep red or brown.
  • They are also called the spotted scorpionfish.
  • California scorpionfish have no swim bladder.

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  • Their venom effects heart rates and blood pressure.

 

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We had a great time spotting these neat and dangerous fish! They may not be the cutest, but they sure are cool!

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

We’re Seaing Lions

Posted on January 9, 2017 by Ellie and Edmond ©

We’re Seaing Lions

 

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We’re starting off the week on the coast meeting some large, stinky and loud mammals.  Sea lions are so gregarious and fun to watch.

Date: 1/9

Location: California coast

California Sea Lion Fun Facts:

  • The large and in charge California sea lion is the fastest member of the pinniped family. They can reach speeds up to 25 mph.
  • A group of California sea lions is called a colony.
  • They have a thick layer of blubber to keep them warm in the cold waters off the coast of California.
  • They are agile swimmers. Their rear flippers rotate to help navigate when the haul out on land.

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  • Sea lions can slow their heart rates to help them stay under water for up to 10 mins.
  • Males are larger than females.
  • California sea lions are extremely social. They live in groups with a dominate male and females and their offspring.
  • They are very vocal. Their characteristic bark  is loud.
  • California sea lions are highly intelligent.

 

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We had so much watching the sea lions interact with each other. They made us laugh. But goodness are they loud and they stink of fish :)!

 

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

We Urchin You To Meet Us

Posted on January 4, 2017 by Ellie and Edmond ©

We Urchin You To Meet Us

Hehe! Ok, we do love a good pun. Today we strapped on our dive gear (Ellie has a hard time getting her trunk covered) and we headed to ocean floor to see where the purple sea urchins call home. These kelp forest inhabitants are essential to the kelp forest ecosystem. Let’s learn more about them!

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  • Purple sea urchins have spines that cover their bodies. These spines can move on ball and socket joints (like your shoulder).
  • The urchins use their spines to catch food and to protect themselves.
  • Sea urchins, like their relative the sea star has tiny tube feet that move them along the ocean floor.

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  • Purple sea urchins have toothlike plates around their mouths called the “Aristotle’s lantern. These strong plates help them dig holes in stones. They dig these as their burrow hideaway.
  • Purple sea urchins live in hordes. A group can decimate an entire kelp forest, by eating the plants from the bottoms up.
  • Purple sea urchins are a favorite food of the sea otter and the sunflower sea star- which swallow the urchin whole! WOW!!
  • Young sea urchins have green spines!
  • Like other echinoderms (the family sea stars belong in), they have five fold symmetry.

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We had such fun diving and watching these animals. Sea urchins don’t have eyes, they have light sensitive cells on the tips and the base of their spines. Soooooo cool!

 

 

 

 

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

Going to Kelp Forest

Posted on January 3, 2017 by Ellie and Edmond ©

Going to the Kelp Forest

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We’re spending the month of January in Monterey, California where we will be exploring the kelp forests just off the coasts. This magnificent habitat is made up of giant algae called kelp. The kelp forests are a diverse habitat that hundreds of species call home. Kelp forests are often compared to rainforests, with a canopy and layers going deeper in the ocean.

Kelp forests fun facts:

  • Giant kelp grows about 10-12 inches a day!
  • Kelp has gas filled bladders along fronds. These help it grow vertical to the surface.
  • Giant kelp can grow up to 175 long.
  • Kelp is flexible and sways in the ocean currents.
  • Kelp does not have roots in the sand,  but it attaches to rocks.
  • Sea urchins can destroy a kelp forest when their populations are out of control.
  • Sea otter wrap kelp around themselves so they do not drift away while sleeping.
  • Many fish and invertebrates call the kelp forest home, including sea stars, garibaldi fish, sharks, anemones and sponges.

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We are so excited to meet the animals of this amazing habitat! Are you ready to join us?

Categories: Animals, Children, conservation, education, Environment, habitats, nature, oceans, science, Today's Post, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

WATERY WEDNESDAY # 71

Posted on May 29, 2013 by Ellie and Edmond ©

WATERY WEDNESDAY # 71

 We’re taking the E & E sub down to the ocean’s floor to find a member of the shark family! These beauties rest on the bottom during the day and look for food at night! We have plenty of room in the sub for everyone! Let’s do this…

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MEET THE NURSE SHARK!

nurse shark   Range/Habitat: East Pacific-Atlantic/ reefs, coastlines

   Diet: Carnivore: invertebrates, crustaceans

   Length/Weight:  9-14 ft/ over 300 lbs

   Conservation Status: common

 

Fun Facts:

  •          Nurse sharks have barbells on the bottom of their mouth to find food.
  •          They suck prey of the ocean floor.
  •          Nurse sharks are nocturnal.
  •          Nurse sharks rest on the bottom in caves and crevices during the day. They often rest in groups.
  •          They pump water through their mouth and over their gills when they rest.

Nurse sharks are really cool. Not all sharks have the ability to rest like these guys do; most have to swim to keep the water passing over their gills. Too bad we can’t have a nurse shark in our bathtub here at headquarters.

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

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