Posts Tagged With: animals

Hello Little Songbird!

Posted on November 21, 2017 by Ellie and Edmond ©

Hello Little Songbird!

After spotting the largest predator in the area we went looking for a little song bird. This gorgeous little was so fun!

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Blue-gray tanager: 

  • Blue-gray tanagers belong in the tanager family. It is the 2nd largest family of birds on the planet. They represent about 4% of all birds.
  • All tanagers live in the new world.
  • They grow about 7 inches long.
  • They are primarily herbivores. They eat fruit and a few insects.
  • They often thrive where there are humans.
  • Blue-gray tanagers color vary by the area they live in.
  • They are listed as least concern by the IUCN.

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We loved watching these little birdies in the trees! They are sooooo cute!

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

We Spy Rosettes!

Posted on November 20, 2017 by Ellie and Edmond ©

We Spy Rosettes!

We headed to local treehouse to spot the next animal as it is the largest predator in the area. We thought it best to stay out of it’s way, but wow is it a gorgeous cat! Are you ready to learn who we saw?

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Jaguar Fun Facts: 

  • Jaguars are covered in spots called rosettes. These help them blend in with the rainforest.
  • Jaguar rosettes are different than leopard spots. Jaguars have a spot in the middle!
  • They are the largest cat in the Americas, growing up to 7ft long and up to 200 lbs. Wow!
  • They are solitary and territorial.
  • These large cats are more active than other large cats, like lions. They have recently found to be most active as dusk and dawn (crespuscular).
  • They are listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN.

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We loved watching this stealthy predator prowl the forest floor. They do spend most of their time on the ground, but the are able climbers.

 

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

Hello Large Lizard!

Posted on November 16, 2017 by Ellie and Edmond ©

Hello Large Lizard!

We are heading to the beach for the weekend and while we were there we met a really neat reptile! Come join us!

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Black spiny-tailed iguana fun facts:

  • They are the largest member of the spiny tailed iguan family.
  • They are also considered one of the fastest lizards on earth. They can run up to 21 mph!
  • They have black scales on their long tails.
  • Males are larger than females and can grow up to 4 ft long.
  • These diurnal reptiles love rocky habitats. They hide in the crevices and bask in the sun on them.
  • Young iguanas are insectivores. As they grow older they are most herbivorous.
  • They are listed as least concern by the IUCN.

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We sure are glad those lizards find the rocks to be comfortable, because they are not so easy to sit on. We prefer the sand. As fast as they are, maybe they should be renamed the flash iguana! Hehehe!

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

Those are some peepers!

Posted on November 14, 2017 by Ellie and Edmond ©

Those are some peepers!

After meeting the macaws yesterday, we ran into a small resident of the rainforest. These little amphibians are brightly colored with big red eyes. They also make you jump! Hehehe!

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Red Eyed Tree Frog Fun Facts: 

  • The nocturnal species hide on the under side of leaves during the day.
  • If they are found- they flash those big red eyes and startle any predators!
  • They frog’s other bright colors- including orange feet and blue streaks protect them by confusing a predator’s eye with too much color.
  • These carnivores eat insects they find in the trees.
  • These arboreal amphibians are amazing jumpers! (Say that fast five times 🙂
  • They are not poisonous.
  • Red eyed tree frogs are listed as least concern.

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We love these little frogs. They are so beautiful with their bright green eyes. That splash of blue on their legs make them the fashionistas of the rainforest. Hahaha!

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

Yep, That’s a Cat!

Posted on November 9, 2017 by Ellie and Edmond ©

Yep, That’s a Cat!

We are meeting our last animal this week here in Costa Rica and it’s a small wildcat. This place has so many interesting species. These small cats blend in quiet well, so we were super lucky to find one!

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Margay Fun Facts:

  • Margays are built for life in the trees.
  • They have broad flexible toes and long tails that help them climb and keep their balance.
  • They can turn their hind feet 180 degrees allowing them to climb down a tree head first.
  • These solitary cats are carnivores. They eat birds, small mammals and reptiles.
  • Margays are listed as near threatened by the IUCN.
  • They are nocturnal.
  • The fur on the back of their necks grows the opposite direction of the rest of their coats.

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These gorgeous cats are often confused with the ocelot. They have longer tails and a bit smaller. They have those large round eyes to see in the dark too! We think they are just the cutest!

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

Teeny Tiny Bird

Posted on November 8, 2017 by Ellie and Edmond ©

Teeny Tiny Bird

After our all nighter looking for frogs, we stayed up a bit longer to find a little bird before napping away the day. This little fast birdie was not easy to spot as it is one of the smallest hummingbirds around.

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Scintillant Hummingbird Fun Facts: 

  • These little birds grow up to around 3 inches long. It is just a little larger than the smallest bird in the world- the bee hummingbird.
  • They have little straight black beaks.
  • Scintillant hummingbirds eat nectar.
  • Males are very territorial.
  • Females build the nests, incubate the eggs and raise the babies.

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These teeny birds are so adorable. They are Ellie and Edmond sized :)!

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

The Real Kermit

Posted on November 7, 2017 by Ellie and Edmond ©

The Real Kermit

We went frogging during the evening. Costa Rica is one of the best places for spotting amphibians. We went looking for a very new species and we were not dissappointed.

 

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Diane’s Bare-Hearted Glass Frog: 

  • Glass frogs have transparent skin on their bellies. You can see all of their organs!
  • These frogs are found in the mountains of Costa Rica. They are the first new glass frog species to be discovered in 40 years.
  • It has long thin fingers and toes.
  • They are nocturnal.
  • Males have an almost insect like call they use to attract females.
  • These cuties have white ping pong like eyeballs with black irises that make them look just like Kermit the frog.

 

We often think it is crazy that scientists are still discovering new species. It is so important to protect the wild places on earth so that all animals- known and not known have a healthy habitat to call home.

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

Costa Rica!

Posted on November 2, 2017 by Ellie and Edmond ©

Costa Rica!

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Hello and greetings from Central America! We are settling in to our tree house that we are using for base camp. We’re going to learn more about this gorgeous little country today before we begin some of the awesome animals next week! Woohoo!

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Costa Rica Fun Facts:

  • Costa Rica is located in Central America. The capital is San Jose.
  • Costa Rica’s marine areas are larger than its land area.
  • There are 7 active volcanoes in the country. Poas volcano has the 2nd largest crater in the world.

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  • There are 52 species of hummingbirds in Costa Rica.
  • 10% of the world’s butterflies call Costa Rica home. That is about 1,000 species.
  • Costa Rica has a rainy season & a dry season. We are end of the rainy season.
  • Costa Rica contains about 5% of the world’s biodiversity.
  • It borders the Pacific ocean and the Caribbean ocean.

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This is one super neat place full of amazing species! We can hardly wait to meet some of them! See you Monday!

 

 

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

Where will the next E&E adventure be?

Posted on November 1, 2017 by Ellie and Edmond ©

Where will the next E&E adventure be?

We are heading off for our next adventure and it’s time to guess where it will be? Tell us here or on our social media and the first correct guess will win an E&E prize.

We are heading to a tropical place!

It has rainforests, volcanoes and beaches at the base!

The coasts meet the Carribbean and the Pacific.

They say it is quiet terrific.

Hummingbirds are all around.

Insects, spiders and butterflies abound.

A quarter of the country is protected.

All those things are connected.

Can you guess where we are? Come on and try! Let’s get this next adventure started!

Categories: adventure, Animals, Children, conservation, education, Environment, nature, oceans, science, Today's Post, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Halloween Week- Vampires

Posted on October 26, 2017 by Ellie and Edmond ©

Halloween Week- Vampires

We are continuing the Halloween fun with some vampires of the ocean! That’s right- vampire squid!

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Vampire Squid Fun Facts: 

  • Vampire squid are black to red color.
  • They have skin that connects its eight arms.
  • Each arm has spines on it.
  • They eat marine animal debris that falls to the ocean floor.
  • Adults have two small fins on their mantle (head).
  • They are covered in light producing organs called photophores.
  • They are unable to change their skin color and texture like other squid.

Vampire squid are so amazing and weird! They call the dark deep ocean their home and it sure is a weird place!

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

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