Posts Tagged With: conservation

WATERY WEDNESDAY # 58

Posted on January 30, 2013 by Ellie and Edmond ©

WATERY WENESDAY # 58

We’re going snorkeling to find a different kind of ocean dweller today. It’s not a fish, it’s not a mammal and it’s not coral! So are you ready to meet this mysterious animal? Let’s do this!

e & e snorkeling

MEET THE VIOLET SEA SNAIL!

violet sea snail   Range/Habitat: Atlantic-Pacific-Indian Oceans/ tropical-subtropical

waters

   Diet: Carnivore: floating cnidarians

   Length: 3 ¼”

   Conservation Status: common

 

Fun Facts:

  • Violet Sea Snails live on the oceans’ surface.
  • They are blind.
  • Violet sea snails have bright purple shells.
  • Their shells are very thin.
  • Violet sea snails make a “raft” of bubbles and mucus to stay afloat at the surface.
  • They snail is dark violet or black in color.

 

We haven’t met a snail so far in our adventures. Who knew they were so brightly colored and amazing? What other crazy creatures have we missed in our oceans?

violet sea snail2

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

AMPHIBIAN TUESDAY

Posted on January 29, 2013 by Ellie and Edmond ©

AMPHIBIAN TUESDAY #57

We’re switching things up a bit! We don’t have a day devoted to our amphibian friends, so we’ll be turning Reptilian Tuesday into Amphibian Tuesday every once in a while. Today’s adventure takes us to California to find one tiny and cute amphibian! So let’s put on our hiking boots and watch our step!

e e woods (2)

MEET THE ENSANTINA SALAMANDER!

ensantina salamander   Range/Habitat: Western U.S-Canada/ forests

   Diet: Carnivore: worms, ants, insects

   Length: 2 ¼-3 ¼”

   Conservation Status: common

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • Ensantina salamanders live under leaves and logs on the forest floor.
  • They have long legs.
  • Ensantina salamanders’ colors vary by their habitat.
  • They are nocturnal.
  • Ensantina salamanders lift their tails when threatened and emit a foul secretion.
  • Ensantina salamanders lay their eggs under leaves. Baby salamanders are born directly from the eggs.

Salamanders are so stinking cute! They live in all kinds of habitats! We especially think it’s cool that these little guys have a stinking defense mechanism!

ensantina salamander2ensantina salamander3

Categories: adventure, amphibians, Animals, Children, conservation, education, Environment, nature, science, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

MAMMAL MONDAY # 58

Posted on January 28, 2013 by Ellie and Edmond ©

MAMMAL MONDAY #58

It’s that amazing day of the week when we go on an adventure to meet a mammal! We’re packing our bags and heading the Amazonian rainforest to find a small monkey who lives high in trees! Grab your binoculars and let’s head out!

e & e rainforest2

MEET THE SILVERY MARMOSET!

silvery marmoset   Range/Habitat: South America/rainforest

   Diet: Omnivore: fruits, eggs, sap

   Length/Weight: 8-9”/12-13 oz

   Conservation Status: common

 

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • Silvery Marmosets have pale silvery fur.
  • They have black tails.
  • They are arboreal (spend their lives in the trees).
  • Silvery marmosets have pink faces and ears.
  • They live in small family troops.
  • Every member of the silvery marmoset family takes care of the offspring.

These tiny little monkeys are gorgeous with their silvery coats of fur. We just can’t get enough of them!

 

silvery marmoset2  silvery marmoset3

 

 

Categories: adventure, Animals, Children, conservation, education, Environment, mammals, nature, rainforests, science, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY!!

Posted on January 26, 2013 by Ellie and Edmond ©

HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY!!!

We’re celebrating that awesome island nation that is full of amazing animals with some fun pictures!

Australia is home to deadly snakes, wild reptiles, adorable mammals and it has the largest number of marsupials on the planet! It is also home to the Great Barrier Reef, one of the most diverse ecosystems in the ocean! Wow! Australia is definitely one wild place! 

Enjoy!

Australian Crocodile

Australian Crocodile

Blue Tongue Skink

Blue Tongue Skink

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dingo

Dingo

Echinda

Echinda

 

Kangaroo

Kangaroo

 

 

 

 

 

Koala!

Koala!

 

 

 

Numbat

Numbat

Platypus

Platypus

Tasmanian Devil

Tasmanian Devil

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wombat

Wombat

 

 

 

 

 

Kookaburro

Kookaburra

 

 

 

 

 

Great Barrier Reef

Great Barrier Reef

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great Barrier Reef

Great Barrier Reef

 

 

 

Categories: adventure, Animals, Australia, Children, conservation, education, Environment, marsupial, oceans, science, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

FEATHERY FRIDAY #57

Posted on January 25, 2013 by Ellie and Edmond ©

FEATHERY FRIDAY #57

It’s Feathery Friday and we’re going to meet a little bird who calls the wetlands of Europe home. So let’s grab our binoculars and wellies and head off for some bird watching fun!

e & e wetlands

MEET THE SPOTTED CRAKE!

spotted crake   Range/Habitat: Europe-Asia-Africa/wetlands, marshes

   Diet: Omnivore: algae, insects, aquatic animals

   Length/Weight: 9-9 ½”/ 2-5 oz

   Conservation Status: common

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • Spotted Crakes are small secretive bird.
  • Their feathers camouflage with the reeds and plants of the wetlands.
  • Spotted Crakes bob their heads while they walk.
  • Spotted crakes are crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk).
  • They are not very vocal.
  • Spotted crakes use their bills to find food in the mud.

Spotted Crakes are cute little birds. They fit in perfectly in their habitat. If you were a bird what habitat would you decide to live in?

spotted crake2spotted crake3

Categories: adventure, Animals, birds, Children, conservation, education, Environment, nature, science, wetlands, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

SUPER SURPRISE THURSDAY #57

Posted on January 24, 2013 by Ellie and Edmond ©

SUPER SURPRISE THURSDAY # 57

We’re back to our regular new and improved Super Surprise Thursday!

We’ll give you a cropped picture and a few hints and you tell us what animal it is!

clownfish

  • My habitat is the coral reef.
  • I live among the tentacles of an anemone.
  • There was a famous movie starring one of my cousins.

WHAT AM I?

Categories: adventure, Animals, Children, conservation, education, Environment, nature, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

WATERY WEDNESDAY # 57

Posted on January 23, 2013 by Ellie and Edmond ©

WATERY WEDNESDAY # 57

We’re going scuba diving this Watery Wednesday to meet a master of camouflage! We better keep our eyes peeled and look amongst the corals to see if we can find…

e & e snorkeling

MEET THE SARGASSUM FISH!

sargassum fish   Range/Habitat: Tropical-sub-tropical oceans/ worldwide

   Diet: Carnivore: fish

   Length/Weight: up to 7 ½”/ up to 14 oz

   Conservation Status: common

 

Fun Facts:

  • Sargassum fish are members of the frog fish family.
  • Sargassum fish have variable patterns and colors to match their surroundings.
  • They are covered in spiny like protrusions.
  • Sargassum fish use their dorsal fin spine to lure prey.
  • They are ambush predators.
  • Sargassum fish have leg-like pectoral fins.

 

These crazy looking fish are so awesome! We think they look a bit like aliens! What do you think? What color would fit in with your habitat?

sargassum fish2  sargassum fish3

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

REPTILIAN TUESDAY # 57

Posted on January 22, 2013 by Ellie and Edmond ©

REPTILIAN TUESDAY #57

We’re back to our regular schedule after celebrating black and white birds and small fluffy tailed rodents! We’re off to the deserts of South Africa today to meet one cute reptile! Grab your sunscreen and khakis and let’s head out on today’s adventure!

e e desert

MEET THE WEB FOOTED GECKO!

web footed gecko   Range/Habitat: Western Southern Africa/ desert

   Diet: Carnivore: insects

   Length: 4 ¾-5 ½”

   Conservation Status: common

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • Web Footed Geckos are pink with dark markings.
  • They have webbed feet that helps them run across the sand.
  • Web Footed Geckos have large eyes.
  • They dig long tunnels in the sand for shelter.
  • They drink water that condenses on their skin overnight.
  • Web footed geckos have wide range of vocalizations.

We really think these awesome little reptiles are cute! They have some amazing adaptations for living in a harsh desert environment.

web footed gecko2  web footed gecko3

Categories: adventure, africa, Animals, Children, conservation, education, Environment, lizards, nature, reptiles, science, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

SQUIRREL APPRECIATION DAY!

Posted on January 21, 2013 by Ellie and Edmond ©

SQUIRREL APPRECIATION DAY!!

We’re celebrating those adorable and often misunderstood little rodents today! There are more than 200 species of squirrels all over the world! To celebrate these bushy tailed animals we’re going to share some fun facts, pictures and a fun squirrel craft!

We have our squirrel tails!

We have our squirrel tails!

  • There are more than 200 species of squirrel in the world.
  • Squirrels live on every continent except Australia and Antarctica.
  • The African Pygmy Squirrel is the smallest species of squirrel. They are 5 inches long.
  • The Indian Ground Squirrel is the largest at 3 feet long!
  • There are tree squirrels, ground squirrels and flying squirrels.
  • Flying squirrels do not actually fly, but glide using a flap of skin on each side.
  • Some squirrels can run as fast as 20 mph.
  • A squirrel’s teeth grow throughout their lifetime.
  • Squirrels are omnivores. They eat bugs, eggs, nuts, seeds and fruit.
  • Squirrels that bury their food for winter, find it by rubbing their scent on it first. They use their keen noses to find it later.
  • The average squirrel eats about a pound of food a week!

squirrel

Wow! Who knew that squirrels were so fascinating! We had no idea that there were so many species! We’ve only featured two: The Gambian Sun Squirrel and the Prevost’s Squirrel! We had better get to learning about the other 200 species!

In the meantime we’re going to wear our squirrel tails and be honorary squirrels for the day! We’ll also be making these cute squirrel pencil toppers! How will you be celebrating our favorite rodent friends?

squirrel2squirrel3

 

 

 

 

 

squirrel4

squirrel6  squirrel8

Categories: adventure, Animals, Children, conservation, education, Environment, mammals, nature, squirrels, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

PENGUIN WEEK DAY # 5

Posted on January 18, 2013 by Ellie and Edmond ©

PENGUIN WEEK DAY #5

It’s the last day of Penguin Week and we sure have had a blast meeting some of these flightless feathery friends and hope you’ve had fun too. Our last day of adventure takes us back to Antarctica to meet yet another cute penguin species!

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MEET THE ADELIE PENGUIN!

adelie penguins   Range/Habitat: Circumpolar Antarctica/ coasts-ice

   Diet: Carnivore: krill, small fishes

   Length/Weight: 18-24”/ 8 ¾-12 lb

   Conservation Status: common

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • Adelie penguins nest on the mainland of Antarctica.
  • They have blue-black feathers with pure white fronts.
  • Adelie penguins have white rings around the eyes.
  • Adelie penguins breed in colonies of up to 200,000 birds.
  • They build nest with rocks.
  • Adelie penguins have been seen stealing rocks from other penguins to make their nests.

 

Adelie penguins are so proper looking with their white bellies and sharp looking blue-black feathers. All they need now is a bowtie!

adelie penguins2    adelie penguins3

 

 

 

Categories: adventure, Animals, birds, education, Environment, nature, oceans, penguins, science, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

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