Posts Tagged With: environment

Amphibian Friend at Lake Salamander

Posted on June 5, 2018 by Ellie and Edmond ©

Amphibian Friend at Lake Salamander

We are so happy to meet our first friend of the summer! Camp E&E sits next to one beautiful lake- Lake Salamander. This special spot was named because of the special amphibians who live here! We are always so thrilled to find a few chilling in the woods.

Today we are meeting the Southern Zigzag salamander. Woohoo!

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Southern Zigzag Salamander Fun Facts: 

  • These adorable amphibians are carnivores. They eat mostly insects.
  • They only grow to about 3 1/2 inches long! Not a big animal for sure.
  • They call the forest floor their home, so watch where you are stepping while on hikes campers.
  • They have a zigzag stripe down their back. It can vary in color from red to yellow.
  • Females lay eggs in burrows. They guard their eggs until they hatch. Unlike a lot of salamanders, they do not go through an aquatic larva phase. When they are born, they look like miniature adults!
  • They are listed by the IUCN as Least Concern.

Can you imagine how cute teeny tiny zigzag salamanders are? We would hardly be able to stand it! We hear that Crafty Crab is coming up with a cute salamander craft later in the week! YAY!

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

Black & White Bird

Posted on May 9, 2018 by Ellie and Edmond ©

Black & White Bird

As we were exploring the cliffs and coasts to meet puffins, we met another neat sea bird- the razorbill! These neat looking birds look even more formal than penguins!

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Razorbill Fun Facts:

  • They grow up to 8 1/2 inches long and weigh up to 30 oz.
  • These carnivores eat fish and crustaceans.
  • These sea birds spend most of their life at sea. They spend time on cliffs and coastlines to breed in the spring.
  • Male and females mate for life. They come together to incubate the egg.
  • The oldest living razorbill lived to 41 years.
  • They are listed as Least Concern by the IUCN.

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These gorgeous birds are so cool! They have the neatest little white lines on their beaks. They are quiet fun to watch dive for food.

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

Oh Those Ear Tufts!

Posted on April 17, 2018 by Ellie and Edmond ©

Oh Those Ear Tufts!

We headed out in a Jeep to find a predator on the plains today! We were looking for a feline, but not a lion, cheetah or leopard. So who were we looking for you ask? This cat is small, but mighty and they have some of the greatest ears around.

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Caracal Fun Facts: 

  • These medium sized cats can grow up to 42 inches long and weigh up to 44 lbs. The males are larger than the females.
  • They are the largest member of the small cats in Africa.
  • They are famous for their large ear tufts or tassels. It is thought that they use these to communicate with other caracals.
  • These agile carnivores eat small mammals and birds.
  • They are able to leap 10 feet into the air to catch birds in flight.
  • Caracals are mostly solitary and highly territorial.
  • They mark their territories with scents and physical marks like claw marks on trees.
  • They are listed as Least Concern by the IUCN.

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We were so excited to spot this sleak predator. They remind us of the house cat that lives at HQs, except he is a bit plumper and lazier.

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

Flying Rodent!

Posted on March 26, 2018 by Ellie and Edmond ©

Flying Rodent!

We headed out to meet to a flying rodent today.  We stayed up during the evening to spot this creature.

Red Giant Flying Squirrel

 

Red Giant Flying Squirrel Fun Facts: 

  • These nocturnal rodents are can grow up to 17 inches long.
  • They have flaps of skin that help them glide (not fly) in the trees.
  • Red giant flying squirrels have large eyes to help them see at night.
  • These herbivores eats leaves, cones, fruits and nuts.
  • They migrate areas to find food.
  • Females have liters twice a year.
  • They are listed as Least Concern by IUCN.

It is so cool to see these squirrels gliding in the trees! And who knew squirrels could get so big!

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

Swimming with Greens

Posted on February 7, 2018 by Ellie and Edmond ©

Snorkeling with Greens

We decided to go snorkeling for our first time in Hawaii. The water is so gorgeous and inviting. We were excited to see what animals we would find! And wow- we met some green sea turtles grazing in the shallows!

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Green Sea Turtle Fun Facts: 

  • Green Sea Turtles have a smooth carapace.
  • They can grow up to 5 ft long and weigh up to 600 lbs.
  • The carapace (top shell) is a brown-olive color.
  • Green sea turtles have small heads, but strong flippers.
  • They are the only sea turtle that can be seen occasionally sunbathing on the beach.
  • Green sea turtles lay eggs on the beach.
  • They are herbivores. They eat sea grass, roots and algae. Young turtles are known to eat crabs and jellies.
  • They are listed as Endangered by IUCN.

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We enjoyed seeing these majestic reptiles in the oceans. Green sea turtles get their name from their greenish skin color. It was so excited to snorkel with these sea turtles. They are known to come ashore and sun themselves on certain beaches around Hawaii- if you visit- wave quietly and from a distance!

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

Noddy bird not a Noodle bird

Posted on February 5, 2018 by Ellie and Edmond ©

Noddy bird not a Noodle bird

We are meeting our first animal here in Hawaii. We headed to the beach to meet this shore bird. Come join us on the sand!

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Brown Noddy Fun Facts: 

  • These 18 inch birds are related to gulls and terns.
  • They are the largest member of the noddies.
  • They are carnivores. They nab fish from the ocean as they fly above it.
  • Brown noddies nest together in large colonies.
  • Males and females have a courtship ritual that includes bowing to each other and flying together.
  •  Both parents incubate the eggs and help raise the chicks.
  • They are listed as Least Concern by the IUCN.

 

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It was fun to watch these birds around the beach. We had never heard of the noddy bird, but it makes sense that they are related to seagulls!

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

What did you say birdie?

Posted on January 23, 2018 by Ellie and Edmond ©

What did you say birdie?

We were exploiting the area and all of the sudden heard a loud funny call! We dissolved it was a bird called the great kiskadee! And yes, they get their name from the funny call they make!

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Great Kiskadee Fun Facts: 

  • These little birds grow up to 10 inches long  and weigh about 2 oz.
  • They are members of the flycatcher family.
  • These common birds sit and wait for their insect prey to come by, when they fly out to catch it! They are also known to eat some small vertebrates and fruit.
  • They are territorial and will even attack raptors.
  • Male and females build the nest. Females incubate the eggs.
  • They are listed as Least Concern by the IUCN.

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These gregarious little birds are spotted all around here! We have never met a member of the flycatcher family. Who else pictures a bird with a fly swatter in the wing? Hehehehe!

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

That is a Falcon!

Posted on January 18, 2018 by Ellie and Edmond ©

That is a Falcon!

We met one gorgeous bird today! This big member of the falcon family is known to hang with vultures and look more like a hawk!

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Southern Crested Caracara Fun Facts: 

  • Crested caracaras can grow up to 22 inches and weigh up to 3 lbs.
  • Their wing span is almost 50 inches.
  • These carnivores eat incsects, small reptiles and fish. They are also known to push vultures away from carion.
  • They have long thin legs.
  • They are mostly solitary.
  • It is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN.

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These gorgeous birds have a northern cousin that lives in Mexico and in Arizona and Texas. We love these raptors!

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

Hello Armadillos

Posted on January 10, 2018 by Ellie and Edmond ©

Hello Armadillos

Aaaah the armadillo, an animal many in the southern United States associate with road kill. But there are 20 species of armadillos in the world, each one neat in their own respects. We went looking for the biggest armadillo of the them all- the giant armadillo! This species is not to be confused with the extinct Glyptodon – a car sized relative of the armadillo that lived during the Pleistocene epoch! Our giant armadillo friend is not that big- but they are cool!

 

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Giant Armadillo Fun Facts: 

  • The giant armadillo has 11-13 bands.
  • They can grow up to 39 inches long and weigh up to 72 lbs. There have been a few found that weigh 180 lbs.
  • They have the most teeth of any mammal- 80 to 100 per armadillo!
  • These solitary nocturnal animals live in burrows.
  • Giant armadillos are insectivores. They eat termites, ants, worms and spiders. They can consume the entire population of one termite mound.
  • They have the proportional claw of any mammal. This is their 3rd curved claw.
  • Giant armadillos can not roll up completely in to a ball.
  • Due to hunting, giant armadillos are listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN.

 

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These giant armadillos are so amazing! Little is known about them in the wild. No scientists have ever seen a juvinelle giant armadillo in the wild!

Categories: adventure, Animals, Children, conservation, education, endangered species, Environment, mammals, nature, science, Today's Post, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Marshy Deer

Posted on January 8, 2018 by Ellie and Edmond ©

Marshy Deer

We are meeting one of the iconic animals of the Pantanal today-the Marsh Deer! Woohoo- we won’t delay meeting today’s animal!

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Marsh Deer Fun Facts: 

  • The deer is the largest deer species in South America.
  • They can grow up to 6 feet long and weigh up to 275 lbs.
  • Marsh deer are known to be very shy.
  • Only the males have antlers that grow up to 1 foot.
  • These marsh dwellers have wide set hooves that are covered with a stretchy membrane that gives the hoof more stability in the water filled habitat.
  • These herbivores prevere to live near areas of water.
  • They are listed as vulnerable by the IUCN.

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These cute deer with their giant ears are so fun. They keep to themselves and spend most of their time munching on grasses.

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

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