Day #15 (1/29/14) – Guess the Animal
We headed back to HQs just before the snow storm hit! We had a lovely snow day, but then we were stuck at HQs! So we missed a day of Year of the Horse Week- we’ll be making it up Saturday! Today it’s time to guess the animal! Do you know who it is?
Who is it?
–Ellie and Edmond
Day #14 (1/28/2014) Year of the Horse- Grevy’s Zebra…
We back up our trunk and left before snow came to HQs! Edmond was so excited he could hardly contain himself. The E&E plane headed to East Africa to find a large member of the Equid family; in fact it’s the largest member of the family! We had to pack our desert gear and loads of mud SPF 50! Edmond really wanted to don some stripes so he could blend in, but I talked him out of it.
Their range and habitat: East Africa/desert, grassland
Their length/weight: 8 ¼- 9 ¾ ft/ 700-900 lb Their status: endangered
They are herbivores (grasses, scrubs)
Grevy’s Zebras are the largest species of zebra.
They have white on their bellies, the base of their tales and on their rumps.
Grevy’s zebras have a distinctive black stripe down their back.
Male grevy’s zebras occupy a large territory- up to 4 square miles. This is the largest territory of any herbivore on earth.
Grevy’s zebra foals can stand up 6 minutes after birth.
We had such a wonderful afternoon watching the herd we found. Edmond wanted to go over and hang out with them, but I convinced him to let them be wild! The males were so amazing to watch as the marked their territory. Our guide told us that there are some great conservation groups working to increase the numbers of these amazing animals! Go Zebra’s Go!!
-Ellie
Happy Year of the Horse!
I am so excited for the Chinese New Year this year! We celebrated dragons two years ago and last year was the year of the snake, but this year is the YEAR OF THE HORSE!! I’m going to be putting on my tap shoes and dancing all over to celebrate! Ellie and I will be going to meet some of my wild relatives this week, but first up I want to tell you a bit about horses in general!
We horses have co-existed with humans for thousands of years. We have been friends, workers and therapy for people. Being a horse is a great honor and I am so excited to be celebrating this new year! Ellie and I are packing the travel trunk to go meet some of my relatives, including the zebra and the Przewalski’s wild horse. I have a special horse craft to share with you too. High hooves for everyone!!
Science Word of the Week with Professor Tamandua!
Hello class! Today’s word is Vertebrate! A Vertebrate is an animal that has a backbone! Animals that fall in to this category include bony fish, cartilaginous fish, birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians! Backbones help support a central nervous system (they protect the spine)! Yay for backbones!
Day #13 (1/24/2014) Back home to meet a local bird…
We decided to head home a day early to meet a city bird. These birds often get a bad reputation, but we just love them. A cold blast has come through here at HQs! We had to bundle up to go for a walk and find the Rock Dove!
Their range and habitat: Australia, Europe, Africa, South America/ urban-suburban
Their length/weight: 11-15”/8.4-13 oz Their status: common
They are herbivores (seeds, fruits)
We sat and watched the local pigeons for quite a while in the cold. We have never understood why pigeons get so little respect. They are very adaptable and live in most major cities all over the world. We think they are great reminder that no matter what kind of habitat you live in or near, wildlife finds a way! Go Pigeons Go! Class will be in session over at the University of E&E Sunday!
-Ellie and Edmond
Day #12 (1/23/14) – Guess the Animal
We’re having trouble with the internet out here on our boat. It makes it hard to post. Good thing we head back to land this afternoon. We saw the most amazing fish yesterday in the sub and as we headed back to the surface we spotted a school of these fish. Read the clues and tell which fish you think it is!
Who is it?
–Ellie and Edmond
Day #11 (1/22/2014) Back on the road(and in the ocean)
We had a great weekend and really enjoyed celebrating Penguin Appreciation Day and Squirrel Appreciation Day! We spent the evening before deciding where we wanted to go this short week. We haven’t taken out the submarine in while, so we made the decision to do looking for a crazy looking fish! Packing up a submarine can be tricky, but luckily we have a great support staff. It’s always exciting to get lowered in to the water and find amazing species! Today’s fish is especially crazy! It’s the Barreleye!
Their range and habitat: tropical-subtropical oceans/ worldwide
Their length: up to 4 ¼” Their status: common
They are carnivores
You never known what two explorers will find when they go looking the oceans great depths. We know so little about the creatures that live in the largest habitat on earth. Ellie has a bit of claustrophobia, so after a few hours in the sub she is ready to come back to the surface. I myself could stay in there for hours and hours! Tomorrow is Guess the Animal and it’s one we spotted on our way back up to the surface!
-Edmond
SQUIRREL APPRECIATION DAY!!
Who loves squirrels? We love squirrels!! These great little rodents are some of the best tree planters around! When squirrels stash their seeds and nuts for the winter, they often forget some and those seeds and nuts can grow into trees!
So if you love trees (and who doesn’t) then thank a squirrel! And enjoy our squirrel coloring sheet!
PENGUINS APPRECIATION DAY!!!
We’re celebrating everyone’s favorite flightless bird with two coloring sheets!
University of E&E
Welcome new students to the University of E&E (where animals teach about animals)
We here at the University of Ellie and Edmond strive to teach as many as we can about animals. We want to instill a fascination, appreciation and respect for the animals that we all share this planet earth with. We want to introduce you to one of our most esteemed professors- Professor T. Tamandua! Professor Tamandua will be sharing the Science Word of the Week with you, along with 2 o’clock trivia that we post on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram during the week! (A tamandua is a lesser anteater. They live in South America and have a very strong odor to protect themselves.) Have a seat, sit back and let’s learn!
Hello students! I am so glad you could join me here at the University! Today’s word is Ectothermic!
Ectothermic (ek-tuh-thurm) An animal that regulates its body temperature by using the outside environment. Fish, reptiles and amphibians are ectothermic. Invertebrates are also ectothermic. Another word for Ectothermic is Cold-Blooded.
Can you name some ectothermic animals?
TRIVIA!!
Here are the trivia questions for the week! Can you answer them all? (scroll down if you get stuck)
Squirrels cannot vomit. True of False
All species of armadillos can roll into balls when threatened. True or False
Naked mole rats are neither moles nor rats. True or False
A _________ has the longest hair of any mammal. A) musk ox B) polar bear C) arctic fox
Stingrays are related to ________. A) dolphins B) sharks C) tuna
False! Squirrels can vomit! Flying squirrels, rabbits, rats and horses are among the animals that cannot vomit though!
False! Only the 3 banded armadillos can roll into balls to protect themselves.
True. Naked mole rats are rodents, but not moles or rats. Time for a name change for the only mammal that lives in a colony with a queen!
A-Musk Ox have the longest hair of any mammal on earth! That keeps them warm in those cold arctic temps!
B- Sharks. Both rays and sharks are cartilaginous (their skeletons are made of cartilage) fish!
Thanks for stopping by for this week’s lesson! See you next Sunday!
Professor Tamandua.
The Adventures of Ellie and Edmond 