Posts Tagged With: envrionment

Hellooooo Panda!

Posted on March 28, 2018 by Ellie and Edmond ©

Hellooooo Panda!

We are meeting our last animal here in China- probably the most iconic one. The Giant Panda is close to our heart. These funny bears call just a few zoos home and we have been lucky enough to have a pair and their offspring right down the road from HQs at Zoo Atlanta. Let’s learn more about these national symbols of China.

870145EE-562E-46C0-82AB-1D28812658A0

Giant Panda Fun Facts: 

  • Giant pandas live in bamboo forests in the mountains of China.
  • That bamboo makes up 99% of their diet. That’s right, these carnivores eat a mostly herbivore diet, with the occasional fish or protein.
  • Because bamboo is not very nutritional, pandas can eat 20-40 pounds a day.
  • They have an elongated wrist bone called a pseudo-thumb (fake thumb), that helps them hold bamboo.
  • Pandas grow up to 5 feet long and can weigh up to 100 lbs.
  • Females give birth to little pink cubs whose eyes and ears are closed when they are born.
  • Those cubs stay with their mom for about a year and a half.
  • Pandas are excellent climbers.
  • Fossils of giant pandas ancestors have been found that are 1-2 million years old.
  • They are listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN.

79CF8C81-92EB-40B3-9E07-8C9D98721324

These funny bears are one of our favorites. Their unusual markings make them a favorite with many people! They have a big fan club! One of our favorite comics is all about pandas- it’s called Your Brain On Pandas! Check it out!

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

Macaques!

Posted on March 27, 2018 by Ellie and Edmond ©

Macaques!

Hello! Today we are meeting one of the most popular primates in Asia- the Rhesus Macaque! They are super cool and we hope you think so too!

66339FE0-5EEE-4D24-8B21-F411D28DD484

Rhesus Macaques Fun Facts: 

  • Rhesus macaques live in large troupes, of around 40 individuals.
  • Their groups of matriarchal, led by females.
  • Males leave their troup when they are mature.
  • These omnivores eat insects, roots, leaves and pine needles.
  • They can become a nuisance when they live near humans. They are known to steal food.
  • Rhesus macaques are highly intelligent.
  • They are excellent climbers and swimmers.
  • They are listed as Least Concern by the IUCN.

E7AB0C8C-9CBF-47EB-ACD5-FF48E31DDC71

We had such fun watching a troup of macaques in the afternoon. They spend it finding food and grooming each other and lounging. Their little faces are all so different and each individual has their own personality.

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

The Original Panda

Posted on March 22, 2018 by Ellie and Edmond ©

The Original Panda

We are meeting the original panda today! That’s right- the red panda was “discovered” 50 years before the giant panda. These two pandas are not related. The red panda is related to the raccoon and giant pandas are bears. It was thought that they were related for many years as they live in similar habitats and both eat bamboo.

6B750EE1-7556-448D-A797-3EC5BF46D8FE

Red Panda Fun Facts: 

  • Red pandas can grow up to 26 inches long and weigh up to 20 pounds. Their tales can be up to 20 inches long.
  • Those tails have white rings on them.
  • These arboreal animals are mostly nocturnal.
  • Red pandas have a pseudo thumb (an elongated wrist bone) that helps them grip bamboo. These herbivores eat other things too including; eggs, fruits and nuts.
  • They are solitary animals.
  • Red pandas come together during mating season. Red panda cubs stay with their moms for about a year.
  • They are listed as Endangered by the IUCN.

4CA92E4C-1655-45D0-8147-2699D93DC817

We love the red panda. We know they have many fans out there too. Unfornately they are endangered due to habitat loss. You can learn more on how to protect them from the Red Panda Network. 

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

A Dragon in the Water

Posted on March 21, 2018 by Ellie and Edmond ©

A Dragon in the Water

We are off to meet a little reptile who is called a dragon! They don’t look like dragons, but they are neat!

A5602AC0-66DD-44AA-8296-CB5B37FE4935

Chinese Water Dragon Fun Facts: 

  • Chinese water dragons grow to around 3 ft long. Their tail is about 2/3 of their body length.
  • Those tails can aide in balance, swimming and protecting themselves from predators.
  • Males are slightly larger and have larger crests on their heads.
  • The crests under their throats can be all kinds of colors, including purple, peach and blue.
  • These arboreal lizards are diurnal.
  • They are omnivores that eat insects, small fish and some vegetation.

F2B3D231-69D2-4357-BC45-CA6DFDA90054

We love spotting small animals as much as we love seeing the big, famous ones. For habitats and ecosystems to be healthy, all the animals that live there must have healthy populations.

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

Watch Out for Flying Frogs

Posted on March 19, 2018 by Ellie and Edmond ©

Watch Out for Flying Frogs

We headed off to meet an adorable amphibian today! They may be known to fly. We wonder if they wear capes? Hehehe! Let’s find out.

0108F82B-7D6B-48BC-A9E4-6D261D0BC3E9

Chinese Flying Frog Fun Facts: 

  • These little 4 inch frogs call tropical and subtropical forests their homes.
  • They are arboreal.
  • They are also called Chinese Gliding Frogs.
  • They have webbing between their toes. That webbing allows them to glide from tree branch to tree branch.
  • They can glide up to 50 feet.
  • Females create foam nests for their eggs and attach to those on leaves above water.
  • They are listed as Least Concern by the IUCN.

5876E700-E492-4C2C-84BF-A240C8A128A8

We enjoyed spotting this little frog with the funny little feet! It makes us want to go hang gliding!

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

Golden Bird

Posted on March 13, 2018 by Ellie and Edmond ©

Golden Bird

We went on an excursion today to look for a native bird of China. These birds are hard to miss with their bright colors and golden heads.

Golden Pheasant, Tangjiahe Nature Reserve, Sichuan, China

 

Golden Pheasant Fun Facts: 

  • Golden pheasants can grow up to 41” long. Two-thirds of that length is tail.
  • The males are much more colorful than the females. Females are typically more brown in color.
  • These diurnal birds are omnivores. They eat leaves, grains and insects.
  • Golden pheasants spend most of their time on the ground.
  • They will roost in trees at night.
  • While they can fly, they only do so in short bursts.
  • They are listed as Least Concern by the IUCN.

6776D9B1-DAD6-436F-AD22-2AA3FFD70D95

We enjoyed seeing this bird in the wild. You often spot them in zoos too!

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

Our Next Adventure

Posted on March 8, 2018 by Ellie and Edmond ©

Our Next Adventure

Did you guess where we are heading on Monday from the clues yesterday? If you guessed China- you are right!

Here are some Fun Facts About China:

  • China is a large land space. It 3,100 across from east to west and 3,400 across from north to south.
  • It has mountains, plateaus, desserts and forests.
  • Those mountain habitats cover a 1/3 of the country.
  • The Yangtze River is 3,915 miles long and it is the 3rd longest river in the world.
  • There are 3,800 species of fish that call China’s rivers home.
  • The giant panda and the red panda call the bamboo forests of China home.
  • The bactrian camel also calls China home, but in its desserts.
  • Mandarin is the most widespread language in China.

These are just a few of the amazing things we learned about China. Are you ready to meet our first animal next week? Woohoo! Pack your gear!

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

Raccoon + Butterfly= Fish

Posted on February 21, 2018 by Ellie and Edmond ©

Raccoon + Butterfly= Fish

We met another great animal during our snorkel trips- this time a wonderful reef fish- the raccoon butterflyfish! Meet them with us!

B0E55D71-9A77-4EFF-A7DB-326A6CAB640D

Raccoon Butterflyfish Fun Facts: 

  • These Butterflyfish average 8 inches long.
  • They are nocturnal.
  • These carnivores each small invertebrates and nudibranch.
  • They have large eyes.
  • They prefer shallow reefs.
  • They have a false eyespot to fool predators.

49D64616-0953-4737-A019-DBD5BF7D925C

These little fish are fun! They are popular in aquariums too. We love their bright coloration!

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

Hi Spot!

Posted on February 20, 2018 by Ellie and Edmond ©

Hi Spot!

We spent the last few days snorkeling in and around the reefs around these magically islands. We met so many spectacular animals and we are sharing one with you today!

70A39A3B-1C2A-41D0-84BF-592D209771DE

Spotted Moray Eel: 

  • Spotted morays can grow up to 6 ft long and weigh up to 5 1/2 lbs.
  • These carnivores eat fish, mollusks and crustaceans.
  • Spotted morays have two sets of jaws. The first set is in the front of their mouths. The second set is in the esophagus. The second set of jaws grabs the prey and pushes it down the throat.
  • They have poor eyesight. They use their excellent sense of smell to locate prey.
  • They are nocturnal.
  • Typically spotted morays are nocturnal.
  • They are listed as Threatened by the ICUN.

A480DCC3-50C6-4F56-A822-60F48B2FC1F1

We had a blast snorkeling and it was even more special to meet the shy and elusive eels. They love to hide among the coral and in crevices in the rocks!

 

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

Monk Seal

Posted on February 19, 2018 by Ellie and Edmond ©

Monk Seal

We hung out on the beach to meet one of Hawaii’s most endangered animals- the Hawaiian Monk Seal.  We took the SS Ellie and Edmond up to the northern islands for the week to spend some time in the reefs and among areas where there are few humans. This is where we met these special marine mammals.

48FC030E-0B88-4D81-9F93-CF2B9E5959D4

Hawaiian Monk Seal Fun Facts: 

  • These tropical seals can grow up to 7 ft long and weigh up to 600 lbs.
  • They are carnivores. They eat fish, lobsters, octopus and eels.
  • Monk seals got their name from the fold of skin that resembles a monk’s robe’s cowl. Their Hawaiian name -Ilio holo I ka uaua- means dog that runs in rough water.
  • Females are slightly larger than males.
  • They shed their hair and outer layer of skin once a year. This is called a catrostrophic molt. During this molt, they spend their days on the beach.
  • Hawaiian monk seals are the state mammal of Hawaii.
  • They are listed as Endangered by the IUCN. There around 1,500 individuals.

FD9E9BDB-A107-4DFD-80A2-DB66120DA4BD

We had a blast seeing these seals sunning themselves on the beach. They are just the cutest. They have some great organizations working to save them too! Check out Save Monk Seals website for more info!

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

Blog at WordPress.com.