Posts Tagged With: nature

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

Halloween Week- Mole Rats

Posted on October 25, 2017 by Ellie and Edmond ©

Halloween Week- Mole Rats

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Today we are meeting one cool rodent! It is super cute and creepy!

Demon Mole Rat Fun Facts: 

  • They use their teeth to dig burrows underground.
  • Demon mole rats are solitary and territorial.
  • They bang their heads on their burrows to communicate with other mole rats.
  • They are related to naked mole rats.
  • They live in East Africa and call savanas their home.
  • They have orange teeth.

 

 

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

Halloween Week- Getting Crabby

Posted on October 24, 2017 by Ellie and Edmond ©

Halloween Week- Getting Crabby

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Have you ever heard of the Halloween Crab? We hadn’t either! These colorful land crabs remind us of this festive time of year!

Halloween Crab Fun Facts: 

  • They call the Pacific coast home.
  • Halloween crabs have large purple claws.
  • They are nocturnal.
  • They are also known as the Halloween moon crab.
  • Halloween crabs dig burrows.
  • They are herbivores.

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Categories: adventure, Animals, Children, conservation, education, Environment, nature, oceans, science, Today's Post, wildlife | Tags: , , , , | Leave a comment

What the Quail?

Posted on October 18, 2017 by Ellie and Edmond ©

What the Quail?

We are so excited to meet today’s bird! We have never met a quail before and of course we have to find the ones with the cutest feathers around!

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Gambel’s Quail Fun Facts: 

  • Both males and females have the topknot of feathers on their head. Males have a black patch on their bellies.
  • They are about the size of a basketball.
  • Gambel’s quails are ground dwellers. You can see them running around the ground.
  • They live in groups called coveys.
  • They are omnivores. They eat insects as chicks and graduate to mostly plant material as adults.
  • Females chirp to their eggs before they  hatch and the chicks cheep back to her.

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These funny little quails can fly, but they mostly run around looking for food! They are so neat to watch in their little family groups.

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

Slow Mover

Posted on October 17, 2017 by Ellie and Edmond ©

Slow Mover

We headed to the heart of the Mojave Desert in search of one of two species of tortoises! These desert tortoises call this their home and we were thrilled to learn more about them!

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Desert Tortoise Fun Facts:

  • These tortoises spend most of their time in burrows and shelters. They are inactive most of the year. They stay in cool areas to avoid losing water during the heat and they hibernate during the winter.
  • You’ll find them mostly after a rain.
  • They can live up to 80 years.
  • Desert tortoises have sharp claws that help them dig burrows. They can spend 95% of their lives in burrows.
  • Desert tortoises are slow growing. They still are only around 8 inches at 16 years old. They can reach up to 30 inches total.
  • These herbivores are listed as threatened and vulnerable- depending on the population.
  • Their biggest threat is habitat loss.

Desert Tortoise

These amazing creatures are made for the desert. They can survive a year without direct access to water! WOW!!

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

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