Posts Tagged With: reptiles

REPTILIAN TUESDAY # 54

Posted on December 4, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

REPTILIAN TUESDAY #54

It’s that wondrous day of the week, where we go on an adventure to meet a reptile and today we are off to the marshes of North America to find one colorful turtle! Apparently they like painting! Hahahaha!

e & e wetlands

MEET THE PAINTED TURTLE!

painted turtle   Range/Habitat: North America/lakes, rivers, ponds

   Diet: Omnivores: bugs, plants

   Length: 6-10”

   Conservation Status: common

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • Painted turtles are freshwater turtles.
  • They have a flat, smooth carapace (top shell).
  • Painted turtles have yellow stripes on their necks and orange coloration on their bottom shells.
  • Painted turtles bask in the sun in groups.
  • They sleep on the bottom of the river at night.
  • In colder climates Painted turtles hibernate during the winter.

Painted turtles are so gorgeous. They are great additions to any watery habitat! We love to count turtles piled on logs and rocks in the summertime! How about you?

painted turtle2     painted turtle3

 

 

 

Categories: adventure, american, Animals, Children, conservation, education, Environment, nature, reptiles, rivers, science, turtles, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

GREATEST HITS REPTILIAN TUESDAY!

Posted on November 27, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

REPTILIAN TUESDAY GREATEST HITS!

We’re going to Egypt today to revisit a reptile with a bad reputation on this day of greatest hits! Grab your gear and let’s head off to North Africa, but remember to keep your distance from this snake!

MEET THE EGYPTIAN COBRA!

   Range/Habitat: Northwest Africa and East Africa/ desert and

grasslands

   Diet:  Carnivore: small mammals, snakes, birds and eggs

   Length: 3 ½-8ft

   Conservation Status: Common

Fun Facts:

  • Egyptian Cobras are highly venomous snakes.
  • They are nocturnal (active at night).
  • They are known to be aggressive and are quick to defend themselves.
  • Egyptian Cobras will “stand up” and spread open their hoods to make themselves look bigger.
  • Egyptian cobras are highly territorial and will often fight each other for territory.
  • Their venom is fatal to humans if not treated.

Egyptian cobras are quite intimating but are awesome! Remember that every animal has a place on this earth and even the ones that seem scary belong in their habitat! Just think, if we didn’t have snakes, we’d have tons and tons of rats and mice! They’re all part of the food web!

Recently an Egyptian Cobra made the news when she escaped from enclosure at the Bronx Zoo. Luckily she was found curled up in a corner of the reptile house!

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

REPTILIAN TUESDAY # 53

Posted on November 20, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

REPTILIAN TUESDAY #53

Today’s reptile can be found in Eastern Australia, so let’s head to the land down under! Grab your hiking boots and walking stick and let’s head out to meet…

MEET THE LACE MONITOR!

   Range/Habitat: Australia/ forests

   Diet: Carnivore: birds, eggs, reptiles

   Length: 5-6 ft

   Conservation Status: common

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • Lace monitors are gray-bluish with yellow spots.
  • They have long claws for climbing.
  • Lace monitors have long necks.
  • Lace monitors are solitary.
  • They are Australia’s second largest lizard.
  • Female lace monitors lay their eggs in a termite mound.

Lace monitors are super cool lizards. We were wondering if they would make tree climbing buddies. What do you think?

 

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

REPTILIAN TUESDAY # 52

Posted on November 13, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

REPTILIAN TUESDAY #52

We’re going to a tiny island off the east coast of Africa to meet today’s reptile. These rare reptiles are gorgeous. Let’s go on a hike to meet…

MEET THE ROUND ISLAND BOA!

   Range/Habitat: Round Island

   Diet: Carnivore: lizards

   Length: 3- 5 ft

   Conservation Status: endangered

Fun Facts:

  • Round Island Boas are one of the world’s rarest snakes.
  • They have keeled shaped scales.
  • Round Island boas have long slender bodies and narrow heads.
  • Female Round Island boas lay eggs.
  • Young Round Island boas are bright orange when they are born.

Round Island Boas are so cool. Luckily, these endangered snakes have people working to help increase their numbers. We sure hope they are successful!

 

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

REPTILIAN TUESDAY # 51

Posted on November 6, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

REPTILIAN TUESDAY #51

Who’s ready to go to the Mediterranean with us today to meet a handsome and sturdy reptile? We knew you guys would be up for another fantastic adventure, so let’s do this!

MEET THE HERMANN’S TORTOISE!

   Range/Habitat: Southeast Europe-Mediterranean Islands/ grasslands

   Diet: Omnivore: flowers, fruit, leaves, slugs

   Length: 6-8”

   Conservation Status: near threatened

 

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • Hermann’s Tortoise coloration varies by the area that they live in.
  • They have a domed carapace (top shell).
  • Hermann’s tortoises hide in dense vegetation.
  • The male Hermann’s tortoises are smaller than the females.
  • Hermann’s tortoises hibernate in colder areas of their range.

Hermann’s tortoises are so cute! We are such huge tortoise and turtle fans! They come with their own built in shell! What’s your favorite thing about them?

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

REPTILIAN TUESDAY # 50

Posted on October 30, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

REPTILIAN TUESDAY #50

We’re going to Africa today to meet a large and ferocious reptile! These big guys inhabit watery spots and are definitely not an animal to mess with! Let’s load up on the E & E safari truck and head out!

 

MEET THE NILE CROCODILE!

    Range/Habitat: Africa/ rivers, lakes, wetlands

    Diet: Carnivore: fish, antelope, zebra

    Length: 11-16 ft/500-1,000 lbs

   Conservation Status: common

 

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • Nile Crocodiles are the largest crocodile species in Africa.
  • They are dark olive in coloration.
  • Nile crocodiles have long jaws. Their teeth are exposed when their mouth is closed.
  • The males are very territorial.
  • Nile crocodiles are ambush predators.
  • They cannot chew their prey and must swallow chunks whole.
  • Nile crocodile females lay their eggs in a nest. They use the same nest throughout their lifetime.

Nile crocodiles are very fierce! Their ancestors have been on the planet for millions of years. Despite their bad dispositions we really like these predators and give them loads of respect!

 

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

REALLY SCARY REPTILIAN TUESDAY!

Posted on October 23, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

HALLOWEEN WEEK!

REALLY SCARY REPTILIAN TUESDAY!

We’re staying in the grasslands of Africa on this Really Scary Reptilian Tuesday to meet one of the most deadly snakes in the world. We’ll be looking for this reptile from the safari truck so everyone stays safe! Are you ready?

 

MEET THE BLACK MAMBA!

   Range/Habitat: East-South Africa/ forests-grasslands

   Diet: Carnivore: birds, small mammals

   Length: 8 ¼-11 ft

   Conservation Status: common

 

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • Black Mambas are very fast, they can reach speeds of 12 ½ mph.
  • Black mambas are extremely venomous.
  • They are a brown/gray color. They get their name from the color of the inside of their mouths.
  • Black mambas are very territorial.
  • They are diurnal (active during the day).
  • Black mambas can be fatal to humans.

Black mambas are very dangerous and should be watched from a distance for sure! These fast snakes are definitely best left alone!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

REPTILIAN TUESDAY # 49

Posted on October 16, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

REPTILIAN TUESDAY #49

We’re jetting off to the island of Madagascar today to find one of their many species of chameleons! They may be using their camouflage super powers, so we will have to use our expert observation skills! You ready? Let’s do this!

MEET THE PANTHER CHAMELEONS!

 

   Range/Habitat: Madagascar/ rainforests

   Diet: Carnivore: insects, small animals

   Length: 16-20”

  Conservation Status: common

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • Male Panther Chameleons are the most colorful of all chameleons.
  • They can change color to blend in with their habitat.
  • Male Panther Chameleons also change their colors to attract females.
  • Each Panther Chameleon eye moves independently of each other. They can point them in two different directions at the same time!
  • They have long sticky tongues that they use to capture their prey!
  • Panther Chameleon tongues can be longer than their bodies!
  • They are slow movers.

Panther Chameleons are gorgeous with their bright colors. Did you know that even a blind chameleon could still blend in with its habitat? Cool, huh? We just love chameleons; how about you?

 

 

 

 

 

Categories: adventure, Animals, Children, conservation, education, Environment, rainforests, reptiles, science, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

REPTILIAN TUESDAY # 48

Posted on October 9, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

REPTILIAN TUESDAY #48

We’re going on a short road trip today to meet one cute but stinky reptile! These turtles inhabit our local area and we’ve even met a few on twitter! So let’s get on our hiking shoes and go looking for these great reptiles!

MEET THE STINKPOT!

   Range/Habitat: Southeastern United States/ wetlands, ponds

   Diet: Omnivore: plants, insects, mollusks

   Length: 3 ¼-5”

   Conservation Status: common

 

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • Stinkpots are also known as the Common Musk Turtle.
  • They expel a foul musk odor as a defense mechanism.
  • Stinkpots spend most of the lives in water.
  • They are often covered in algae.
  • Stinkpot males have longer tails than females.
  • They have barbells on their chin that help them find food.
  • Stinkpots use their tongues to breathe underwater.

Stinkpots are such cute little turtles! So many animals use the defense of emitting a stinky smell, so it must work! The best part of these little turtles is their fun name- Stinkpots! Try saying it without smiling!

  

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

REPTILIAN TUESDAY # 47

Posted on October 2, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

REPTILIAN TUESDAY #47

We docked the boat from our trip off the coast of South America and jumped on a plane to the northern part of the continent. We’re going on the wetlands to find one cool reptile. Grab your hats and let’s go!

MEET THE CAIMAN LIZARD!

   Range/Habitat: Northern South America/rainforest-wetlands

   Diet: Carnivore: snails, crabs

   Length: 3- 3 ½ ft

   Conservation Status: not listed

 

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • Caiman lizards have large cone shaped scales on their backs and tails.
  • Male Caiman lizards have green bodies and orange throats and females have gray throats.
  • Caiman lizards have strong jaws for crushing snail shells.
  • They are excellent swimmers.
  • Caiman lizards spend most of their time in or near water.

Caiman lizards are so colorful and cool! They look like little dinosaurs, well if they had feathers they would! If you could color a lizard any color, what colors would you use?

 

 

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

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