Posts Tagged With: science blog

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.

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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.

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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

That is Not a Pig!

Posted on January 22, 2018 by Ellie and Edmond ©

That is Not a Pig!

We went in search a small ungulant today! What is an ungulant you ask? Ungulant are animals that have hooves- like Edmond! We were looking to meet a collared peccary. These mammals look like pigs, but they are only distantly related. Let’s learn more about them.

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Collared Peccary Fun Facts: 

  • Collared peccarys grow up to 5 ft long and weigh up to 60 lbs.
  • These herbivores eat plants, fruits, nuts and small invertebrates.
  • They live in small family groups.
  • Collared peccarys have sharp tusks that face downward. They use these to protect themselves from predators.
  • They also give off a strong musky odor when threatened.
  • These diurnal animals spend their nights in burrows.
  • They are also called the javelina.

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These funny looking animals are so cute! Have you ever heard of them? It’s fun to learn about all new animals!

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

Otter Otter

Posted on January 17, 2018 by Ellie and Edmond ©

Otter Otter

We set out to meet one of the rarer animals of the Pantanal today! We located a few having a snack. These amazing members of the mustelid family are soooo cool!

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Giant Otter Fun Facts: 

  • These large carnivores can get up to 6 ft long and weigh up to 75 lbs.
  • They have powerful tails and webbed feet for a life in the water.
  • These territorial giants live in small family groups.
  • Giant otters can eat up to 9lbs of fish a day.
  • They live in dens in the banks of the rivers they call home.
  • Giant otters are very vocal and use a variety of squeaks and screams. They are considered to be the most vocal otter species on earth.
  • They are often called the river wolf.
  • They are diurnal.
  • Giant river otters are listed as Endangered by the IUCN.

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We enjoyed seeing these amazing animals. They are now protected from the poaching that led to their decline. They are becoming important for tourism in the areas they call home.

 

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

That is One Big Snake

Posted on January 11, 2018 by Ellie and Edmond ©

That is One Big Snake

We are meeting another amazing animal of the Pantanal today! This reptile is largest snake by weight in the world. That’s why we are glad we saw it from a boat!

 

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Green anaconda fun facts: 

  • Green anacondas are giants! They can get up to 29 ft long and weigh over 500 lbs. Just to give you an idea of how long that is- a school bus is 45 ft- so they would take up 2/3 of it.
  • Females are larger than males!
  • The constrictors are carnivores. They eat small mammals, caiman and some reptiles.
  • Like other snakes, they have stretchy ligaments in their jaw that allow them to open wide and swallow large prey whole.
  • These reptiles can go weeks after eating a big meal.
  • They are mostly nocturnal!
  • Female anacondas give birth to live young, that hatch in her body! They are independent of their mothers immediately after being born.

These giants are amazing! We know people fear snakes, but we think they are awesome! These predators have been around for 100 million years, so maybe it’s time to take a new look at our legless friends and start appreciating how truly great they are!

 

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

Howling Good Time

Posted on November 28, 2017 by Ellie and Edmond ©

Howling Good Time!

Today we are meeting one loud and awesome mammal today! These tree dwellers know how to make a ruckus! We love it!

Mantled Howler Monkey (Alouatta palliata) howling, in Tortuguero, Costa Rica

Mantled Howler Monkey Fun Facts: 

  • They have long guard hairs on their face. That is where they get their name.
  • These monkeys are large. Males get up to 22 lbs. ‘
  • They are folivores- leaf eaters. They also eat fruit.
  • They are important for the rainforest, as they disperse seeds when they poop.
  • Mantled howler monkeys live in groups of mostly unrelated adults.
  • They have prehensile tails.
  • These diurnal monkeys are built for life in the trees.
  • They can be heard for a few miles away.
  • Mantled howlers are listed as Least Concern by IUCN.

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We had a blast watching these monkeys. They are fairly lazy though. They spend most of their energy eating. Those leaves did look delicious. We were glad we had snacks, because we’re sure they wouldn’t share.

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

Hello Caiman

Posted on November 27, 2017 by Ellie and Edmond ©

Hello Caiman!

We are back from our holiday break! We flew back in to camp and settled in. The next morning we rose early to meet today’s animal! We hope you think it is a cool as we do!

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Spectacled Caiman Fun Facts: 

  • Spectacled caimans are members of the crocodile family.
  • Females are smaller than males. Males can get up to 6ft long and females generally up to 4 ft long.
  • They get their name from the ridge on their head that makes them look like they are wearing glasses or spectacles.
  • They are carnivores.
  • Their scales have ostoderms; bony deposits in their skin that give them an armor.
  • Like other crocodilians, they are built to live in water.
  • They are listed as Least Concern by the IUCN.

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We think these caiman are super cool! They are not nearly as big as the American Alligator or the Nile Crocodile. Never less, we like to watch them from afar.

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

All About Acorns!

Posted on November 22, 2017 by Ellie and Edmond ©

All About Acorns!

 

Categories: adventure, Animals, bears, birds, Children, conservation, elephants, nature, science, squirrels, Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

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

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

Run Bird Run!

Posted on October 5, 2017 by Ellie and Edmond ©

EepRun Bird Run!

We are meeting one of the coolest birds in the southwest today- the greater roadrunner! Luckily this one didn’t have a coyote chasing it!

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Greater Roadrunner Fun Facts: 

  • Roadrunners have X shaped feet. The Pueblo people consider this shape sacred as it is thought to ward off evil spirits.
  • They are carnivores. They spent most of our time on the ground hunting small mammals, reptiles and toads.
  • These fierce predators slam their prey against rocks. They are also known for their ability to kill rattlesnakes, scorpions and venomous lizards.
  • Roadrunners can reach speeds of up to 20 mph.
  • They have a special gland by their eye to help excrete excess salt!
  • Roadrunners are territorial.
  • They are not good fliers.

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These funny looking birds are suited for the terrestrial habitat. Those fast feet give them an advantage in finding food and staying away from predators. Once only found in the southwest, these birds are moving east can be found as far as Louisiana now.

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

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