Posts Tagged With: science

ORANGUTAN AWARENESS DAY!

Posted on November 14, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

ORANGUTAN AWARENESS DAY!

We are sporting orange today and going to the rainforests of Southeast Asia to celebrate one of the most special mammals and great apes on the planet! These amazing apes are gorgeous, intelligent and unfortunately endangered. So today we are going to share some fun facts, photos and resources and how you can help protect these special creatures!

Orangutans are great apes.
There are two species, the Bornean and the Sumantran.
Orangutans are solitary in the wild.
Orangutans are arboreal (spend most of their lives in trees.)
They are frugivores.
Orangutans are highly intelligent.
Baby orangutans stay with their mothers for around 8 years, the longest of any primate.
Orangutans have extremely long arm spans, up to 7 feet from finger tips to finger tips.
Orangutans’ feet are built just like hands and help them climb in the trees.

There are several organizations that are working very hard to ensure that orangutans have a future in the wild. Their rainforest home is rapidly disappearing mainly due to palm oil plantations. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is one of the leading institutions working to solve this issue. Check out their website!

Categories: adventure, Animals, apes, Children, conservation, education, Environment, mammals, nature, orangutans, rainforests, science, wildlife | Tags: adventure, animals, children, conservation, education, environment, mammals, nature, science, wildlife | Leave a comment

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: animals, children, education, envrionment, nature, reptiles, science, wildlife | Leave a comment

MAMMAL MONDAY # 52

Posted on November 12, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

MAMMAL MONDAY #52

We’re off to Southeast Asia today to meet a monkey who lives amongst people and in the wild! Are you ready to head out and see who we meet today? Let’s do this!

MEET THE LONG TAILED MACAQUE!

Range/Habitat: Southeast Asia/ rainforests, urban, coasts

Diet: Omnivore: fruit, seeds, aquatic animals

Length/Weight: 14 ½-23”/ 7 ¾- 26 lbs

Conservation Status: common

Fun Facts:

Long tailed Macaques are one of the most common monkeys in Southeast Asia.
They live in troops of 5-60 individuals.
Long tailed Macaques are also known as the Crab-Eating Macaques.
Their tails are as long as their bodies.
Long tailed macaques often live in areas that are populated with people.
They use tools such as stones to open nuts and oysters.

Long tailed Macaques are so cool. People and monkeys often live together, but the monkeys can be a nuisance. It is important that we remember; feeding wild animals can be bad for them as they learn that humans are not dangerous or that human food is better than their natural diet.

Categories: adventure, Animals, Children, conservation, education, entertainment, mammals, nature, science, wildlife | Tags: adventure, animals, children, conservation, education, environment, mammals, nature, science, wildlife | Leave a comment

FEATHERY FRIDAY # 51

Posted on November 9, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

FEATHERY FRIDAY #51

We’re off to the forests of Canada today to meet a member of the raptor family! These gorgeous birds can be hard to spot, so you’ll need your best observation skills! Are you ready? Let’s meet…

MEET THE NORTHERN GOSHAWK!

Range/Habitat: Northern Hemisphere/ forests-mainly old growth

Diet: Carnivore: birds, small mammals

Length/Weight: 19-28”/ 2 ¼-3 ¼ lbs

Conservation Status: common

Fun Facts:

Northern Goshawks are raptors.
They have long tails.
Northern Goshawks coloration varies by the region that they live in.
Female Northern Goshawks are larger than males.
They are very territorial.
Northern Goshawks are shy and secretive.
They can reach high speeds when flying.

Northern Goshawks are very majestic birds. They are often used in falconry too. We love raptors as a group, because they are so awesome!

Categories: adventure, Animals, birds, Children, conservation, education, Environment, nature, science, wildlife | Tags: adventure, animals, birds, children, conservation, education, environment, nature, science, wildlife | Leave a comment

SUPER SURPRISE THURSDAY # 51

Posted on November 8, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

SUPER SURPRISE THURSDAY #51

It’s time to meet our Super Surprise Thursday animal and to do so we must go to North Africa! We’re on the lookout for a small member of the canine family. Are you ready for today’s adventure?

MEET THE RUPPELL’S FOX!

Range/Habitat: North Africa- West Asia/ scrub-desert

Diet: Omnivore: reptiles, insects, grasses

Length/Weight: 16-20”/ 2 ¼-6 ½ lbs

Conservation Status: common

Fun Facts:

Ruppell’s Foxes are also called the Sand Fox.
They are crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk).
Ruppell’s Foxes change their dens every few days.
They scent mark their territories.
Ruppell’s foxes have large ears and white tipped tails.
They are one of the smallest members of the fox family.

Ruppell’s foxes are so cute with their large ears and slender bodies. We see red fox near our house and they are so fast. Do you love foxes?

Categories: adventure, africa, Animals, Children, conservation, education, Environment, mammals, nature, science, wildlife | Tags: adventure, animals, children, conservation, education, environment, mammals, nature, science, wildlife | Leave a comment

WATERY WEDNESDAY # 51

Posted on November 7, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

WATERY WENESDAY # 51

We’re off in the E & E sub to meet a small and spotty shark! Are you ready to meet this cartilaginous fish? We have room for everyone! Let’s do this!

MEET THE LEOPARD SHARK!

Range/Habitat: Eastern North Pacific/ oceans-near estuaries

Diet: Carnivore: invertebrates, crabs

Length/Weight: up to 7 ft/ up to 71 lb

Conservation Status: common

Fun Facts:

Leopard Sharks have spots on their backs and sides.
They have long slender bodies and a large dorsal fin.
Leopard sharks are harmless to humans.
Leopard sharks have short round snouts.
They have strong jaws full of flat teeth for crushing prey.

Leopard Sharks certainly earned their name from another famous predator! It sure seems that spots and stripes help you camouflage in with your habitat! What kind of coloration would you want to help you camouflage in with your habitat?

Categories: adventure, Animals, Children, conservation, education, entertainment, nature, oceans, science, sharks, wildlife | Tags: adventure, animals, children, conservation, education, environment, fish, nature, oceans, science, sharks, wildlife | 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: adventure, animals, children, conservation, education, environment, nature, reptiles, science, wildlife | 2 Comments

FEATHERY FRIDAY # 50

FEATHERY FRIDAY #50

Woohoo, we’ve made it to Friday and that means it time to meet a new bird friend! We’re off to the island country of New Zealand today to meet a member of the pigeon family! So let’s head out on today’s adventure!

MEET THE NEW ZEALAND PIGEON!

Range/Habitat: New Zealand/ forest-woodlands

Diet: Frugivores: fruits, plants

Length/Weight: 18-20”/ 21-29 oz

Conservation Status: near threatened

Fun Facts:

New Zealand Pigeons are the largest species of pigeons in New Zealand.
They are the only native pigeon species.
They are also called the Kereru in New Zealand.
New Zealand pigeons have dark and iridescent feathers on the top of their bodies and white bellies.
They can eat very large fruit.
New Zealand pigeons are important seed dispersers. They poop out seed of the fruit they eat and in turn help to grow new fruit trees.

Pigeons often get such a bad rap, but we just love these birds. New Zealand pigeons are so very important for the growth of new trees too. Without seed dispersers like these birds, forests would often have little new growth! Way to go pigeons!!

Categories: adventure, Animals, birds, Children, conservation, education, Environment, science, wildlife | Tags: adventure, animals, birds, children, conservation, education, environment, nature, science, wildlife | Leave a comment

SUPER SURPRISE THURSDAY # 50

SUPER SURPRISE THURSDAY #50

We’re taking the E & E sub out today to find a fish who looks like a fruit! Whaaaaat you ask! Well, we are in search of a cool and amazing fish who is yellow and black! We have room for everyone, so let’s head out to meet…

MEET THE PINEAPPLE FISH!

Range/Habitat: Indo-Pacific Oceans

Diet: Carnivore: fish, invertebrates

Length/Weight: up to 11”/ up to 18 oz

Conservation Status: common

Fun Facts:

Pineapple Fish get their name from their shape and color.
They have sharp spines on their dorsal and pelvic fins.
Pineapple fish have a bioluminescent organ on their lower jaw that they use to attract prey.
Pineapple fish are nocturnal (active at night).
They are found in deeper waters.
Pineapple fish have armor-like scaled covering their bodies.

Pineapple fish are really cute, but our favorite thing about them is their bioluminescent organ! How neat it is that they have their own build in glow stick :)!

Categories: adventure, Animals, Children, conservation, education, Environment, fish, nature, oceans, science, wildlife | Tags: adventure, animals, children, conservation, education, environment, fish, nature, oceans, science, wildlife | Leave a comment

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

We’re celebrating Halloween with a fun set of pictures of animals with pumpkins! Often zoos and aquariums give animals in the fall pumpkins for enrichment! What’s enrichment you ask?

Enrichment is either food, habitat, or training. Enrichment provides animals with stimulation that they may not get in captivity. Here’s a great explanation of enrichment from the National Zoo in Washington DC.

Let’s check out these fun pictures and videos and Happy Halloween!

Here’s a FUN VIDEO FROM DISNEY’S ANIMAL KINGDOM AND SAN DIEGO SAFARI PARK!