Posts Tagged With: science

Day 17- Off to meet a bat…

Posted on February 4, 2014 by Ellie and Edmond ©

Day #17 (2/4/2014) Off to meet a bat…

      After a day of technical difficulties at HQs, we made it out to today’s destination. Being world travelers can be full of many troubles and trials. We took to the E&E plane to South America to meet a little member of that flying mammal family- bats! We trekked through the rainforest to find some amazing bats with long noses. It was hot and humid during the walk, but we had such fun trying to spot the Proboscus bat.

e & e rainforest

Their range and habitat: Mexico-Central South America/ rainforest

Their length/weight: 1 ½-2”/ 1/8- 7/32 oz    Their status: common

They are insectivores (insects)

proboscis bat

  • Proboscus bats are also called the sharp-nosed bat.
  • They have long pointed noses.
  • Proboscus bats roost in groups lining up nose to tail during the day.
  • Proboscus bats nocturnal.
  • There is usually one dominate male in the group.
  • Proboscus bats have white stripes on their backs.  

 proboscis bat2

We are sitting in camp for the night. It was so cool to find these little bats all line to line in the trees. We wanted to stay and watch them leave for the night, but we had to head back before dark. The rainforest is full of many predators at night.

-Ellieand Edmond

 

 

Categories: adventure, Animals, Children, conservation, education, Environment, mammals, nature, science, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

HAPPY GROUNDHOG DAY!!

Posted on February 2, 2014 by Ellie and Edmond ©

HAPPY GROUNDHOG DAY!!!

groundhog day UEE

It’s the day where groundhogs all around the United States predict the weather! This tradition goes back many years, so today I’m going to share some fun facts about these rodents!

groundhog

  • Groundhogs are also known as the Woodchuck.
  • Groundhogs live in North America in woodland and grassland habitats.
  • They are herbivore and eat seeds, fruits, grasses and the occasional insect.
  • Groundhogs are rodents and are the largest member of the ground squirrel or marmot family.
  • They are excellent at climbing and swimming.
  • Groundhogs burrow in the ground.
  • They gorge all summer on food to fatten up!
  • Groundhogs hibernate in the winter.
  • They are known to whistle when threatened.

Groundhogs are great little creatures! Who knew they were related to squirrels? Do you have a famous groundhog where you live? We hope you enjoyed this week’s lesson! Get out your crayons and pencils class and enjoy this groundhog coloring sheet! -Professor Tamandua!

 

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

HAPPY YEAR OF THE HORSE!!!

Posted on February 1, 2014 by Ellie and Edmond ©

HAPPY YEAR OF THE HORSE!!!

Come color your very own Edmond and share  your artwork with us!!!

edmond coloring sheet

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

Year of the Horse- PRZEWALSKI’S HORSE

Posted on January 31, 2014 by Ellie and Edmond ©

Day #16 (1/31/2014) Year of the Horse- Przewalski’s Horse

      We headed out of HQs after a few snowy days. We decided to head to DC and the National Zoo to meet this horse as there are only around 400 in the wild. We had a great time watching these beautys and learning about the last true wild horses on earth.

e e ear muffs

Their range and habitat: Mongolia (East Asia)/ grasslands

Their length/weight: 7 ½-8 ½ ft/ 440-600 lbs  Their status:  critically endangered

They are herbivores (grasses, scrubs)

prwelski's horse

  • Przewalski’s horses are stocky horses with large heads and short legs.
  • They live in herds led by a senior mare, family members and a lead stallion.
  • Przewalski’s horses were reintroduced in the wild. There is a small population now.
  • Przewalski’s horses groom each other.
  • They have two more chromosomes than domestic horses.  

Theses last wild relatives are so gorgeous! I really hope I am able to meet them in wild some day! Today zoos like the National Zoo are helping protect that population with research and breeding programs! We learned all about their efforts and they are amazing! Check them out here! Look for a special color your own me tomorrow!!

prwelski's horse2  prwelski's horse3

-Edmond

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

GUESS THE ANIMAL

Posted on January 30, 2014 by Ellie and Edmond ©

 Day #15 (1/29/14) – Guess the Animal

We headed back to HQs just before the snow storm hit! We had a lovely snow day, but then we were stuck at HQs! So we missed a day of Year of the Horse Week- we’ll be making it up Saturday! Today it’s time to guess the animal! Do you know who it is?

beach3

 

  •          I am a very breed of horse.
  •          I have a white blaze on my nose.
  •          I am known for my fun, silly personality!

Who is it?

–Ellie and Edmond

Categories: adventure, Animals, Children, conservation, education, Environment, horses, nature, science, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Year of the Horse- Grevy’s Zebra

Posted on January 28, 2014 by Ellie and Edmond ©

Day #14 (1/28/2014) Year of the Horse- Grevy’s Zebra…

      We back up our trunk and left before snow came to HQs!  Edmond was so excited he could hardly contain himself. The E&E plane headed to East Africa to find a large member of the Equid family; in fact it’s the largest member of the family! We had to pack our desert gear and loads of mud SPF 50! Edmond really wanted to don some stripes so he could blend in, but I talked him out of it.

e & e safari van

Their range and habitat: East Africa/desert, grassland

Their length/weight: 8 ¼- 9 ¾ ft/ 700-900 lb    Their status: endangered

They are herbivores (grasses, scrubs)

grevy's zebra

Grevy’s Zebras are the largest species of zebra.

They have white on their bellies, the base of their tales and on their rumps.

Grevy’s zebras have a distinctive black stripe down their back.

Male grevy’s zebras occupy a large territory- up to 4 square miles. This is the largest territory of any herbivore on earth.

Grevy’s zebra foals can stand up 6 minutes after birth.

grevy's zebra2  grevy's zebra3

We had such a wonderful afternoon watching the herd we found. Edmond wanted to go over and hang out with them, but I convinced him to let them be wild! The males were so amazing to watch as the marked their territory. Our guide told us that there are some great conservation groups working to increase the numbers of these amazing animals! Go Zebra’s Go!!

-Ellie

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

YEAR OF THE HORSE!!

Posted on January 27, 2014 by Ellie and Edmond ©

Happy Year of the Horse!

I am so excited for the Chinese New Year this year! We celebrated dragons two years ago and last year was the year of the snake, but this year is the YEAR OF THE HORSE!! I’m going to be putting on my tap shoes and dancing all over to celebrate! Ellie and I will be going to meet some of my wild relatives this week, but first up I want to tell you a bit about horses in general!

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  • My earliest relatives were around 45-55 million years ago.

edmond history

  • We were domesticated around 4,000 years ago.
  • We horses have a single toe on each foot. The outside of our hooves is like a human’s fingernail and must be trimmed.
  • We horses walk on our tip toes and so does my best friend Ellie!

edmond with hoof

  • I am an ungulate- meaning I have hooves. Ellie is also an ungulate.
  • There is one species of domestic horse and 4,000 breeds.
  • Horses have the largest eye of any land mammal on earth. We have a 350 degree range of vision.
  • The only wild species of horse is the Przewalski’s horse! We’re going to visit them later in the week.
  • I can sleep standing up or sitting down.
  • My relatives include the tapir and the rhino! Those rhinos are really unicorns!

edmond unicorn

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We horses have co-existed with humans for thousands of years. We have been friends, workers and therapy for people. Being a horse is a great honor and I am so excited to be celebrating this new year! Ellie and I are packing the travel trunk to go meet some of my relatives, including the zebra and the Przewalski’s wild horse. I have a special horse craft to share with you too. High hooves for everyone!!

 

 

 

Categories: adventure, Animals, Children, conservation, education, Environment, horses, mammals, nature, science, Uncategorized, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Science Word of the Week!

Posted on January 26, 2014 by Ellie and Edmond ©

Science Word of the Week with Professor Tamandua!

tamandua-vertebrate

Hello class! Today’s word is Vertebrate! A Vertebrate is an animal that has a backbone! Animals that fall in to this category include bony fish, cartilaginous fish, birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians! Backbones help support a central nervous system (they protect the spine)! Yay for backbones!

shark-vertebrate

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

Day 13- Back home to meet a local bird…

Posted on January 24, 2014 by Ellie and Edmond ©

Day #13 (1/24/2014) Back home to meet a local bird…

      We decided to head home a day early to meet a city bird. These birds often get a bad reputation, but we just love them. A cold blast has come through here at HQs! We had to bundle up to go for a walk and find the Rock Dove!

e e orange scarves

Their range and habitat: Australia, Europe, Africa, South America/ urban-suburban

Their length/weight: 11-15”/8.4-13 oz    Their status: common

They are herbivores (seeds, fruits)

pigeon

  • Rock doves are also known as the Rock pigeon or pigeon.
  • Their colors vary. They usually have some iridescent feathers.  
  • Rock doves are excellent navigators. They use the earth’s magnetic fields.
  • The babies are called squeakers. Male and females care for the babies.
  • Rock doves have been domesticated for about 5,000 years.

 pigeons3pigeons2

We sat and watched the local pigeons for quite a while in the cold. We have never understood why pigeons get so little respect. They are very adaptable and live in most major cities all over the world.  We think they are great reminder that no matter what kind of habitat you live in or near, wildlife finds a way! Go Pigeons Go! Class will be in session over at the University of E&E Sunday!

-Ellie and Edmond

 

 

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

Day 12- Guess the Animal

Posted on January 23, 2014 by Ellie and Edmond ©

 Day #12 (1/23/14) – Guess the Animal

We’re having trouble with the internet out here on our boat. It makes it hard to post. Good thing we head back to land this afternoon. We saw the most amazing fish yesterday in the sub and as we headed back to the surface we spotted a school of these fish. Read the clues and tell which fish you think it is!

hammerhead

 

  •          They are a cartilaginous fish.
  •          They can be seen in schools or alone.
  •          They are named after a tool.

Who is it?

–Ellie and Edmond

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

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