SUPER SURPRISE THURSDAY # 71
It’s time to guess the animal. Check out the photo, read the clues and tell us your answer!
- I am a cartilaginous fish.
- I am a predator.
- I have a bad reputation, but I am an essential part of the ocean!
WHO AM I?
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SUPER SURPRISE THURSDAY # 71
Categories: adventure, Animals, Children, conservation, education, Environment, fish, science, sharks, wildlife
Tags: adventure, animals, children, conservation, environment, fish, nature, oceans, science, wildlife
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WATERY WEDNESDAY # 71
WATERY WEDNESDAY # 71
We’re taking the E & E sub down to the ocean’s floor to find a member of the shark family! These beauties rest on the bottom during the day and look for food at night! We have plenty of room in the sub for everyone! Let’s do this…
MEET THE NURSE SHARK!
Range/Habitat: East Pacific-Atlantic/ reefs, coastlines
Diet: Carnivore: invertebrates, crustaceans
Length/Weight: 9-14 ft/ over 300 lbs
Conservation Status: common
Fun Facts:
- Nurse sharks have barbells on the bottom of their mouth to find food.
- They suck prey of the ocean floor.
- Nurse sharks are nocturnal.
- Nurse sharks rest on the bottom in caves and crevices during the day. They often rest in groups.
- They pump water through their mouth and over their gills when they rest.
Nurse sharks are really cool. Not all sharks have the ability to rest like these guys do; most have to swim to keep the water passing over their gills. Too bad we can’t have a nurse shark in our bathtub here at headquarters.
REPTILIAN TUESDAY # 71
REPTILIAN TUESDAY # 71
We’re going to sure the pond in our neighborhood for today’s adventure. Let’s grab some snacks for a picnic and head out to meet today’s reptile friend!
MEET THE RED EARED SLIDER!
Range/Habitat: Southern United States-Mexico/wetlands, ponds,
rivers
Diet: Omnivore: fish, tadpoles, plants
Length: 8-13”
Conservation Status: common
Fun Facts:
- Red eared sliders have red dashes around their ears.
- They bask in the sun during the day.
- Red eared sliders don’t have saliva and must eat their food under water.
- Red eared sliders have claws on their front feet.
- They brumate (become less active and hang out on the bottom of rivers/ponds during the fall and winter).
Red eared sliders are so cute. They are very popular pet to have too. Remember, if you do decide a pet turtle is for you; get them from a breeder and not from the wild. And as always do your homework, because all pets have specialized needs.
Categories: adventure, Animals, Children, conservation, education, Environment, nature, reptiles, science, turtles, wildlife
Tags: adventure, animals, children, conservation, education, environment, nature, reptiles, science, turtles, wildlife
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FEATHERY FRIDAY # 70
FEATHERY FRIDAY #70
We’re heading to South America to meet a little brown bird in the rainforest! Grab your adventure gear and let’s head out on today’s adventure.
MEET THE LITTLE CHACHALACA!
Range/Habitat: Northern South America/rainforest
Diet: herbivore: berries, fruit
Length/Weight: 15”/ 21 oz
Conservation Status: common
Fun Facts:
- Chachalaca are related to curassows.
- They are noisy birds.
- Chachalaca get their name from their call.
- Chachaalca have long tails.
- They have molted brown feathers.
These little plain looking birds have a great call! You can check it out here. We think we might practice it the rest of the day!
WORLD TURTLE DAY!
WORLD TURTLE DAY!
It’s World Turtle Day and we’re celebrating our shelled reptile friends with fun facts and photos! Tell us what you love about turtles and tortoises!
- Turtles have been on the earth for about 200 million years.
- Box turtles can live to be over a 100 years old.
- Turtles live on every continent except Antarctica.
- There are seven species of sea turtles. The Leatherback is the largest.
- The top shell is called the carapace and the bottom shell is the called the plastron.
- Turtles and tortoises are attached to their shells.
- The shells are part of their skeleton.
The coverings on the top shell are called scutes.- Scutes are made up of keratin, the same protein that makes up human hair and nails.
Turtles don’t have ears.- There are about 250 species of turtles.
Some sea turtles can dive as deep as 3,000 feet.- Turtles are reptiles.
Turtles lay eggs.- Hatchlings have a special tooth that they use to crack open their eggs.
WATERY WEDNESDAY # 70
WATERY WEDNESDAY # 70
We’re taking the E & E sub out today to meet one cool and amazing fish! These fish can fly, but beware of that mouth full of teeth! We’re starting the engines and getting ready to dive down and head out on today’s adventure!
MEET THE GIANT NEEDLEFISH!
Range/Habitat: Tropical-temperate oceans worldwide
Diet: Carnivore: fish, squid
Length/Weight: 3-5ft/ up to 7 lbs
Conservation Status: common
Fun Facts:
- Giant needlefish are the largest species member of the needle fish family.
- They have long slender bodies.
- Giant needlefish have a mouth full of sharp teeth.
- Giant needlefish can leap out of water.
Needlefish are crazy looking with their long snouts and large pointy teeth. They can harm people when they leap out of the water to escape predators and land in boats. So watch for flying fish!
Categories: adventure, Animals, Children, conservation, education, Environment, fish, nature, oceans, science, wildlife
Tags: adventure, animals, children, conservation, education, environment, fish, nature, oceans, science, wildlife
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AMPHIBIAN TUESDAY # 70
AMPHIBIAN TUESDAY # 70
It’s Amphibian Tuesday and we’re going to meet a little salamander that lives just north of us. We’re going on a hike in the woods, so grab your backpack, walking stick and a hat and let’s head out on today’s adventure!
MEET THE THREE LINED SALAMANDER!
Range/Habitat: Eastern United States/ woodland
Diet: carnivore: insects, spiders, flies
Length: 4-7”
Conservation Status: common
Fun Facts:
- Three lined salamanders have long slender bodies.
- Three lined salamanders also have very long tails.
- They are nocturnal.
- Three lined salamanders have dark stripes down their backs and sides.
- They winter underground.
These little salamanders are adorable. We would love to spend a few days in the woods looking for amphibians of all kind. Did you know amphibians are a keystone species? They often help scientist determine the health of a habitat. If the amphibian population is healthy, then the habitat is probably pretty healthy too!
Categories: adventure, amphibians, Animals, Children, conservation, education, Environment, nature, science, wildlife
Tags: adventure, amphibians, animals, children, conservation, education, environment, nature, science, wildlife
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MAMMAL MONDAY #70
MAMMAL MONDAY # 70
We’re going to New Zealand today to meet a native marine mammal. We love pinnipeds and these guys are no exception! Grab your passport and your bags and let’s goooooo…
MEET THE NEW ZEALAND SEA LION!
Range/Habitat: New Zealand-surrounding islands/ coasts, oceans
Diet: Carnivore: fish, squid
Length/Weight: 5 ¾-11 ft/ 200-1,000 lbs
Conservation Status: vulnerable
Fun Facts:
- New Zealand Sea Lions are also known as the Hooker’s Sea Lion.
- They are the rarest sea lion on earth.
- New Zealand sea lions have blunt noses.
- Male New Zealand sea lions are dark and the females are light gray.
- They are pretty agile on land.
- New Zealand sea lions have external ears.
These regal looking sea lions are protected in their homeland and there are conservation efforts being made to make sure they will be around for a very long time!
Categories: adventure, Animals, Children, conservation, education, Environment, mammals, nature, science, wildlife
Tags: adventure, animals, children, conservation, education, environment, mammals, nature, science, wildlife
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ENDANGERED SPECIES DAY!
ENDANGERED SPECIES DAY!
We’ve been highlighting endangered species and how you can help them all week. We want to explain a bit more about endangered species and have you meet a few animals who have success stories!
First, what is an endangered species? Well, that is a complicated answer. The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) is an International group that is made up of scientist, conservation organizations and governments from all over the world. They work on conservation issues all around the globe and help determine populations of animals. They have ranking system that starts at Data Deficient and goes to Critically Endangered to Extinct. Individual countries sometimes have their own ranking system and that here in the U.S. started with the Endangered Species Act. It lists animals who need protection or help due to low populations. When an animal is put on the endangered species list, it helps people protect their habitat and their population.
We often hear so many negative stories when it comes to endangered species and we wanted to share some success stories! We can make a difference and we can help protect critical habitats and the animals who live there!
Peregrine Falcons
At one time there were just 324 pairs of these fast fliers left, but now there are over 1,700 pairs*!
Sea Otters
These adorable otters have gone from 1,700 individuals to over 2,700 due to protecting their habitat and rehabilitation efforts by places like the Monterey Bay Aquarium!
Hawaiian Goose
The state bird of Hawaii has gone from just 400 birds to several thousand due to captive breeding programs that reintroduce the birds in their habitats!
Gray Whale
These giants of the ocean are protected from hunting internationally and have seen their numbers grow under that protection. They now number in the 30,000s!
*Numbers from biologicaldiversity.org
We love sharing animal success stories! You can make a difference when it comes to helping endangered species. You can get involved with local and global conservation organizations. You can participate in a habitat clean up. You can recycle, reduce your trash and reuse items. You can take a trip to your local AZA accredited zoo or aquarium, all of which not only work with the animals they house, but with wild populations. Lastly, share your passion and love of animals with everyone you know!
Categories: adventure, Animals, Children, conservation, education, endangered species, Environment, nature, science, wildlife
Tags: adventure, animals, children, conservation, education, endangered species, environment, nature, science, wildlife
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ENDANGERED SPECIES WEEK DAY # 5
ENDANGERED SPECIES WEEK
DAY # 5
Today’s adventure takes us to South America to meet one gorgeous parrot. These beauties are endangered and we can’t imagine living in a world where these feathery friends aren’t around! Grab your gear, your binoculars and let’s go meet these big blue birds!
MEET THE HYACINTH MACAW!
Range/Habitat: Central South America/ rainforest
Diet: Herbivore: nuts, fruits
Length/Weight: 3 ¼ ft/ 3 lbs
Conservation Status: endangered
Fun Facts:
- Hyacinth Macaws are the largest member of the parrot family that can fly.
- They have bright blue feathers.
- Hyacinth macaws are very social.
- Hyacinth macaws have long tails.
- They have large curved beaks to help them crack open nuts.
Hyacinth macaws are one of our favorites. They are endangered mainly due to the pet trade. If you decide a pet parrot is right for your home, make sure you get one from a reputable breeder. Remember that parrots are very social and live a very long time, so they are very high maintenance and require a lot of care.
Categories: adventure, Animals, birds, Children, conservation, endangered species, Environment, nature, science, wildlife
Tags: adventure, animals, birds, children, conservation, education, endangered specie, environment, nature, science, wildlife
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Today’s Post
The Adventures of Ellie and Edmond 