HAPPY YEAR OF THE HORSE!!!
Come color your very own Edmond and share your artwork with us!!!
Posts Tagged With: wildlife
HAPPY YEAR OF THE HORSE!!!
Categories: adventure, Animals, Children, conservation, crafts, education, Environment, horses, mammals, nature, science, wildlife
Tags: adventure, animals, children, conservation, crafts, education, environment, nature, science, wildlife
Leave a comment
Year of the Horse- PRZEWALSKI’S HORSE
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.
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)
- 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!!
-Edmond
Categories: adventure, Animals, Children, conservation, education, Environment, horses, mammals, nature, science, wildlife
Tags: adventure, animals, children, conservation, education, environment, mammals, nature, science, wildlife
Leave a comment
GUESS THE ANIMAL
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?
- 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: adventure, animals, children, conservation, education, environment, nature, science, wildlife
2 Comments
Year of the Horse- Grevy’s Zebra
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.
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 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.
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
YEAR OF THE HORSE!!
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!
- My earliest relatives were around 45-55 million years ago.
- 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!
- 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!
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: adventure, animals, children, conservation, education, environment, horses, nature, science, wildlife
2 Comments
Science Word of the Week!
Science Word of the Week with Professor Tamandua!
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!
Categories: adventure, Animals, Children, conservation, education, Environment, nature, science, wildlife
Tags: adventure, animals, children, conservation, education, environment, nature, science, wildlife
2 Comments
Day 13- Back home to meet a local bird…
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!
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)
- 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.
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: adventure, animals, birds, children, conservation, education, environment, nature, science, wildlife
Leave a comment
Day 12- Guess the Animal
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!
- 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: adventure, animals, children, conservation, education, environment, fish, nature, oceans, science, wildlife
Leave a comment
Day 11- Back on the road
Day #11 (1/22/2014) Back on the road(and in the ocean)
We had a great weekend and really enjoyed celebrating Penguin Appreciation Day and Squirrel Appreciation Day! We spent the evening before deciding where we wanted to go this short week. We haven’t taken out the submarine in while, so we made the decision to do looking for a crazy looking fish! Packing up a submarine can be tricky, but luckily we have a great support staff. It’s always exciting to get lowered in to the water and find amazing species! Today’s fish is especially crazy! It’s the Barreleye!
Their range and habitat: tropical-subtropical oceans/ worldwide
Their length: up to 4 ¼” Their status: common
They are carnivores
- Barreleyes have upward facing and barrel shaped eyes.
- They have spineless dorsal fin.
- They have a light reflecting organ that makes the barreleye practically invisible from the underside.
- Barreleyes are found in deep waters; as deep as 80m.
- Barreleyes are toothless.
You never known what two explorers will find when they go looking the oceans great depths. We know so little about the creatures that live in the largest habitat on earth. Ellie has a bit of claustrophobia, so after a few hours in the sub she is ready to come back to the surface. I myself could stay in there for hours and hours! Tomorrow is Guess the Animal and it’s one we spotted on our way back up to the surface!
-Edmond
SQUIRREL APPRECIATION DAY!!
SQUIRREL APPRECIATION DAY!!
Who loves squirrels? We love squirrels!! These great little rodents are some of the best tree planters around! When squirrels stash their seeds and nuts for the winter, they often forget some and those seeds and nuts can grow into trees!
So if you love trees (and who doesn’t) then thank a squirrel! And enjoy our squirrel coloring sheet!
Today’s Post
The Adventures of Ellie and Edmond 