Category Archives: Uncategorized

Happy Earth Day!

Thanks to the efforts of Senator Gaylord Nelson and the millions of Americans who participated in protests, demonstrations, and fundraisers Earth Day was born. The 1st Earth Day was April 22nd, 1970. The same year a flood of environmental legislation was passed and the EPA was created. In 1990 Earth Day went global with 141ContinueContinue reading “Happy Earth Day!”

Squirrels………..are pink?

Pink Bones!! That’s right, fox squirrels’ bones glow pink under ultraviolet light. This occurs because of a build up of a chemical compound called porphyrin. Eastern fox squirrels are the largest species of tree squirrels native to North America. They are common across the eastern United States, but are also found in southern parts ofContinueContinue reading “Squirrels………..are pink?”

Happy Turkey Day!

Wild Turkeys are native to North America. They have distinguishing characteristics such as large fanned tail feathers, a snood (flap of skin that hangs over their beaks) and a wattle (the flap of skin below their chins.)  Wild turkeys eat seeds, insects, and occasionally  a frog or lizard. Wild turkeys can fly for short distances. ContinueContinue reading “Happy Turkey Day!”

See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil

Japanese Macaques, also known as snow monkeys, are the most northern-living non-human primates on Earth. These monkeys are famous for bathing in hot springs surrounded by snow. They live in matrilineal family groups. This means that the females remain with the group that they were born into, and the daughters inherit their mother’s rank, whileContinueContinue reading “See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil”

Have you ever seen a fox in a tree?

Gray foxes are the only fox species that can climb trees. They climb up to 50 ft and jump from branch to branch. Like all foxes they are omnivores, they eat just about everything. They play an important role in the environment by controlling rodent populations.  Although they are not considered endangered, gray foxes’ habitatsContinueContinue reading “Have you ever seen a fox in a tree?”

Monkeys with caps

The Eastern Black Colobus Monkey. They can leap up to 25ft from tree to tree, using their long fur as a sort of parachute. The name “colobus” comes from the Greek word for mutilated, because their thumbs are just nubs.  They are hunted for their fur which is used to make hats and capes. TheyContinueContinue reading “Monkeys with caps”

Elk

Elk in Estes Park, Colorado. Elk also know by their Shawnee name Wapiti, meaning “white rump” are one of the largest members of the deer family. Although they weigh in at around 700 lbs, Elk are surprisingly fast. They can run up to 45 mph and have a vertical jump of 8 ft.