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?”
Tag Archives: wildlife education
A Reptile Like No Other
Prehensile-tailed skinks are very unique reptiles. They are the longest species of skinks reaching up to 32 inches in length. As their name suggests they have a prehensile tail, meaning they can grip objects with their tail. This is useful for these skinks since they are arboreal (live in the trees). They are native toContinueContinue reading “A Reptile Like No Other”
Oryx in the US…?
Yes. There are wild oryxes (gemsbok) in the U.S.A. No, they are not a native species. They are native to Africa. In the 1970s the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish wanted to increase “large game” opportunities for hunters. So they intentionally released 95 oryxes into New Mexico’s White Sands Missile Range. An AbundanceContinueContinue reading “Oryx in the US…?”
A Whistling Duck
Fulvous whistling ducks live across 4 continents, including North and South America, Africa, and Asia. They are often found in marshes and rice fields. They forage by straining the mud for seeds and plant material. Unlike most ducks, fulvous whistling ducks mate for life. Both the male and female take turns incubating the eggs andContinueContinue reading “A Whistling Duck”
Golden-headed lion tamarin
ENDANGERED! The golden-headed lion tamarin, named for their long golden fur that looks like a lion’s mane. Their small claw like nails help them climb through the trees and grab small insects. Due to habitat destruction and fragmentation they only live in a small part of Brazil. It is estimated that a mere 2-5% ofContinueContinue reading “Golden-headed lion tamarin”
The smallest crocodilians
Dwarf caimans are the smallest members of the crocodilian family. Adults are on average 4-6ft long. They are native to South America. Even though they are classified as least concern on the IUCN’s red list, dwarf caimans still face several threats to their survival. Including habitat destruction, pollution, and the illegal pet trade. Dwarf caimans haveContinueContinue reading “The smallest crocodilians”
The worlds largest bird
You guessed it…The Ostrich These birds are not just big, they are powerful. The ostriches’ main defense is its legs. They can run up to 43 mph (70 kph). When running isn’t an option, ostriches use their foot equipped with a 4-inch long claw. A single kick from an ostrich can kill a lion. OstrichesContinueContinue reading “The worlds largest bird”
What is the Buzz?
…..Bees… Bees are extremely important pollinators. They are a vital part of our ecosystems, without them the human population would plumate. About ⅓ of the world’s food production depends on bees to pollinate the crops. Although honeybees are not endangered other bees are. On the IUCN Red list 16 bee species are listed as vulnerable,ContinueContinue reading “What is the Buzz?”
The elephant’s closest living land relative is ….
….The hyrax Hyraxes may look like rodents but they are actually cousins of the elephant. Elephants, hyraxes, dugongs, and manatees all share a common ancestor. There are several unique physical characteristics that hyraxes and elephants share. Both have tusks formed from their incisors, instead of their canines like other tusked animals. Both have flattened, hoof-likeContinueContinue reading “The elephant’s closest living land relative is ….”
Flaming Flamingos
The name “flamingo” comes from Portuguese or Spanish flamengo, meaning “flame-colored” The pink or reddish color of flamingos comes from carotenoids found in the shrimp, plankton, algae and crustaceans they eat. Flamingos have a unique way of eating…upside down. They plunge their head underwater and use their bills like a shovel to scoop up food.ContinueContinue reading “Flaming Flamingos”
Eye of the Wild Photography 