Special on Amphibians: The Red-eyed Tree Frog

Also known as the Red-eyed Leaf Frog, the Red-eyed Tree frog is a carnivorous amphibian, living about 5 years in the wild. A group of them is called an army. They are found in the tropical lowlands from southern Mexico, throughout Central America, and in northern South America. They like the rain forest canopy.They eat crickets, flies, and moths using their long, sticky tongues. These cute frogs are not endangered, but their habitat is shrinking at a very fast rate.


Fast Facts:
A group is called an Army
Found in the tropical lowlands of southern Mexico,
throughout Central America, and in Northern south America.
They eat crickets, flies, and moths.










National Geographic. “Red-Eyed tree Frogs.” National Geographic. 2009. 16 Dec 2009.
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/amphibians/red-eyed-tree-frog.html

Random Fact of the Day

Meerkats are also called Suricates

Save the Polar Bears

Save the Polar Bears, go to http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2167/t/5243/tellafriend.jsp?tell_a_friend_KEY=6024

We're Celebrating, They're Dieing

While we celebrate the winter's various holidays, the animals that are hibernating are getting unexpected wake up calls due to global warming. While the animals hibernate, they are conserving their energy. Say a Polar Bear is hunting for food. Food is scarce, so he just goes to sleep to conserve his energy of hunger. If he gets waken up unexpectedly, this abnormal activity can make him loose his energy, and he will die. This can do horrible things to the environment.





(information from National Geographic)
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/02/070202-groundhog.html

Green Gal's Question: Does a hippo have fat for protection or warmth?

If you think about the habits of a hippo, you will realize that they spend all day in the water. A hippo's fat is there to make sure the water can't absorb his heat. There are also oily creases in a hippo's skin to protect him from the harmful sun.










Picture from American Wildlife Foundation. 2009. 7 Dec 2009

Animal of the Month: The Platypus

The Platypus is a very odd animal. It is venomous and sort of a mix between a beaver, a duck, and an otter. It has otter-like feet, a duck-like bill, and a beaver-like tail. Male platypuses have a pouch on their foot that can shoot venom, which is very painful to humans.

Platypuses are responsible for the belief in mermaids.(1) Sailors saw these strange creatures, thinking they were half fish, half women. With the weird animals, and the possibility of drunk sailors, the belief of the mermaid is now throughout the world.

The Facts:
The platypus weighs about 3 lbs, and lives off the coasts of Tasmania and Australia. Their lifespan is generally 12 years.



Resources (MLA citations)
National Geographic. “Platypus” National Geographic Society 2009. 6 Dec 2009
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/platypus.html

(1) Animal Planet. “Platypus” Animal Planet 2009. 6 Dec 2009 http://animal.discovery.com/mammals/platypus/

The Endangered Manatee

Wait, wait, wait, hold the phone. Some Background info, please.
First, before we get into them being endangered, let's get some background information. There are different subspecies of manatees. They all resemble the same blubbery figure with two flippers and a beaver-like tail. They swim in deep rivers and the sea shores. Manatees are herbivores, or plant-eating. It is also in the same family as the cow.






Ok, why are they endangered?

Motor boats scrape the backs of manatees. Us humans are the reason for their dying. Hunters kill them for meat, oil, and blubber. The U.S. Government in trying to save the manatees. The governor of Florida approved November as Manatee Awareness Month. In Florida, (and anywhere else where manatees live) boaters can get their motor taken off of their boat, or just kayak. They can also get signs to promote awareness about manatees.





Save the Manatee Club. 2009. Save the Manatee Club
22, Nov 2009 http://www.savethemanatee.org/