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WILDVILLE – FEBRUARY 2020

Animals and How They Prewarn Us of Extreme Weather Without things like satellites and radar forecasting natural disasters is difficult at best. Earthquakes and tsunamis seem to come out of nowhere, catching people unaware. It is different for animals, though. There are many stories of animals sensing bad weather and other disasters before humans do. For example, elephants in Indonesia are known to move to higher ground before an earthquake and the tsunami that comes after the earthquake. It’s not just animals on land that seem to know that danger is coming. e tags on sharks that record where they swim have shown that they will dive into deeper water to avoid dangerous hurricanes and storms. These animals are so accurate that some people claim that animals have a sixth sense, but scientists have a different explanation. Animals don’t have an extra sense that humans don’t, but they do have more sensitive hearing. Animals can detect infrasound. Infrasound is sound at a frequency below what humans can hear. Humans can hear between 20 Hertz and 20,000 Kilohertz. Things like earthquakes, tsunamis, storms and meteors can produce infrasound that animals pick up before humans. Scientists think that animals hear the infrasound and then use that information to protect themselves — like the elephants that head to higher ground. Sometimes animals may hear these sounds and act strangely, but not know what is happening. It’s a little different for animals in the water, but they can sense changes that predict bad weather, too. They can feel the pressure change in the water. Trying to understand animal behavior is complicated and it takes years of careful research. The family dog acting a little strange doesn’t mean that an earthquake is coming. However, animals can tell us important information. Their senses are different than ours and they can detect little changes that humans might miss. These behaviors are still not completely understood, but many scientists hope that watching animals can help humans predict when danger is coming. For more information, visit the following sites: Science ABC PBS.org Mental Floss

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WILDVILLE | MARCH 2018

The Great Blue Heron The great blue heron is the largest and most common heron in North America. They are generally between three and four feet tall with a wingspan of six feet. Even though they are a large bird, they only weigh five or six pounds because they have hollow bones. Most birds have hollow bones, as this makes them to be light enough to fly. The great blue herons are named after the blue-grey feathers that cover most of their bodies. It stands out against their yellow bills and rust-red thighs. They also have a black streak that runs down their head. These unique and beautiful birds are not currently endangered, but their populations are threatened because wetlands are being developed. Great blue herons are adaptable. They live all over North America because they can survive almost anywhere there is a body of water. Common areas to find them are marshes, rivers, lakes, saltwater shores and ponds. They migrate during the winter and summer. In the winter, they migrate to Mexico and in the summer, they can be found in Canada. They eat salamanders, snakes, shrimp, crabs, crayfish, grasshoppers, dragon flies, small mammals and frogs. Herons hunt by standing still in the water. As its prey swims by, the heron quickly grabs it in its strong beak. Their unique necks let them strike prey that is at a distance. They hunt during the day and night. They nest in large groups called colonies. A popular nesting place is the Florida Everglades and Lake Okeechobee, which is also in Florida. The average blue heron nest has between three and six eggs. The oldest heron on record was 24 years and 6 months old. Herons are usually solitary when they are not nesting. In Florida, there is a white version of the bird called the great white heron. To learn more visit the sites www.allaboutbirds.org www.nhptv.org www.sms.si.edu

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Wildville February 2018

Snowy Owl The snowy owl is a unique animal native to the Arctic regions. One of the bird’s most striking features is important for its survival in the snowy habitat. The male owls have almost entirely white feathers. Older males are usually whiter. The female owls are usually darker and have white feathers covered in black or dark brown spots. Even their large talons are covered by white feathers. In addition to making it hard for their prey to see them coming, the feathers repel moisture and keep the owl warm in such a cold environment. If the winters get too harsh and there is not enough prey, the owls migrate to warmer areas south of the Arctic Circle. They have seen as far south as Oklahoma and Northern Alabama, though this is not a normal occurrence every year. Snowy owls are one of the largest owls, and they are the largest bird species in the Arctic. Females usually weigh about 3 1/2 pounds. Males are lighter and weigh closer to 3 pounds. They have yellow eyes. The average wingspan is almost 67 inches. Most owls are nocturnal, but the snowy owl is dinural, which means they are most active during the day. They are most active at dawn and dusk. They are carnivorous. Their diet is mainly mice and lemmings, but they will also eat rabbits, seabirds and fish. One owl can kill 1,600 lemmings in a year. Because lemmings are a major part of the owl’s diet, the owl population depends on how many lemmings there are in an area. Foxes, dogs, wolves and other large birds prey on the snowy owl. Humans are also dangerous. Snowy owls usually fly close to the ground, so many have died in accidents such as by being hit by a car, tangled in a fishing line or being accidentally shot by a hunter. Snowy owls are protected as an endangered bird. Like other owls, they have excellent eyesight. However, if their prey is under the snow, the owls have to rely on their incredible sense of hearing to hunt. The average lifespan of a snowy owl is 9 years. For more info visit these sites National Geographic BioKids Tundra Animals

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Wildville – Puerto Rican Parrot

The Puerto Rican parrot is a beautiful bird native to the islands of Puerto Rico. They are medium sized parrots and absolutely gorgeous birds. Most of their feathers are shades of emerald green with bright blue undersides. Their foreheads are a bright red, and they have white rings around their dark eyes. In 1968, the Puerto Rican parrot was in grave danger. There were only about 24 left in the wild. It was one of the 10 most rare birds in the world. Scientists and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services decided to work together to save the beautiful birds and started the Puerto Rican Parrot Recovery Program. By 1994, the population had increased to around 39, but today the odds are looking even better. e captive populations are growing. There are currently approximately 200 of these birds in captivity. The wild population has also increased to around 100. • It is also called the Puerto Rican amazon or Iguaca. • It is the only bird native to the islands. • The birds eat flowers, fruit, leaves, bark and nectar. • They are usually around 11 inches long and weigh around 250 grams. • The species became endangered because the forests in which they live were destroyed for farming sugar cane, cotton, corn and rice. • Many farmers hunted the bird. • They nest in cavities, usually ones that form naturally in trees. • Many now nest in boxes made especially for them. These boxes are safer than trees and can help to replace the parrots’ habitat. • The nesting boxes are between 23 and 49 feet above ground. • The natural predator of the parrot are birds of prey like the red-tailed hawk and the peregrine falcon. • Rats and Indian mongooses have also been known to eat the parrots’ eggs. • Now, because there are so few trees on the island, hurricanes are also dangerous for the parrot populations because the storms can destroy their nests. • These parrots can only be found on the Puerto Rican islands. For more information visit the following sites: Endangered Puerto Rican Parrot Parrots.org.

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Wildville – Dog Breeds

DOG BREEDS Like people, animals are different, too. For example, there are so many different breeds of dogs in the world that sometimes it can be hard to believe they are the same species. They can have different physical traits that are obvious to see like size, color, hair type and shape. They can also have very different personalities. These different traits are used to define dog breeds. Breeds are groups of dogs that have the same traits because of their genetic makeup. Unfortunately, sometimes specific breeds can come with bad traits, too. It is common for German shepherds to have hip dysplasia, which can be very painful as the dogs get older. ere are also mixed breeds, o en referred to as mutts. These dogs don’t t into a specific breed. The American Kennel Club recognizes 167 dog breeds. The eight American Kennel Club groups of dog breeds are sporting, hound, working, Terrier, toy, non-sporting, herding and miscellaneous. Dogs can vary in size from over 150 pounds to just two pounds. Many of the animals in animal shelters are purebred. The most popular breeds in the U.S. are: Labrador retriever, golden retriever, German shepherd, beagle and dachshund. All dogs are descended from wolves. The most popular breed in the world is the Labrador retriever. In the Middle Ages, Great Danes and mastiffs were sometimes used to help defend supplies in battle. Some even got their own armor. It is the differences in breeds that make dogs so special. O en these differences were chosen very specifically by the people breeding the dogs. For example, the Newfoundland breed has webbed feet and water-resistant hair. is makes them excellent at the job they were meant for: helping fisherman bring in their nets and saving drowning people. Collies are known for their intelligence and obedience, which is perfect for their job of herding animals like sheep. It is all these different traits and diversity that make dogs so useful, fun and interesting. Every dog is an individual, but considering the breed can be an important part of choosing a new pet.

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Wildville – Dog Breeds

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Mules That Hauled Canons In The War

A mule is known as a hybrid, which is a fancy way of saying an animal or plant produced from two animals or plants of different kinds. A mule is a mix between a male donkey and a female horse. Mules have been bred by humans for centuries because mules are stronger than horses and have more endurance than donkeys. These attributes make them perfect for doing hard work. Ancient Egyptians used mules to pull wagons. Mules are also important to the development of the United States. The animals hauled heavy loads for a variety of reasons. Some helped with the westward expansion as America grew and even more assisted soldiers in battles. During the Civil War, mules hauled artillery and supplies. In World War II, mules carried food and other supplies to soldiers in terrain vehicles couldn’t cross. They even carried wounded soldiers to safety. Mules stayed useful to the U.S. Army far longer than horses did. The last time mules were used by the military was in the 1980s in Afghanistan, and it was to move around in the harsh mountainous environment. These animals are known to be intelligent and agile, and they have incredible stamina. This is what makes them so valuable. Interesting Facts About Mules! • On wagon trains, mules can cover more than 30 miles a day. • Horses and oxen can only cover five miles a day. • The Union army used about 1 million mules. • Mules in World War I hauled wagons that weighed 2,000 pounds and were loaded with 3,000 pounds of cargo. • Mules were also used to build roads, railways andtelephone lines. • Teams of mules pulled the first jet engine in the U.S. space program to the testing site. • Mules eat a third less than horses. • George Washington brought mules to America. • Mules need less direction from drivers than horses do. • The Marine Corps Mountain Training Center still provides U.S. military pack animal training. • Mules are also known for sensing ambushes before soldiers do. • Mules move slowly along bad terrain, but they can cover worse terrain than any other pack animal and many vehicles.

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Wildville – Service Animals

Animals can do a lot more than look adorable. They also have very important jobs helping people live their lives. Animals that are trained to help people are called service animals. There are several types of service animals. Service dogs are trained to help people with physical disabilities, like helping blind people walk safely around the city. Emotional support animals are trained to help those with mental health disabilities. The animals provide emotional support that i important for the owner’s mental health. A therapy animal is also trained to assist with mental health and emotional support. They often visit hospitals and nursing homes to help make people happier. In the United States the first official jobs that dogs had were with police and military units detecting danger and helping stop criminals. Dogs have been working with humans for centuries doing things like guarding homes, animals and herding sheep. The first dog guide school opened in the United States in 1929. Service animals are allowed in many places that regular pets cannot go.It is very important not to distract a service animal while they are working. Dogs are the most common type of service animal, but other animals like miniature horses can be trained, too. Training a dog to be a service dog can cost around $24,500. Golden Retrievers and Labradors are the most commonly used breeds, but any breed can work if the dog has the right personality. Being a service dog isn’t easy. It takes a lot of hard work from both trainers and the animals. The training process usually takes one to two years. It begins by just teaching the dog how to behave in public spaces through commands like stay, wait, sit, come, leave it and heel. Only dogs that behave very well in public can be used as service animals. The second step is training them in tasks that are specific to the disabilities that they will be working with like to warn the owner that a seizure is coming. For more information, visit the following sites: http://www.facts-about-dogs.info/Service_Dog_Facts.html, http://www.serviceanimalassociation.org/service-dog-facts/ & http://victimsofcrime.org/docs/nat-conf-2013/history-of-service-dogs_fossum.pdf?sfvrsn=2

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Deathstalker Scorpions

Deathstalker scorpions are an ancient and dangerous species of arachnids. They have been able to survive as a species for so long because they are successful and efficient hunters. Their ability to survive is important because their natural habitat is in the deserts like the Sahara Desert. To avoid the incredible heat of the day, the deathstalker is nocturnal. They spend their days in burrows below rocks. Digging into the sand keeps them out of the harsh rays of the sun until the sun sets and they can begin to hunt beetles, flies and termites. • Scorpions have been on Earth for 400 millions years. • The deathstalker scorpion is one of the most poisonous in the world. • Despite the poison, it is hunted by owls. • They can grow up to 4.5 inches. • This is smaller than many scorpions. • Females are usually larger. • They are usually yellow like the sand in which they live. • They can also be a yellowish-green. • The tips of their pincers and stingers can be much darker. • They usually live between two and six years. • The deathstalker is also known as the Palestine yellow scorpion, Israeli desert scorpion and the Omdurman scorpion. • Scorpions can have up to 30 babies at a time. • After birth, the babies spend a few weeks living on the back of the mother. • They use both their pincers and stingers to capture prey. • Many scorpions can just use their strong pincers, but the deathstalker’s large pincers are weak. All scorpions are venomous, but their stings are seldom more to a human something like a bee sting. However, there are a few species whose sting can result in serious medical problems, even death. Like the name suggests, the deathstalker is one of these few very dangerous ones. The deathstalker’s poison is a mix of neurotoxins that can lead to coma, fever, paralysis, convulsions and death, if it is not treated. They are also a very aggressive scorpion and will lash out with little reason. The poison from their sting is dangerous, but very few people have died after an encounter with the scorpion, thanks to modern medicine. Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Subphylum: Chelicerata Class: Arachnida Order: Scorpiones Family: Buthidae Genus: Leiurus Species: L. quinquestriatus For more information visit the following sites: http://www.scorpionworlds.com/deathstalker-scorpion/, https://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/s2014/obrien_kev2/habitat.htm, http://www.buzzle.com/articles/deathstalker-scorpion-facts.htmlhttp://www.scorpionworlds.com/

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Resplendent Quetzal

The resplendent quetzal is the national bird of Guatemala. It is also considered one of the most beautiful birds in the world. Both the male and the female are brightly colored. The male has a ruby red breast and an emerald green back and head and a long tail. The female has a brown or gray chest and a darker green head. Her back is a bright iridescent green — a little darker than the male. They can vary in color from green to a bluish purple. • It is on the flag and the coat of arms of Guatemala. • Quetzal is also the name of the local currency. • Quetzal is the Aztec word for “tall upstanding plume.” • They are smaller birds, only 14-16 inches long. • The large tail of the male can grow up to three feet long, which is much longer than their bodies. • They are not very strong flyers. • Their diet is usually fruit like wild avocados, but they also eat insects, frogs and lizards. • They usually live alone. • The female lays her eggs in rotting trees. • She lays two or three eggs at a time. • The male and female take turns caring for the eggs. • It is difficult to determine the conservation needs of this bird because they are solitary and difficult to count. • Poaching and habitat destruction are threats to the resplendent quetzal. • They only live in the mountainous forests of Central America. Kingdom: Animalia Phylum:Chordata Class: Aves Order: Trogoniformes Family:Trogonidae Genus: Pharomachrus Species: P. mocinno The quetzal was very important in ancient Mesoamerican civilizations like the Aztec and Mayan cultures. The green feathers were symbols of growth, wealth and freedom. The birds were thought to be the gods of the air. They were so important that they were illegal to kill or to keep captive. Rulers and nobility would capture the birds, take a few feathers for their headdresses and then let the birds go. Wearing the feathers would connect the rulers to the bird. For more information visit: http://neotropical.birds.cornell.edu/portal/species/overview?p_p_spp=284856, http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/quetzal/, http://www.rainforestanimals.net/rainforestanimal/resplendentquetzal.html

Category - Wildville

WILDVILLE – FEBRUARY 2020

WILDVILLE | MARCH 2018

Wildville February 2018

Wildville – Puerto Rican Parrot

Wildville – Dog Breeds

Wildville – Dog Breeds

Mules That Hauled Canons In The War

Wildville – Service Animals

Deathstalker Scorpions

Resplendent Quetzal

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