This is one of the toads that I found while we were hauling wood outside, one toad is female & the other is a male...
Sunday, May 26, 2013
A Beauty & a fighter
Here is the little handful! She has been through having to have ticks removed then she ended being sick for alittle while but she is back up & kicking, shes alittle over the size of my hand now-she's eating anything that gets put in her cage : alfalfa, seeds, grass, & she LOVES dandelions! but for a wild rabbit she is the most friendliest rabbit I have had in awhile!
She was definately the runt of the litter, we saw one of the other little ones outside and they are getting alot bigger than her, but so proud of her! She's a beauty!
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Rabbits
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Rabbits: Video footage : WEEK 8
RABBITS : WEEK 8 ...more footage two weeks after the last, they have grown so big! last footage was of week 6, Just in two weeks they have started getting fur on their tails. Vocals are alittle muffled but you can make them out okay it was taken with my cellular phone great footage though. Hope you enjoy!
NATURE & WILDLIFE PHOTOS
RED CARDINAL
REDBACK SALAMANDER
TREE CONSUMING ANOTHER TREE
MUSHROOM
WORM
BLUE SPOTTED SALAMANDER
These photos were shot by myself and my family during my training at HCNC to become an interpretive naturalist. Enjoy!
Friday, May 10, 2013
WILD UPDATE!
Habitat Restoration!
Here are some information for fellow Michigander's who are interested in reading up on habitat restoration, Habitat restoration is huge right now because so many animals in the wild are having their habitats taken away from them from either climate changes (global warming), Housing taking over forests, and many more reasons... Here are some links that have about different sorts of habitats such as praries,wetlands,grasslands,swamp,etc..
http://miwildlife.org/h-prairies.asp - History of Praries
http://miwildlife.org/h-wetlands.asp - Over a dozen reasons to restore wetland habitats
http://miwildlife.org/h-pge.asp - Establishment of Praries Grasses
older update about baby siamese crocs but if you haven't read it here it is!
Nineteen Baby Siamese Crocodiles Released in Lao PDR by Wildlife Conservation Society and Partners
Feb. 21, 2013 — The Wildlife Conservation Society announced today the successful release of 19 critically endangered baby Siamese crocodiles into a local wetland in Lao PDR, where they will be repatriated into the wild.
The 19-month-old hatchlings, approximately 70 cm (27 inches) in length, are part of a head-starting program where crocodiles are hatched at the Lao Zoo for eventual release into their native habitat.
Conservationists estimate that less than 250 Siamese crocodiles remain in the wild due to overhunting and habitat loss.
The release took place in the village of Than Soum in the Xe Champhone wetland complex in Savanakhet Province near where the eggs of the 19 crocodiles were found during wildlife surveys in 2011.
The hatchlings were transported from the Lao Zoo to a 'soft release' pen and will remain for several months to acclimate with the local area. Members of the Village Crocodile Conservation Group will guard the pen and provide supplementary feeding of the hatchlings to ensure their survival. Once the rainy season begins, the water level in the wetland will rise and allow the crocodiles to swim away, where they will be monitored periodically by conservationists.
A public ceremony will take place on March 6th in Than Soum where local community members will celebrate this collaborative effort with WCS, Government of Lao PDR, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Minmetals Resources Limited, and the Lao Zoo.
WCS Lao PDR Program designed and implemented the release as part of the Community-based Crocodile Recovery and Livelihood Improvement Project. The goal of the program is the recovery of the local Siamese crocodile population and restoration of associated wetlands, linked by socio-economic incentives that improve local livelihoods.
"We are extremely pleased with the success of this collaborative program and believe it is an important step in contributing to the conservation of the species by involving local communities in long term wetland management," said Alex McWilliam a conservation biologist with WCS's Lao PDR Program. "The head starting component of this integrated WCS program represents a significant contribution to the conservation of this magnificent animal in the wild."
Rick Watsford, General Manager, MMG Lane Xang Minerals Limited Sepon, said: "MMG is proud to support the work of the Government of Lao PDR and the WCS in relation to this program. This support demonstrates our company's commitment contributing positively to the communities in which we operate."
Joe Walston, WCS Executive Director for Asia Programs, said: "Successful conservation is about partnerships -- whether it's at the global level with climate change and wildlife trade or the local level with tigers and crocs -- the collective support of local communities, governments, and the private sector in Laos makes stories like this so encouraging."
Classified as Critically Endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, the Siamese crocodile grows up to 10 feet in length. The species has been eliminated from much of its former range through Southeast Asia and parts of Indonesia by overhunting and habitat degradation and loss.
In 2014, the head-starting component of the program will be taken on by local communities in the Xe Champhone wetland complex. WCS has already conducted training for this transition and implemented a trial program of rearing young crocodiles at Than Soum village.
Conservationists estimate that less than 250 Siamese crocodiles remain in the wild due to overhunting and habitat loss.
The release took place in the village of Than Soum in the Xe Champhone wetland complex in Savanakhet Province near where the eggs of the 19 crocodiles were found during wildlife surveys in 2011.
The hatchlings were transported from the Lao Zoo to a 'soft release' pen and will remain for several months to acclimate with the local area. Members of the Village Crocodile Conservation Group will guard the pen and provide supplementary feeding of the hatchlings to ensure their survival. Once the rainy season begins, the water level in the wetland will rise and allow the crocodiles to swim away, where they will be monitored periodically by conservationists.
A public ceremony will take place on March 6th in Than Soum where local community members will celebrate this collaborative effort with WCS, Government of Lao PDR, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Minmetals Resources Limited, and the Lao Zoo.
WCS Lao PDR Program designed and implemented the release as part of the Community-based Crocodile Recovery and Livelihood Improvement Project. The goal of the program is the recovery of the local Siamese crocodile population and restoration of associated wetlands, linked by socio-economic incentives that improve local livelihoods.
"We are extremely pleased with the success of this collaborative program and believe it is an important step in contributing to the conservation of the species by involving local communities in long term wetland management," said Alex McWilliam a conservation biologist with WCS's Lao PDR Program. "The head starting component of this integrated WCS program represents a significant contribution to the conservation of this magnificent animal in the wild."
Rick Watsford, General Manager, MMG Lane Xang Minerals Limited Sepon, said: "MMG is proud to support the work of the Government of Lao PDR and the WCS in relation to this program. This support demonstrates our company's commitment contributing positively to the communities in which we operate."
Joe Walston, WCS Executive Director for Asia Programs, said: "Successful conservation is about partnerships -- whether it's at the global level with climate change and wildlife trade or the local level with tigers and crocs -- the collective support of local communities, governments, and the private sector in Laos makes stories like this so encouraging."
Classified as Critically Endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, the Siamese crocodile grows up to 10 feet in length. The species has been eliminated from much of its former range through Southeast Asia and parts of Indonesia by overhunting and habitat degradation and loss.
In 2014, the head-starting component of the program will be taken on by local communities in the Xe Champhone wetland complex. WCS has already conducted training for this transition and implemented a trial program of rearing young crocodiles at Than Soum village.
The 19-month-old hatchlings, approximately 70 cm (27 inches) in length, are part of a head-starting program where crocodiles are hatched at the Lao Zoo for eventual release into their native habitat.
Conservationists estimate that less than 250 Siamese crocodiles remain in the wild due to overhunting and habitat loss.
The release took place in the village of Than Soum in the Xe Champhone wetland complex in Savanakhet Province near where the eggs of the 19 crocodiles were found during wildlife surveys in 2011.
The hatchlings were transported from the Lao Zoo to a 'soft release' pen and will remain for several months to acclimate with the local area. Members of the Village Crocodile Conservation Group will guard the pen and provide supplementary feeding of the hatchlings to ensure their survival. Once the rainy season begins, the water level in the wetland will rise and allow the crocodiles to swim away, where they will be monitored periodically by conservationists.
A public ceremony will take place on March 6th in Than Soum where local community members will celebrate this collaborative effort with WCS, Government of Lao PDR, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Minmetals Resources Limited, and the Lao Zoo.
WCS Lao PDR Program designed and implemented the release as part of the Community-based Crocodile Recovery and Livelihood Improvement Project. The goal of the program is the recovery of the local Siamese crocodile population and restoration of associated wetlands, linked by socio-economic incentives that improve local livelihoods.
"We are extremely pleased with the success of this collaborative program and believe it is an important step in contributing to the conservation of the species by involving local communities in long term wetland management," said Alex McWilliam a conservation biologist with WCS's Lao PDR Program. "The head starting component of this integrated WCS program represents a significant contribution to the conservation of this magnificent animal in the wild."
Rick Watsford, General Manager, MMG Lane Xang Minerals Limited Sepon, said: "MMG is proud to support the work of the Government of Lao PDR and the WCS in relation to this program. This support demonstrates our company's commitment contributing positively to the communities in which we operate."
Joe Walston, WCS Executive Director for Asia Programs, said: "Successful conservation is about partnerships -- whether it's at the global level with climate change and wildlife trade or the local level with tigers and crocs -- the collective support of local communities, governments, and the private sector in Laos makes stories like this so encouraging."
Classified as Critically Endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, the Siamese crocodile grows up to 10 feet in length. The species has been eliminated from much of its former range through Southeast Asia and parts of Indonesia by overhunting and habitat degradation and loss.
In 2014, the head-starting component of the program will be taken on by local communities in the Xe Champhone wetland complex. WCS has already conducted training for this transition and implemented a trial program of rearing young crocodiles at Than Soum village.
NORTHERN WATER SNAKES:
"I believe sustainable use is the greatest propaganda in wildlife conservation at the moment."
Conservationists estimate that less than 250 Siamese crocodiles remain in the wild due to overhunting and habitat loss.
The release took place in the village of Than Soum in the Xe Champhone wetland complex in Savanakhet Province near where the eggs of the 19 crocodiles were found during wildlife surveys in 2011.
The hatchlings were transported from the Lao Zoo to a 'soft release' pen and will remain for several months to acclimate with the local area. Members of the Village Crocodile Conservation Group will guard the pen and provide supplementary feeding of the hatchlings to ensure their survival. Once the rainy season begins, the water level in the wetland will rise and allow the crocodiles to swim away, where they will be monitored periodically by conservationists.
A public ceremony will take place on March 6th in Than Soum where local community members will celebrate this collaborative effort with WCS, Government of Lao PDR, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Minmetals Resources Limited, and the Lao Zoo.
WCS Lao PDR Program designed and implemented the release as part of the Community-based Crocodile Recovery and Livelihood Improvement Project. The goal of the program is the recovery of the local Siamese crocodile population and restoration of associated wetlands, linked by socio-economic incentives that improve local livelihoods.
"We are extremely pleased with the success of this collaborative program and believe it is an important step in contributing to the conservation of the species by involving local communities in long term wetland management," said Alex McWilliam a conservation biologist with WCS's Lao PDR Program. "The head starting component of this integrated WCS program represents a significant contribution to the conservation of this magnificent animal in the wild."
Rick Watsford, General Manager, MMG Lane Xang Minerals Limited Sepon, said: "MMG is proud to support the work of the Government of Lao PDR and the WCS in relation to this program. This support demonstrates our company's commitment contributing positively to the communities in which we operate."
Joe Walston, WCS Executive Director for Asia Programs, said: "Successful conservation is about partnerships -- whether it's at the global level with climate change and wildlife trade or the local level with tigers and crocs -- the collective support of local communities, governments, and the private sector in Laos makes stories like this so encouraging."
Classified as Critically Endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, the Siamese crocodile grows up to 10 feet in length. The species has been eliminated from much of its former range through Southeast Asia and parts of Indonesia by overhunting and habitat degradation and loss.
In 2014, the head-starting component of the program will be taken on by local communities in the Xe Champhone wetland complex. WCS has already conducted training for this transition and implemented a trial program of rearing young crocodiles at Than Soum village.
NORTHERN WATER SNAKES:
I have had the experience of spotting quite a few of these the past couple of weeks during my training at the nature center and honestly they are such beautiful creatures, they may not be venomous but you sure don't want to go all Irwin and jump at this one! The Northern Water Snake has anti-coagulant in its spit actually that if you grab them and they turn around and bite you, you will continue to bleed and it will not stop for a very long time. These snakes use anti-coagulant on their prey so that they will more than likely bleed to death before they feed on them. Snakes have a sort of glasses they have over their eyes to see and they never blink, they have no ears but feel vibrations underneath its long, slithering stomach and head that they are able to find their way around their habitat and find prey.
Their tongues flick which I think honestly freaks people out the most! but they use that tongue flicking to sense their food and their surroundings to see if they will be in for a feast or be defending themselves from a predator.
So many children and even adults are so frightened by snakes and I just think they are one of the most beautiful creatures!
SAYING NO TO WILDLIFE PRODUCTS!
HOW is killing a crocodile to make croc-skin boots and selling them sustainable in any way? They sell souveneirs to support a cause that is for saving our environment but in the same way are promoting such ignorance to the situations around us.
I have not understood it for years since it became so popular. I have read up on it over the years and it just begins to disgust me more and more by how many people fall for a bargained mind set that this is perfectly fine.
We are supposed to set an example for future generations on animals and keeping the environment working and flowing together the right way so we can all live in an healthy environment that will continue to grow. If you have animals going extinct because of hunting and poaching to use for purses,necklaces,bracelets,boots, etc. the environment will not rotate and stay healthy we NEED animals in the wild to support the trees,oceans, and soil.
Anything can become extinct and as long as that species is "in trend" and popular it will continue to be made, causing more and more of the population to spiral down closer and closer to extinction. The only reason cheetahs have made it so long is because real cheetah print went out of style, Now I'm not talking about walmart brand zebra printed shoes that are not real, but places who are using real live fur & skin for wear that will someday end up at a goodwill somewhere or in a dumpster because it's not Fall's style trend.
If you would like to help-Recycle, Recycle your papers, plastics, etc. food; put it in a compost! Take cloth bags to the store instead of using plastic or paper, they only cost about 0.25 cents a bag at the store, If you have children there are so many crafts that you can use, I have recently started using lunchables for my sisters to hold their paints when they want to paint. and all you have to do is wash it out after their done! and reuse it again, it even holds the water so you don't have to dirty a cup.
Plant trees instead of cutting them down. Leave wildlife where it is at because if you disrupt it's peace it continues to have to adapt to a new habitat and it can't always adapt and usually results in death for the animal and if you are uneducated about that species and if they are near endangerment you could be pushing it further towards extinction depending on the location and species. I think people would really be able to find cool and trendy fun ways of helping the environment if they really started to put thought into it and research more, Researching is always good and always helps you feel alittle more like you can make a difference.
This is a HUGE world but it is always filled with BILLIONS of people who could change and help our environment, make the air alittle cleaner and the environments that these habitats are a little more safe for what is living inside of them.
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Baby Rabbits & Footage!
My family & I were in our backyard and we came across this hole, well whatever was under the fuzz covering the hole was moving so I ofcourse was curious if it were a snake, mole, rat, whatever it was I wanted to see what it was so I used a stick and slowly moved the fuzz out of the way so the head of whatever it was could come up alittle, It was a baby bunny well, about seven of them! and who knows how many more there was further down in the nest.
They are about six weeks old, no fur on their tails, tiny ears.
But I did not touch them once or move them in any way but I took footage for you guys to check out for yourself to get an idea, The rabbits kept burrowing down further because of the light and they still had their eyes closed so they definately are not very far along!
Some information about Rabbits I can tell you is they are small mammals, family Leporidae and at this age they reingest their own pellets, A mother rabbit is called a Doe, males are Bucks and babies like these are called Kits or Kittens.
Alot of people think at this age when they don't see a mother around it is up to them to take in these "abandoned" animals and take care of them, very rarely do they survive when you take them out of the care of their mother, their mothers are not going to be by them every second so they are not abandoned but they are waiting for their mother to return. I always grew up by the rule that you do not touch a "baby" animal because your scent will stay on them and the mother will refuse them. Alot of people say this is not true but do you really want to take the chance?
This is the footage I took today, I hope you all enjoy and more updates will come soon!
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