2H Class Blog!: Wildlife Encounters!!

Yesterday, the entire second grade was treated to a very special treat! Krista Butts, of Wildlife Encounters, brought with her several animal friends that each contribute to our Earth's substrate.

The first animal Krista introduced us to was Monster, the ARGENTINIAN BLACK & WHITE TEGU. Native to South America, this male has a bone-crushing jaw (although we quickly learned Monster was just a big cuddle-bug!). As tegus have this incredibly powerful jaw, they are able to eat mollusks with the shell and all! The shell is filled with nutrients, so when their meal comes out the other end, all those nutrients are given right to the soil.

Monster kept sticking his tongue out---his way of smelling us!

After being rescued by Wildlife Encounters, Monster is very appreciative of his new, spoiled lifestyle.

After learning about Monster, Krista brought out Butch, a MADAGASCAR GROUND BOA CONSTRICTOR. This type of constrictor dwells in the ground. They make extremely long, but small in diameter, tunnels which allows water, bugs, and worms to travel deep down into the soil. Krista also taught us the snakes have a very small brain. That means they act only out of instinct (they'd have to with only a 7 minute memory!). While snakes are not mean, you should always act as if they're dangerous. She warned us to never put a snake around our neck. I think we can all agree to listen to that warning!

Butch is a feisty little fellow---during the presentation he wrapped his tail through Krista's belt loop!

The 2nd graders celebrating a birthday over Thanksgiving break got to help show how long Butch is. Way to be brave, Michael!!

Once Butch was put back in his cage, Krista brought out a rather vocal friend. Syd, a SALMON CRESTED COCKATOO. Syd has the important job of helping the rain forest grow. Syd is native to the Malacca Islands (near Indonesia). These islands are quickly disappearing as humans have chopped down the trees, causing the soil to wash away. Syd is the only living thing helping the island. By eating seeds, nuts, berries, and plants, and then flying to a new location, he is able to deposit the seeds directly into the ground, allowing trees to regrow on the island. Unfortunately, this beautiful, helpful species, is listed as critically endangered due to loss of habitat.

Syd ruffled up his feathers for us (we think he was showing off!)

Syd was having SO much fun at SMS, he didn't want to go back in his cage!

Even though Syd did not want to return to his cage (who can blame him!), the show had to go on. Krista placed him in the corner and brought out the next animal: Daffy, a FLEMISH GIANT RABBIT. This big boy looked huge (23 pounds to be exact!), so it was hard to believe he is less than a year old! He is a member of the largest breed of bunnies in the world. Rabbits dig, aerate, and compost the soil. They "plant" their babies in the soil to protect them while the mother goes in search of food. She covers the hole with leaves and grass. Krista warned, if we see leaves rustling in the spring time, leave it alone! There are probably baby animals waiting for their mother to return.

Up next was the fastest of the group. Second graders were asked to be very quiet, as this animal gets quite nervous. Nibbles, the PATAGONIA CAVY, is the third largest rodent in the world. He's in the guinea pig family and looks like a guinea pig with legs! This animal rears its young in burrows deep within the soil. They're constantly giving back to the soil as they raise their young! Nibbles is a herbivore and Krista taught us a clever way to help identify herbivores vs. carnivores or omnivores: "Eyes on the side, this animal likes to hide; eyes on the front, this animal likes to hunt." With eyes on the side, the Patagonia Cavy likes to stay hidden and munch on plants and leaves.

Krista kept Nibbles on a leash---he can run up to 45mph if he gets loose!

This handsome boy is about 3 years old.

Following the fastest of the bunch, our last animal visitor was the slowest of the group. Rex, the SULCATA TORTOISE, is extremely important to our soil ecosystem. They are one of only a few species of animals that can excavate burrows thanks to their specialized claws. Rex, in one night, could dig a hole deep enough to allow three teachers to stand on each others shoulders! Whoa!

After learning all of this fascinating information, Krista allowed students to use a "two-finger touch" to pet the tegu, tortois, boa constrictor, and rabbit. So fun!