FEBRUARY 12, 2022

YOUR WEEKLY DOSE OF WOWZERS AND WONDER FROM THE NATURAL WORLD

This week’s slippery subject has lived on planet Earth for an estimated 340 million years!

Their unique body and interesting eating habits make them very different from what you might typically think of when you hear the word fish.

Prepare to get prehistoric as we explore the world of lampreys!

At a glance, you might think that lampreys are a type of eel or a huge leech. 

But they’re actually neither!

Their long, tubular bodies hold everything a fish needs to be… well… a fish!

They’re more similar to sharks than eels, thanks to their cartilage-based skeleton, which is different from the more rigid bones found in a typical fish.

Lampreys have large eyes, dorsal fins, and a set of gills on each side of their body. These gills allow them to filter oxygen as they glide through the water while attached to their prey.

While large eyes and dorsal fins may sound like typical characteristics of a fish, the moment you get a look at their mouth, things get a lot less familiar.

Lampreys are jawless fish. 

Instead of having a mouth that hinges open and closed to clamp down on or chew food, they have a folding, circular mouth that opens up to look like a suction cup!

But unlike a soft and squishy suction cup, their mouths are filled with row after row of sharp hooked teeth.

Instead of taking bites of their food, lampreys simply attach to a fish using their teeth, then suck their tasty insides out while hitching a ride.

While this might sound like a strange pattern of eating, it’s very effective. 

A single lamprey can kill up to of 240 pounds of fish in its 6-year life span!

Because of their fish-consuming proficiency, lampreys are considered to be an active threat to a range of freshwater and saltwater environments.

While there are many native lamprey species throughout the world, invasive species can quickly upset an aquatic ecosystem.

Lampreys will only spawn once in their entire lifetime, but they certainly make it count!

A single nest of lamprey eggs can easily reach more than 80,000 individual eggs. 

If even a small fraction of those eggs reach maturity, that’s a whole lot of lampreys!

When lamprey eggs first hatch, they enter a larval stage.

The tiny larva will filter feed during this time, eating tiny microbes and bacteria in the sand surrounding their nests.

Soon, they’ll undergo metamorphosis and reach the parasitic stage of their life. 

It’s during this time that they pose the greatest threat.

The size of lampreys varies drastically, depending on the species. 

Most freshwater species are smaller, with some only reaching around 5 inches and weighing less than 100 grams.

However, larger varieties—including sea lampreys—can reach lengths of 40 inches long and weigh as much as 5 pounds!

Lampreys die after mating, so their population cycles tend to ebb and flow. 

Still, the sheer number of eggs they lay can make them a formidable pest if they reach areas with ample food and few predators. 

This can make them a troublesome critter for wildlife conservation groups as they strive to keep them out of lakes and streams where they don’t belong.

WOWZERFUL FACTS

Some cool stuff from around the web we think you and your kids will enjoy.

OVERHEARD

“There is always one moment in childhood when the door opens and lets the future in.

— Graham Greene

THAT’S FUNNY

Why do skunks love Valentine’s Day so much?

Because it’s so scent-imental!

Today’s email was written by Joshua J. with contributions by Geoff W. and Branden S.

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FEBRUARY 5, 2022

YOUR WEEKLY DOSE OF WOWZERS AND WONDER FROM THE NATURAL WORLD

We’re willing to wager that there’s a good chance you’ve seen a squirrel before.

But we bet you haven’t seen a squirrel like this!

This week, we’re headed to India to look at the biggest squirrel you’ve ever seen.

Let’s head to the treetops to meet the Malabar Giant Squirrel!

Native to the peninsular regions of India, the Malabar Squirrel—also known as the Indian Giant Squirrel—spends its life in the treetops of India’s humid, tropical forests.

They can be hard to miss as they leap more than 20 feet from tree to tree in search of food.

One of the first things you’re likely to notice is their size.

As their name suggests, these squirrels aren’t like the ones you’ve likely seen in your backyard or at the park.

Malabar squirrels can weigh as much as 2kg and reach lengths of 45cm or more.

And that doesn’t include their big bushy tails which can be up to two feet long all on their own!

If the size of this squirrel didn’t immediately grab your attention, its colouring likely will.

Instead of the red, brown, grey, or black you might find in North America or Europe, these humongous squirrels are a rainbow of all of these colours.

Their underbelly and face are often a lighter colour (such as tan or white) while their back, legs, ears, and tail are a mix of reds, browns, blacks, and—in the right lighting—even purple!

Indian giant squirrels are typically diurnal—meaning they forage for food in the early morning and evening, and lounge around the treetops during the hottest parts of the day.

Their favourite foods include fruits, flowers, nuts, bark, bird eggs, and bugs!

By nightfall, they tuck themselves into their nests and sleep for the night.

Their nests are elaborately constructed, globe-like structures made of twigs and leaves, making them just as unique as the squirrels themselves!

Each squirrel will build and maintain multiple nests (sometimes as many as 5) to give them easy access to shelter when travelling across their large territories.

However, only one of these nests will be used to raise their young.

Confusingly, baby Malabar squirrels can be called pups, kits, or kittens. 

They’re typically born in groups—called a dray or scurry—of 1 to 3 kittens.

Within six months, the young will be mostly independent and start to establish their own territories.

They’re not particularly social, so once they’re grown, they’ll spend most of their time alone.

Their populations are healthy, and they are widespread throughout their homeland forests. However, they’re pretty shy, so catching a peek of one in person could be tricky!

WOWZERFUL FACTS

Some cool stuff from around the web we think you and your kids will enjoy.

OVERHEARD

“Sometimes it is good to leap into the unknown. Practice leaping.

— Macrina Wiederkehr

THAT’S FUNNY

Where does a giant polar bear keep its money?

In a snowbank!

Today’s email was written by Joshua J. with contributions by Geoff W. and Branden S.

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JANUARY 29, 2022

YOUR WEEKLY DOSE OF WOWZERS AND WONDER FROM THE NATURAL WORLD

This week, we’re venturing into the forests of Central and South America. 

But to catch of glimpse of our special guest, you’ll need to be quick!

These critters are exceptional climbers, and are small enough to hide just about anywhere.

So keep your eyes peeled as we explore the world of the tayra!

Tayras are mainly found in Honduras, Brazil, Costa Rica, and the Yucatan Peninsula.

They prefer tropical and subtropical forests since those environments provide a variety of food options, lots of hollow logs to live in, and plenty of trees to climb.

As as part of the weasel family, these long, lithe creatures can reach 28in long, not including their 18in tail. 

They can weigh anywhere from 6 to 15.5 lbs.

The tayra’s toes and claws aren’t meant for digging like some other small animals.

Instead, their paws are designed to help them climb, swim, and run with great speed, allowing them to escape predators and ambush potential snacks.

As omnivores, tayras are just as likely to chow down on fruits or berries as they are to catch a spiny rat (one of their favourite treats), small lizards, or even bugs!

Most tayras are covered in brown or black fur. However, albinism is becoming increasingly common, resulting in more frequent yellowish or white coats.

Regardless of their colour, they’ll often have a small triangular patch of lighter fur on their chest.

Tayras are typically diurnal, which means are active during the day and rest at night, just like us! 

Despite being out and about in broad daylight, they’re not particularly social. 

Most will live solitary lives, opting to meet other tayras only when it’s time to mate.

In the rare times that small groups of tayras were observed, researchers found that they communicated with a mix of yowls, snarls, and clicks.

Baby tayras, known as kits ,are typically born in litters of two or three. 

For the first 1 to 2 months of their lives, their eyes and ears remain closed, making them completely blind and deaf.

They’ll spend roughly 6 to 10 months under the care of their moms. 

During this time, they’ll learn how to hunt and hide before venturing off to claim their own territory.

Their territories can be quite vast for such small creatures. 

It’s estimated that a tayra will travel at least 6 km every day and patrol a range of around 24 square kilometres.

While tayras aren’t particularly well known in other parts of the world, and finding them in zoos can be tricky, they’re currently listed as a Least Concern animal due to their thriving populations.

WOWZERFUL FACTS

Some cool stuff from around the web we think you and your kids will enjoy.

OVERHEARD

“The trees will tell their secrets to those that tune in.

— Steven Magee

THAT’S FUNNY

What do you call a thieving alligator?

A crook-o-dile!

Today’s email was written by Joshua J. with contributions by Geoff W. and Branden S.

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JANUARY 22, 2022

YOUR WEEKLY DOSE OF WOWZERS AND WONDER FROM THE NATURAL WORLD

If you’re superstitious, a black cat might make you nervous.

But these black cats are intimidating for a whole different set of reasons.

Hunting by the dark of night and capable of climbing trees, they stealthily slip through the shadows, mainly doing as they please.

This week, we’re talking about the lithe and lethal black leopard!

Black leopards are found mainly in Southwestern China, Burma, Nepal, Southern India, Indonesia, and the southern part of Malaysia.

However, they’re popular animals in zoos and big cat exhibits. 

So you might find them available to view near you!

Black leopards aren’t a distinct species. Instead, they’re a melanistic (or darker coloured) version of the more common light-coloured leopards.

The black colour isn’t actually pure black. 

Their spotted pattern appears underneath and can be seen in the right light.

While they’re one of the smaller big cats, they are quite long, reaching between 37 and 65 inches and standing up to 31 inches tall at the shoulder.

Males are much bigger than females, and can weigh up to 200 pounds.

Unlike many animals with distinct mating seasons, mama leopards have cubs year-round—typically in twos or threes.

These cubs will spend the first week of their life with their eyes closed. 

They’ll hang around mom for up to two years, until she’s entirely sure they’re ready to fend for themselves.

If they survive the first year, these majestic cats will typically live between 12 and 15 years in the wild. 

Leopards have been known to live more than 20 years in zoos or cat centres!

While all black leopards are carnivorous and capable hunters, the times they prefer to hunt depends on their location.

West African leopards who live in the rainforest are most active during the day.

Most other black leopards are nocturnal, using the cover of night and their dark fur to sneak up on unsuspecting prey.

Capable of taking down animals that weigh up to 10 times more than themselves, they’ll snack on everything from tiny mice to large antelope!

Even more impressive, their strong muscles allow them to climb trees with their kill, keeping their meals safe from other big cats or scavengers such as hyenas.

Many will spend their downtime lounging comfortably in the treetops even when they’re not eating.

As solitary animals, the only time you’ll see them hunt in packs is when a mother is training her young. 

Otherwise, they are quite territorial and don’t like to share their hunting areas with other black leopards. 

They will, however, often share territory with tigers or lions as these other big cats aren’t able to climb trees and steal their food.

Leopards—black or otherwise—are endangered or threatened in most of their natural habitats due to fur trading and the loss of their preferred trees. 

However, conservation efforts are going well to help protect these big, beautiful cats.

WOWZERFUL FACTS

Some cool stuff from around the web we think you and your kids will enjoy.

OVERHEARD

“The idea of wilderness needs no defence, it only needs defenders.

— Edward Abbey

THAT’S FUNNY

What kind of snake is good at math?

An adder!

Today’s email was written by Joshua J. with contributions by Geoff W. and Branden S.

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JANUARY 15, 2022

YOUR WEEKLY DOSE OF WOWZERS AND WONDER FROM THE NATURAL WORLD

This week’s featured creature is only found down under.

While you might not have heard of them before, their cute faces and laid-back attitudes will ensure you don’t forget them.

Let’s get down in the dirt and say g’day to our furry friends, the quolls!

Native to Australia, New Guinea, and Tasmania, there are six known species of quoll still living today:

• Northern quoll
• Tiger quoll (also known as the spotted-tail quoll)
• Eastern quoll
• Western quoll
• Bronze quoll
• New Guinean quoll

However, scientists believe there have been many more species over time, with the original ancestors of today’s quolls reaching back as far as 15 million years ago!

While most of the quoll species prefer warm climates with plenty of rain, western quolls and bronze quolls have adapted to the more arid regions of Australia and New Guinea.

They’re marsupials, meaning they live in a pouch on their mother after birth, just like kangaroos.

Once grown, their tails are almost as long as their body!

They’ll reach between 10 to 30 inches from their head to the base of their body, and typically have 8 to 14 inch long tails.

Tiger quolls are the largest species and can 15 pounds! Most other species are smaller, however, typically topping out at around 2.8 pounds.

They come in a variety of colours, mostly depending on the species, including fawn, brown, or black.

But one thing all quolls have in common is a pattern of spots across their backs!

Quolls are carnivorous animals with tiny sharp teeth and super strong jaws.

They aren’t very picky eaters and are happy to snack on just about any animal smaller than them, including birds, lizards, frogs, eggs, and bugs!

They’ll even eat roadkill!

Right image: Michael J Fromholtz

They tend to scurry about the ground, searching out snacks while trying to avoid larger predators, which happen to be plentiful, given their size.

They have ridged footpads which allow them to grip vertical surfaces and climb trees and other objects when they need to reach a particularly tasty snack or are looking for alternative hideouts to escape predators.

Some of their biggest threats include foxes, crocodiles, cane toads, snakes, and Tasmanian devils.

As nocturnal animals, they’re typically found prowling about at night. 

During the day, they’ll slumber in fallen hollow logs, nestled between rocks, or in small burrows they’ve dug with their clawed paws.

Quolls are solitary animals, avoiding groups unless they’re looking for a mate. 

They’ll live between two to five years in the wild, with captive quolls living even longer.

Baby quolls, known as pups, only develop inside their mothers for 21 days and are considered adults at just one year old. 

That’s one fast childhood!

They’re fairly common in the areas they inhabit, often sneaking into suburban areas or scavenging roadkill for easy snacks. 

As such, there is a good chance you could see one in person if you’re ever visiting Australia, New Guinea, or Tasmania.

All six species are considered near threatened due to predation from invasive species and urban development. 

Conservationists are considering encouraging owning quolls as pets to help stabilize the population and encourage quoll breeding before numbers get too low.

Until then, captive breeding programs are showing great success in supporting quoll numbers and helping to reintroduce them in areas throughout the country.

If you’re located anywhere outside of Australia, New Guinea, or Tasmania, there’s a good chance your only chance of seeing these cute little critters is on the Internet or TV. 

But you can always check with your local zoo as quolls are very comfortable in captivity.

WOWZERFUL FACTS

Some cool stuff from around the web we think you and your kids will enjoy.

OVERHEARD

“Curiosity will conquer fear even more than bravery will.

— James Stephens

THAT’S FUNNY

Why couldn’t the pony sing a lullaby?

She was a little horse!

Today’s email was written by Joshua J. with contributions by Geoff W. and Branden S.

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JANUARY 8, 2022

YOUR WEEKLY DOSE OF WOWZERS AND WONDER FROM THE NATURAL WORLD

Today’s featured critter is very, VERY old. 

In fact, they’re older than dinosaurs! 

Thought to be the evolutionary link between worms and arthropods, they have some really Wowzerful characteristics.

But watch out, they pack a few surprises too!

Today, we’re getting slimy and squishy with velvet worms!

Image: Geoff Gallice

There are an estimated 200 species of velvet worms on Earth today! 

They are spread across the globe but prefer the moist, tropical climates of the Southern Hemisphere.

They are essentially living fossils, with not much changing in their bodily make-up in more than 500 million years. 

In fact, The fossilized velvet worms found in British Columbia’s Burgess Shale are nearly identical to today’s living worms!

While their exact length might vary between species and location, most velvet worms share a range of physical and biological traits.

Found in various colours—including red, blue, brown, orange, and grey—velvet worms often feature beautiful striped, spotted, or chevron patterns.

Their bodies are covered in sensitive hairs which stick up from the tiny bumps on their surface, known as papillae.

These bumps are made from overlapping scales which help the worms to repel excess moisture.

This is important because life as a velvet worm is one big watery balancing act!

While they want to repel some water, they also need to be near moisture at all times.

This is because they breathe through tiny holes and tubes in their bodies, known as tracheae. 

They are unable to close these, so staying in a dry area for too long could lead to a very withered, and a very dead, worm.

Their soupy insides are essential for more than just staying hydrated, though. The liquid also acts as a skeleton!

Instead of hard bones like many animals have, velvet worms use pressure changes in their internal liquids and muscle control to move their legs, twist their bodies, and navigate the world around them.

They’re like walking, carnivorous water balloons!

This method of movement is especially Wowzerful when you consider that some species of velvet worm have more than 40 pairs of legs and can reach lengths of up to 20 cm!

The end of their little stubby legs features a moveable pad that they use as a foot. 

When they need to grab on to something, there are a pair of retractable claws on each pad.

This is the reason for their scientific name, Onychophora or “claw bearers.”

While the velvet worm might not be super speedy, its flexibility and grippy paws make it a bit of a ninja when moving across difficult terrain or climbing.

And if all this wasn’t Wowzerful enough, we haven’t even talked about the two glue cannons on the front of their heads!

That’s right! 

When threatened or stalking a meal, velvet worms shoot a fast-drying sticky slime out two floppy tubes on their face. 

Want to see the slime-slinging action up close? Check out this video from bioGraphicMagazine.

While the spray is not very accurate, it covers a wide area and is very effective at pinning down bugs so the worm can catch up and go in for the kill.

Once they’ve trapped an unsuspecting beetle, termite, or other insect, they’ll saw into their shell or cut their skin using a knife-like fang and inject their prey with saliva.

This allows them to slurp up their meal without worrying about hands or a large mouth filled with teeth to break down the crunchier parts.

Spotting velvet worms is tricky because they’re small, slow-moving, and nocturnal. 

They also don’t like light. Instead, they stick to damp, moist caves, leafy forest floors, and other places where you’re less likely to notice them.

So while they can be rare to spot, they are actually quite common.

They’ve been around for millions of years, and that isn’t likely to change anytime soon.

If you happen to run across one while exploring the world, handle them with care and count yourself extremely lucky!

WOWZERFUL FACTS

Some cool stuff from around the web we think you and your kids will enjoy.

OVERHEARD

“Don’t look at your feet to see if you’re doing it right. Just Dance.

— Anne Lamott

THAT’S FUNNY

Why can’t pine trees sew?

Because they always drop their needles!

Today’s email was written by Joshua J. with contributions by Geoff W. and Branden S.

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DECEMBER 18, 2021