Hi Everyone!
Welcome to February's factfile! We are very sorry that we have not posted very much so far in 2021 but we are going to hopefully make up for it in the spring.
Welcome to February's factfile! We are very sorry that we have not posted very much so far in 2021 but we are going to hopefully make up for it in the spring.
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News:
Source- BBC Newsround
The great yellow bumblebee has been spotted in Scotland! They used to be common in the UK but their population declined by about 80% in the last century. The find is a spark of hope as it is currently endangered. This is thought to be because of a decline in natural flower meadows and a boost in farming. The team of conservationists that found it were thrilled and when we heard about it we wanted to share it with you in case you hadn't heard!
The great yellow bumblebee has been spotted in Scotland! They used to be common in the UK but their population declined by about 80% in the last century. The find is a spark of hope as it is currently endangered. This is thought to be because of a decline in natural flower meadows and a boost in farming. The team of conservationists that found it were thrilled and when we heard about it we wanted to share it with you in case you hadn't heard!
Source- Guardian
In the 1840s a bird was caught in the East Indies. It had never been seen before and Charles Lucien Bonaparte (Napoleon's nephew) named it the black-browed babbler. The species wasn't seen again, so the only proof that it had ever existed was a stuffed specimen.
However it has been found again. Two local men found a black-browed babbler in the rainforest of Borneo. They took it for a bird species which they simply hadn't seen before. After taking some photos they released the bird back into the wild. It was only when they showed the pictures to birdwatching groups that experts realised that the bird had been a black-browed babbler. The find confirms that the black-browed babbler comes from south borneo.
In the 1840s a bird was caught in the East Indies. It had never been seen before and Charles Lucien Bonaparte (Napoleon's nephew) named it the black-browed babbler. The species wasn't seen again, so the only proof that it had ever existed was a stuffed specimen.
However it has been found again. Two local men found a black-browed babbler in the rainforest of Borneo. They took it for a bird species which they simply hadn't seen before. After taking some photos they released the bird back into the wild. It was only when they showed the pictures to birdwatching groups that experts realised that the bird had been a black-browed babbler. The find confirms that the black-browed babbler comes from south borneo.
Animals of the month
Air animal - Northern mockingbird
Mockingbirds are best known for their ability to mimic sounds around them,
such as the songs of other birds. They live in North and South America.
Northern mockingbirds are medium sized songbirds. They are about 22 to 25 cm (9-10 inches) long. Male mockingbirds sing louder and more often than females especially when looking for a mate. Some male mockingbirds may learn up to 200 different songs over the course of their lives. They never stop learning.
These beautiful songs very nearly wiped them out. People captured them to sell as pets. Luckily it is now illegal to own a mockingbird as a pet in the United States.
Mockingbirds are not social. They only interact with each other in the mating session. Then they keep out of each others way.
Mockingbirds feed on insects and the seeds and berries of ornamental plants. This diet makes the relationship between humans and birds very balanced. Humans don't like the birds because they eat the seeds and berries of ornamental plants. However humans like the birds because they feed on insects, which humans see as pests, and because of their beautiful song.
Northern mockingbirds are medium sized songbirds. They are about 22 to 25 cm (9-10 inches) long. Male mockingbirds sing louder and more often than females especially when looking for a mate. Some male mockingbirds may learn up to 200 different songs over the course of their lives. They never stop learning.
These beautiful songs very nearly wiped them out. People captured them to sell as pets. Luckily it is now illegal to own a mockingbird as a pet in the United States.
Mockingbirds are not social. They only interact with each other in the mating session. Then they keep out of each others way.
Mockingbirds feed on insects and the seeds and berries of ornamental plants. This diet makes the relationship between humans and birds very balanced. Humans don't like the birds because they eat the seeds and berries of ornamental plants. However humans like the birds because they feed on insects, which humans see as pests, and because of their beautiful song.
Land animal - Red panda
First of all, they were given the word 'panda' first, roughly fifty years
before the black and white species we recognise as a panda today. The name
panda is said to come from the Nepali word ‘ponya,’ which means bamboo or
plant eating animal.
They are classified as endangered with fewer than 10,000 in the wild as a result of poaching and loss of habitat. They live in the Eastern Himalayas and South-western China. They can live up to 15 years but many don't make is as their distinctive pelts make them a poaching target. Red panda fur caps or hats have been found for sale in Bhutan. They can also get into traps meant for animals- wouldn't it be better if there weren't any traps in the first place?
They are smaller than what we have come to recognise as the ordinary panda as they are around the size of a large domestic cat. However, there are many similarities with the black and white panda. One of the main ones is the fact that both rely on Bamboo for a large proportion of their diet. Red pandas also eat small mammals, eggs and flowers.
I hope you understand how vital it is we save these beautiful creatures from extinction.
You can donate to WWF who work a lot with endangered animals like the red panda by educating locals and trying to prevent poaching. You could also adopt a red panda which could make a great present for a relative!
They are classified as endangered with fewer than 10,000 in the wild as a result of poaching and loss of habitat. They live in the Eastern Himalayas and South-western China. They can live up to 15 years but many don't make is as their distinctive pelts make them a poaching target. Red panda fur caps or hats have been found for sale in Bhutan. They can also get into traps meant for animals- wouldn't it be better if there weren't any traps in the first place?
They are smaller than what we have come to recognise as the ordinary panda as they are around the size of a large domestic cat. However, there are many similarities with the black and white panda. One of the main ones is the fact that both rely on Bamboo for a large proportion of their diet. Red pandas also eat small mammals, eggs and flowers.
I hope you understand how vital it is we save these beautiful creatures from extinction.
You can donate to WWF who work a lot with endangered animals like the red panda by educating locals and trying to prevent poaching. You could also adopt a red panda which could make a great present for a relative!
Water dwelling animal - American Lobster
This month's water dwelling animal is the American Lobster. This is the most
common type of lobster, along with the European Lobster. They can grow up to
3.25 feet long (roughly 1 metre) and there is evidence that shows they could
live for 50 years or more!
Unlike most animals, American Lobster grow continually throughout their life.
Lobsters have 10 legs and are closely related to shrimps and crabs and can usually be found in cold and rocky coastlines. They feed mostly on fish and molluscs, which are any type of invertebrate like snails, clams and squids, as well as algae and other plant life.
They have bad eyesight, so mainly use their excellent sense of smell and taste to navigate their surroundings. American Lobsters have tiny hairs along their legs, which they use to taste things!
Currently, American Lobsters aren't considered endangered. However, their numbers are thought to be declining due to pollution in their habitats causes them to catch diseases that they aren't used to as lobsters are mostly disease resistant. Also, their popularity as a delicacy can lead to overfishing and the few species of lobster that are used commercially are some of the most harvested creatures in the ocean!
Unlike most animals, American Lobster grow continually throughout their life.
Lobsters have 10 legs and are closely related to shrimps and crabs and can usually be found in cold and rocky coastlines. They feed mostly on fish and molluscs, which are any type of invertebrate like snails, clams and squids, as well as algae and other plant life.
They have bad eyesight, so mainly use their excellent sense of smell and taste to navigate their surroundings. American Lobsters have tiny hairs along their legs, which they use to taste things!
Currently, American Lobsters aren't considered endangered. However, their numbers are thought to be declining due to pollution in their habitats causes them to catch diseases that they aren't used to as lobsters are mostly disease resistant. Also, their popularity as a delicacy can lead to overfishing and the few species of lobster that are used commercially are some of the most harvested creatures in the ocean!
Eco Tip!
Our eco tip for you to try and do in March is to learn to recognise different
plants. This means you have a greater appreciation for them and know which are
native and try to only plant them in your garden for example.
Thank you for reading our February Factfile.
P.S. If you want to help us decide what animals we are going to do next month,
please take part in this
online vote.
The deadline is 24.3.21 at 8pm British time.
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_mockingbird
https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/red-panda
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/invertebrates/facts/american-lobster
Images:
Title image: This image is owned by a blog editor.
Great yellow bumblebee: This image, owned by gailhampshire (on flickr.com), is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Northern mockingbird: This image, owned by Becky Matsubara (on flickr.com), is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Red panda: This image, owned by Mathais Appel (on flickr.com), is licensed under Public Domain.
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_mockingbird
https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/red-panda
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/invertebrates/facts/american-lobster
Images:
Title image: This image is owned by a blog editor.
Great yellow bumblebee: This image, owned by gailhampshire (on flickr.com), is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Northern mockingbird: This image, owned by Becky Matsubara (on flickr.com), is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Red panda: This image, owned by Mathais Appel (on flickr.com), is licensed under Public Domain.
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