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What’s the Difference Between Frogs and Toads?

Earth Rangers

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May 3, 2013

What’s the Difference Between Frogs and Toads?

Frogs and toads have a lot in common. They are both members of the order Anura, they both reproduce in water, and they even look alike. It can be pretty easy to get them mixed up. Here are some hints to help you tell frogs (family Ranidae) and toads (family Bufonidae) apart.

Sources:
http://news.psu.edu/story/141230/2010/03/23/research/probing-question-whats-difference-between-frogs-and-toads
http://www.arc-trust.org/advice/FAQs/frogs_and_toads/difference.php
Michael E. Dorcas and J. Whitfield Gibbons. Frogs and Toads of the Southeast. University of Georgia Press, 2008: Page 7

Earth Rangers is a non-profit organization that works to inspire and educate children about the environment. At EarthRangers.com kids can play games, discover amazing facts, meet animal ambassadors and fundraise to protect biodiversity.

What’s So Great About Frogs?

Earth Rangers

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May 2, 2013

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Not everyone has been won over by the frogs of the world; some people still vote for soft and fluffy species, like Koala bears, as their favourite animal. As much as we adore Koalas, frogs need a lot more appreciation, after all, they are really important animals and here’s why.

Frogs are indicator species:

Frogs have skin that is permeable, which means things can pass through it. This allows them to both breath and drink through their skin. It also means that anything in the environment is really easy for them to absorb. If an environment is contaminated with things like pollutants their health will really be affected. They also live on both land and in the water, which exposes them to two different environments. Thanks to their permeable skin and duel life on and off land frogs are the go to species to figure out how an ecosystem is doing. Scientists often look at frog populations in order to figure out how healthy, or unhealthy an environment is.

Frogs are important to the food chain:

Throughout the lifecycle of a frog they play an important role in the food chain as both predators and prey. This means that taking them out of the mix has a really big impact on lots of other animals. As tadpoles they feed on algae, which helps to keep the water clean. Once full-grown frogs feed on lots of insects, which helps to control bug populations. When frogs aren’t busy eating things they are being eaten, serving as a tasty meal for tons of animals like fish, snakes and birds.

Frogs are really important and it’s up to us to help protect them, you can take action by:

Starting a campaign to protect the Oregon spotted frog
Helping to keep watery habitats, like ponds and wetlands, frog friendly, by using eco-friendly cleaners and conserving the amount of water you use
Learn more about frogs and share your know how with friends and family

Earth Rangers is a non-profit organization that works to inspire and educate children about the environment. At EarthRangers.com kids can play games, discover amazing facts, meet animal ambassadors and fundraise to protect biodiversity.

Caelen and Grayson: Animal Saving Bros

Earth Rangers

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April 29, 2013

32

We love hearing inspirational stories about kids who are going above and beyond to protect animals. Not only have these two brothers done an amazing job fundraising for the American Badger and the Polar bear, but Caelen and Grayson have also done some animal saving in their own community. It’s clear that these boys are passionate about animals and we are proud to have them as Super Rangers!

Animal Rescuers

When Caelen and Grayson spotted a star nosed mole that had fallen into a pool, they rescued it, nursed it back to health and successfully released it back into the wild.

They also saved an injured painted turtle from the side of the road, after the turtle’s home had been destroyed by the development of a new subdivision.

When they found a stray cat in a garbage bin, Caelen and Grayson called the local animal rescue shelter. It turns out the cat was the mom to a litter of kittens, and all were rescued thanks to Caelen and Grayson’s belief in helping animals in need. Thanks to tips provided by these animal loving brothers, the animal rescue shelter has found five additional stray cats, all of whom have now been adopted.

Polar bear and American badger

After reading about all the work they’ve done for animals around their neighbourhood, it probably isn’t a surprise that Caelen and Grayson took fundraising for the Polar bear and American badger to heart.

These dedicated boys decided donation boxes were the best way to reach the most people and spread news about the animals they wanted to protect. They set up boxes at school, and even their mom and dad’s workplaces.

Caelen and Grayson also reached out to the animal rescue agencies that had caught the stray cats. The agencies were more than generous in helping these two boys who have an amazing love for animals.

Caelen and Grayson teach us that everyone can make a difference, so get out there and start spreading the word about animals in need.

Earth Rangers is a non-profit organization that works to inspire and educate children about the environment. At EarthRangers.com kids can play games, discover amazing facts, meet animal ambassadors and fundraise to protect biodiversity.

Caption This! What’s this Lion Cub Thinking?

Earth Rangers

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April 25, 2013

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Caption This! What’s this Lion Cub Thinking?

We need your help! This lion cub is trying to tell us something but we can’t figure it out! Do you know what it’s thinking?

See if you can come up with the best caption!

Post your ideas in the comment section below.

Looking for more fun stuff? Check out our other captions, try and figure out a pixel puzzler, take a quiz or watch a cool video!

Royal Critters: Some of the Prince of Wales’ Favourite Animals

Earth Rangers

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April 17, 2013

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Royal Critters: Some of the Prince of Wales’ Favourite Animals

The Prince loves animals; he even has his own species of frog named after him, The Prince Charles Stream Frog (HyloscirtusPrincecharlesi), which is found in the rainforests of Ecuador. The Prince is always trying to help protect different animals, just like Earth Rangers. That’s why we are proud to have His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales as an official patron of Earth Rangers! Here’s a list of some of the Prince of Wales’ favourite animals and how he’s helping to protect them.

Tapir

Tapirs are similar in size to a pig with a short, prehensile snout. They can be found in jungles and forests in South America, Central America and Southeast Asia. The Prince has called Tapirs, “One of my favourite creatures.” and has lent his support to the Birdlife International Sumatran Rainforest Campaign. This campaign aims to rehabilitate and conserve 60,000-80,000 hectares of lowland rainforest in Indonesia.

Red Squirrel

The Red squirrel used to be found all over England until they began to be squeezed out by Grey squirrels, an invasive species introduced from North America. The Prince helped create the Red Squirrel Survival Trust to protect these endangered animals. The Prince likes them so much he said, “My great ambition is to have one in the house…sitting on the breakfast table and on my shoulder.” Imagine that, a squirrel in the Palace!

Albatross

Albatross have the largest wingspan of any bird on the planet but 19 species of Albatross are currently endangered, mostly because of certain fishing practices. The Prince is patron of Southern Seabird Solutions, an organization that works with fishermen to find ways to protect this magnificent bird. The Prince thinks Albatross’ are “an iconic bird – one of the most remarkable and beautiful on this Earth”.

The Australian Stock Horse

Australian stock horses, also known as Walers (named after the Colony of New South Wales), are the descendants of the original horses brought to Australia. They are strong, sturdy horses used for ranching and exploring. The Prince is patron of The Australian Stock Horse Society, which works to preserve this special breed.

Atlantic Salmon

Salmon are born in fresh water streams and eventually migrate to the ocean where they grow to between 8-12 pounds. Some of the biggest salmon caught can weigh nearly 100 pounds! Since the 1970s the number of salmon returning to breed has gone down by 50%. The Prince supports efforts to protect Atlantic salmon through the Atlantic Salmon Trust, which he serves as patron. The Prince fishes regularly on the River Dee in Scotland, and is very concerned about the threats facing Atlantic salmon.

Earth Rangers is a non-profit organization that works to inspire and educate children about the environment. At EarthRangers.com kids can play games, discover amazing facts, meet animal ambassadors and fundraise to protect biodiversity.

Beluga Whale Hunting in the Arctic

Earth Rangers

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March 14, 2013

32

Do you have a favourite summer getaway? That special place you go every year when the weather gets warmer? If so, you’re not the only one in the animal kingdom.

Beluga whales have been known to return to the same rivers and estuaries (places were rivers meet oceans) year after year. They visit these special spots to feed, get away from predators like Polar bears and Killer whales and to moult (get rid of dead skin).

Unfortunately, Belugas will keep returning to these areas even when it is unsafe. Since their summer hideaways are so predictable, it’s really easy for hunters to find them. In some areas, hunters have targeted so many belugas that it is believed they may have wiped out entire populations!

Thankfully, there have been limits put in place to make sure Belugas aren’t overhunted. These limits have already started to help protect Beluga whale populations, but they aren’t out of danger yet. Beluga hunting is still a problem in areas of the Hudson Bay. Scientists believe that if hunting levels continue, the Eastern Hudson Bay population could disappear in fewer than 10 to 15 years!

Can you picture yourself kayaking alongside Beluga whales?
Enter the Whales, Trails and, Polar Bear Tales Contest for your chance to win an awesome Arctic eco-adventure!

Source: COSEWIC Assessment and Update Status Report on the Beluga Whale Delphinapterus leucas, 2004

Generously Supported By

A Conservation Partnership With

Earth Rangers is a non-profit organization that works to inspire and educate children about the environment. At EarthRangers.com kids can play games, discover amazing facts, meet animal ambassadors and fundraise to protect biodiversity.

Animal Protector Jovanna

Earth Rangers

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March 8, 2013

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Jovanna is a girl with a passion for protecting animals and their homes! This nature lover has done so much for so many animals, and the American Badger is no exception. We were blown away by Jovanna’s efforts to help the American badger and spread the word about their threats and challenges so we’ve asked her to share her awesome story!

Hi! My name is Jovanna and I am ten years old!

I have loved animals since I was just a baby, especially animals you could keep as a pet. Then, I only had a dog and a cat but now, I have a dog, two cats, two horses and four fish! My passion for critters large and small has developed beyond just pets. Now, I love animals found in the wild just as much. Part of my love for animals comes from having spent so much time on my family’s farm, where I have seen many, many creatures. At the farm, I like skiing, hiking and climbing trees. As a result of all this, I am very connected to nature.

When I found out so many wild animals were endangered, I was very upset. Since then, I have done many fundraisers for animals, including the panda, tiger and polar bear too. I believe that every person should do their part to preserve nature. I feel very, very strongly about that, and so when the opportunity to fundraise for Earth Rangers came up, I was so excited!

I heard about the charity through my friends at school where Earth Rangers had previously visited. They were very impressed with the presentation, so they joined Earth Rangers to protect the Wood Thrush, and Woodland Caribou. They recommended it to me, as well. So, I went on the website and created an account to help save the American Badger.

Wow! I never knew FUN-draising could be so fun! I like playing the games, and reading the blog, but mostly, I love raising money, knowing it’s going to a great charity, and a great cause. I sent out a few e-mails, and the results were remarkable! Lots of the people I contacted donated, and sent e-mails back. They were so supportive! I got so inspired that I wanted to enlighten and empower more people by spreading the word and asking for donations. I did this by visiting my neighbours. I made an information sheet with facts about the American badger’s threats, what donations would help with, and the charity, Earth Rangers. I also included the name and picture of the American Badger. Lots of people were inspired, most donated, and 4 people even created accounts for their own children. By the end of my campaign, I had raised more money than I ever thought I could. It was amazing!

I love Earth Rangers because it is interactive, inspiring, friendly and empowers CHILDREN. I recommend Earth Rangers to anyone who loves animals, and wants to make a difference.

Thanks, Jovanna! You have done some outstanding work and we are glad to have you as a member of the Super Ranger team! Look out for another update from Jovanna this April as she shares with us her Top Ten Ways Kids Can Help the Environment

You can help protect animals and their homes just like Jovanna by starting your own Bring Back the Wild campaign

Earth Rangers is a non-profit organization that works to inspire and educate children about the environment. At EarthRangers.com kids can play games, discover amazing facts, meet animal ambassadors and fundraise to protect biodiversity.

OMG Kids Are Making A Difference

Earth Rangers

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March 7, 2013

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Earth Rangers have some special guests today, brother and sister, Carter and Olivia. These two eco stars have stopped by the Wild Wire to tell us about how they are helping to protect the planet!

OMG founders — OMG Founders Carter and Olivia

Carter: Hi, my name is Carter, I’m 12. My sister Olivia, who is 10, and I started our own non-profit organization back in 2009 called One More Generation (OMG). Check out our OMG Video about endangered species. Our goal is to help educate kids and adults about the plight of endangered species and how our actions affect the environment.

Olivia: Shortly after starting OMG, the Gulf oil spill happened in April of 2010. We saw the images of sea birds and sea turtles caked in oil on TV and decided we had to help. First we phoned organizations involved in the animal rescue to find out what supplies they needed. We then spent the next four months visiting churches and schools giving presentations and asking for help collecting the supplies. In late August of that year, on my eighth birthday, we headed to the Gulf. We worked with the Marine Mammal & Sea Turtle Rescue Center, who gladly accepted the collected supplies. While volunteering we found out that some of the animals we were helping to save were also being put at risk by plastic pollution. It was the first time Carter and I had ever heard of this issue.

Carter: Once we returned from the Gulf we decided to create our Plastic Awareness Coalition, which now has over 70 partners helping us to educate communities about this issue. We also launched our Plastic and Recycling Awareness Curriculum, which we share with elementary schools across the country. We want to help kids our age understand that they can be part of the solution to the issue of plastic pollution.

Olivia: One of our latest initiatives is our Rhino Letter Writing Campaign. We have been working with two amazing organization from South Africa, SPOTS (Strategic Protection Of Threatened Species) and Rhino SA, together we created a Community Rhino Presentation. We bring our presentation to communities everywhere in an effort to help people understand that with the current rate of poaching of rhinos the species is likely to go extinct in our lifetime. We are asking kids to write letters to the South African President, President Zuma. The letters are written to ask President Zuma to become more involved with stopping the poaching of rhinos for horns. We plan on hand delivering all the letters we collect personally to President Zuma in the summer of 2013 to show him how much the world wants him to save these animals.

Here’s how you can help OMG protect the rhino:

Write a letter or draw a picture addressed to the South African President, President Zuma, asking him to get more involved with stopping poaching of rhinos for horns. Send your letter by e-mail to info@onemoregeneration.org or by mail to:
One More Generation
P.O. Box 143627
Fayetteville, GA 30214

You can see some of the letters kids have submitted on our website: http://onemoregeneration.org/2012/07/20/dear-president-zuma/

We wish to thank everyone for taking the time to learn about what we do at OMG and we hope each one of you will write us a letter and get your friends, parents and your entire school to do the same.
Best regards from the entire OMG Team 😉

What’s A Nautilus?

Earth Rangers

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March 5, 2013

35

The Nautilus is thought to have been swimming in the planet’s oceans for 500 million years, a long history that has earned them the nickname ‘the living fossil’. They live in chambered shells, which can become as big as 20 cm in length. The Nautilus shell has two main regions. The front or outermost region is the living chamber, which has the soft body of the Nautilus. Nautilus live inside their coiled shell for protection, but as they grow the Nautilus creates a new living chamber, leaving an empty chamber behind. It is these empty chambers that create the second region of the shell, which looks like a series of empty rooms that form the shape of a spiral. Adults can have up to 30 chambers, as the shape of the shell winds down in a coil, the chambers get smaller and smaller.

Description: Nautilus are cephalopods, which means they are related to octopi, squid and cuttlefish. They have a beautiful shell with brown and reddish stripes that looks like pearl on the inside. Their shells are so strong they can withstand pressure at depths of nearly 2,600 feet beneath the surface of the ocean. Under the hood or front of the shell you can see90 small tentacles and primitive eyes. Nautili have really poor vision but an incredible sense of smell.

Habitat: This amazing animal can be found in the Western Pacific Ocean off the coasts of the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Australia. They live deep in the ocean, 900-2000 feet down, coming up to shallower water at night to hunt. Nautili live at ocean depths that we know little about. The Nautilus is an example of a species that makes you think about the incredible diversity of habitats and life forms on Earth, many of which are still largely undiscovered.

nautilus diagram. Photo Credit, Commonwealth of Australia

Movement: Cephalopods, like the Nautilus, swim by pushing water in and out of their chambered shell through a special tube called a siphon. They use this jet propulsion to move quickly through the water, similar to how jets use the movement of air through their turbines to speed up. Nautili stay afloat in the water by using two different mechanisms; the first uses gas, while the second relies on osmosis.

Nautilus tentacles and siphuncle — Nautilus tentacles and siphon, Photo Credit: Flickr User, Dremsen

The Nautilus can release gas into the empty chambers in their shell through a tube called a siphuncle. The gas helps keep the Nautilus upright and buoyant, or afloat. Nautili can also take in water into their living chamber through the sides of their siphuncle, they use this water to absorb salt into their blood. This salt leaves less water in their blood, while their living chamber has a higher concentration of water. By adjusting the flow of water between their blood and living chamber through osmosis they create different concentrations of water. This special ability also helps the Nautilus to stay afloat. These features make the Nautilus incredibly well designed for moving through the water, so much so that submarines have been named after them.

Lifecycle: Once a year, females will deposit the fertilized eggs onto rocks in shallow water. Females then incubate and care for the eggs for nine months to a year. When hatched the newborn Nautilus will be 2.5cm in diameter. The Nautilus lives 15-20 years.

Predators: Octopus, sharks, triggerfish and turtles

Diet: Nautilus use their sense of smell and tentacles to find prey, and they eat mostly crustaceans and carrion (dead animals).

Resources:
http://marinebio.org/species.asp?id=168
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Nautilus_pompilius/
http://australianmuseum.net.au/Nautilus-pompilius
http://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/invertebrates/facts/cephalopods/factsheets/chamberednautilus.cfm
http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=216384
O’Dor RK and DM Webber (1991). Invertebrate athletes: trade-offs between transport efficiency and power density in cephalopod evolution. Journal of Experimental Biology 160:93-112.
Ward PD (1987). The Natural History of Nautilus. Allen and Unwin, London.

Earth Rangers is a non-profit organization that works to inspire and educate children about the environment. At EarthRangers.com kids can play games, discover amazing facts, meet animal ambassadors and fundraise to protect biodiversity.

Caption This! What’s this Frog Thinking?

Earth Rangers

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February 20, 2013

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Caption This! What’s this Frog Thinking?

We need your help! This frog is trying to tell us something but we can’t figure it out! Do you know what it’s thinking?

Earth Rangers is a non-profit organization that works to inspire and educate children about the environment. At EarthRangers.com kids can play games, discover amazing facts, meet animal ambassadors and fundraise to protect biodiversity.

Frogs are indicator species:

Frogs are important to the food chain:

Earth Rangers is a non-profit organization that works to inspire and educate children about the environment. At EarthRangers.com kids can play games, discover amazing facts, meet animal ambassadors and fundraise to protect biodiversity.

Animal Rescuers

Polar bear and American badger

Caelen and Grayson teach us that everyone can make a difference, so get out there and start spreading the word about animals in need.

Earth Rangers is a non-profit organization that works to inspire and educate children about the environment. At EarthRangers.com kids can play games, discover amazing facts, meet animal ambassadors and fundraise to protect biodiversity.

See if you can come up with the best caption!

Post your ideas in the comment section below.

Looking for more fun stuff? Check out our other captions, try and figure out a pixel puzzler, take a quiz or watch a cool video!

Tapir

Red Squirrel

Albatross

The Australian Stock Horse

Atlantic Salmon

Earth Rangers is a non-profit organization that works to inspire and educate children about the environment. At EarthRangers.com kids can play games, discover amazing facts, meet animal ambassadors and fundraise to protect biodiversity.

Can you picture yourself kayaking alongside Beluga whales? Enter the Whales, Trails and, Polar Bear Tales Contest for your chance to win an awesome Arctic eco-adventure!

Generously Supported By

A Conservation Partnership With

Earth Rangers is a non-profit organization that works to inspire and educate children about the environment. At EarthRangers.com kids can play games, discover amazing facts, meet animal ambassadors and fundraise to protect biodiversity.

Hi! My name is Jovanna and I am ten years old!

You can help protect animals and their homes just like Jovanna by starting your own Bring Back the Wild campaign

Earth Rangers is a non-profit organization that works to inspire and educate children about the environment. At EarthRangers.com kids can play games, discover amazing facts, meet animal ambassadors and fundraise to protect biodiversity.

Here’s how you can help OMG protect the rhino:

Earth Rangers is a non-profit organization that works to inspire and educate children about the environment. At EarthRangers.com kids can play games, discover amazing facts, meet animal ambassadors and fundraise to protect biodiversity.

See if you can come up with the best caption!

Post your ideas in the comment section below.

Looking for more fun stuff? Check out our other captions, try and figure out a pixel puzzler, take a quiz or watch a cool video!

Can you picture yourself kayaking alongside Beluga whales?
Enter the Whales, Trails and, Polar Bear Tales Contest for your chance to win an awesome Arctic eco-adventure!