We need your help! This animal is trying to tell us something but we can’t figure it out! Do you know what this heron is thinking?
Post your ideas in the comment section below.
Can you wolf-igure out what’s true or false: Reveal
Are you a myth-busting super ranger? Were you able to wolf-igure out what wolf facts are true and which are false?
We got a ton of great guesses in last week’s True or False, it’s time to find out who got it right! Are you ready for the great reveal?
The answers are…
- A wolf’s sense of smell is roughly 100 times stronger than a human’s – TRUE
Wolves have a very strong sense of smell – even better than dogs! This helps them to track prey as well as other wolves. Their smell also allows them to communicate with each other, and make sure they’re not too close to another pack’s territory. - Wolves are a threat to the elk population – FALSE
This is a myth often brought up to argue against the reintroduction of wolves into an area, from hunters and rangers who are worried that wolves may wipe out important game needed to eat.
There is no proof that wolves are a threat to the elk population that lives in their territories. Research shows that in some areas where wolves were reintroduced the elk population has even increased. This is thanks to wolves primarily hunting weak and sick elk, creating stronger elk herds. - Grey wolves are the biggest member of the Canidae family – TRUE
Canidae is the family of dogs, coyotes, foxes, and…wolves! Of all these animals, the grey wolf is the biggest one. They can grow up to 6.6 feet long and 2.5 feet tall. - Wolf packs are made up of Alphas, Betas, and Omegas – FALSE
The concept of an “alpha” wolf or any beta and omega is an inaccurate and outdated idea. This myth came from the idea that there are dominant or powerful “alpha” wolves who fight their way to the top, but in reality, a pack of wild wolves consists of families with parents and their children. The family works together to survive. As they grow older, young wolves might leave their parents’ pack to start a family of their own. - Wolves love to howl at the moon at night – FALSE
Wolves are often depicted howling at night under the moon, and while they do howl, it’s not at the moon! If you hear wolves howling at night, they’re most likely communicating with one another. There is no connection between wolves and the full moon. - Wolf pups don’t open their eyes for 2 or more weeks after they are born – TRUE
Wolf pups are born both blind and deaf. They open their eyes about 2 weeks after birth and take a few extra days to see shapes very well. During this time, they stay in their dens and are cared for by their parents.
Help Eastern Wolves with a Wildlife Adoption!
Head to the Adoptions Section in the App!
Homemade potpourri
Homemade potpourri
Time:10 min
Difficulty:Easy
When there are no flowers or fresh cut grass swirling around outside, coming home to a burst of cozy scents can be a real treat in the middle of the winter. Why not make your own at-home scents?
- Pot, mason jar, or shallow heat-proof bowl
- Water
Here’s what you can use:
- Fresh needles from your favourite evergreen tree (pine, spruce, ect.)
- A piece of tree stump (the sappier the better)
- Cinnamon sticks
- Cloves
- Raw cranberries
- Orange slices or peels
- Dried or fresh peppermint leaves (hint: peppermint tea is often pure peppermint leaves)
- Dried or fresh rosemary
- Apple slices
- Cardamom
- Vanilla extract
- Grated nutmeg
Here’s how you make it:
Step 1:
Gather all your ingredients! You can pick any from the list, or come up with some of your own.
Step 2:
Put your ingredients into a heat-proof bowl (or a pot or mason jar) and fill it halfway with water.
Step 3:
Place this in a warm place (safely away from any pets or clumsy family members).
Somewhere like the top of a radiator, over part of a heating vent, or on the stove on the lowest setting if you’re using a pot.
Step 4:
Sit back and enjoy the woody winter scents that fill your home!
What winter scents did you pick? Got any “smells” that you already associate with winter? Let us know in the comments below!
Pixel Puzzler #37: The Great Reveal
We got tons of great guesses on Part 1 of this Pixel Puzzler and now it’s time for the answer. Are you ready for the great reveal? Find out if you got it right!
The answer to this Pixel Puzzler is (drum roll please) a Hippo! How did you do? Tell us in the comments!
Can you wolf-igure out what’s true or false?
Have you heard of the big bad wolf? Ever been told stories about wolves eating children, or told “Don’t cry wolf”?
These fairytales make wolves out to be scary beasts, but in reality, they are far from evil! The number of wild wolf attacks is very low. In fact, wolves would rather avoid humans completely.
Where did these myths come from? They started at a time when wolf populations were in conflict with farmers, who were angry because their sheep and cattle were being preyed on. Today, you can find these and many other stories about wolves, but which ones are true?
True or false?
Earth Rangers, let’s put your wolf knowledge to the test! Can you figure out which facts are true and which are false? Write your guesses in the comments.
- A wolf’s sense of smell is roughly 100 times stronger than a human’s
- Wolves are a threat to the elk population
- Wolves are the biggest members of the Canidae family
- Wolf packs are made up of Alphas, Betas, and Omegas
- Wolves love to howl at the moon at night
- Wolf pups don’t open their eyes for 2 or more weeks after they are born
Check back next week for the answer!
Tap here for more cool stuff like this!
Help Eastern Wolves with a Wildlife Adoption!
Head to the Adoptions Section in the App or visit the Earth Rangers Shop!
Pun-tastic Riddles #5
Pun-tastic Riddles #5
Time:15 min
Difficulty:Hard
Do you enjoy punny animal jokes? We’ve got some fun ones for you! Can you decode the punchline? Use our decoder key below!
Where do fish like to sleep?
What would’ve been a better name for a lion instead of King of the Jungle?
What speed do Seahorses swim?
Think you got them all? Tap on the puzzle image to see the answer!
Ultimate Guide to National Parks: Zion
Emma finally makes her way to Zion National Park where she meets a familiar face.
Tune in for your chance to listen to the first ever recording of “Flyin’ with Ryan”
Emma has made her way back down to the United States to visit Zion National Park. Her tour of national parks takes her to meet an old rival – Ryan! What has Ryan been doing, and why does he want to meet Emma?
Zion National Park stands out from Utah’s five other national parks. More than its outstanding sandstone cliffs, or impressive canyons, Zion also possesses a dense forest and beautiful waterfalls.
The diverse landscape gives visitors a lot to do. When visiting Zion, you can go hiking, rock climbing, or even partake in stargazing or bird-watching. It is also a popular canyoneering destination.
Canyoneering is a different way of exploring, by traveling through the canyons of the park! You might need to climb up or down rock surfaces, wade through water, slide down some water slides, or squeeze through tight passages.
In Zion, there are more than 7 routes you can take while canyoneering. It requires experienced guides to get through the canyon safely. These park rangers know all about the conservation of the land, and the regulations needed to protect not only you but the animals that live there.
What about Ryan?
And how about Ryan? What has he been doing since he lost the Quest for the Best?
Ryan is familiarizing himself with the environment of Zion National Park. He’s still learning a lot about the place, and is trying to make up for all the wrong he did over the last season. He wants to do better, and had tried to cheat during the race because he didn’t think he could beat Emma fair and square with how much she’s done for the podcast.
His journey to improvement starts with an apology. It seems, when they are not competing over who gets to be podcast host that both Emma and Ryan can be friends! Their time together is short and sweet, with Emma leaving Ryan with a special something: The mysterious pouch Adelia had passed on to her.
What do you think of Zion National Park? What about Ryan? Was it a good thing for Emma to gift Adelia’s pouch to him? Got any ideas of where Emma could go next?
Ask Megan Quinn Anything About Otters, Wolves, and Moose!
Have you ever wanted to know what a river otter eats for lunch? What about where moose go to stay warm in the winter, or why wolves like to live in packs?
Well, it’s your lucky day! This year, Earth Rangers has partnered with Megan Quinn, a conservation biologist who works with the Nature Conservancy of Canada, to support her research preserving otter, moose, and Eastern wolf habitat in a beautiful, forested area of Canada called the Frontenac Arch. And Megan can’t wait to answer all your questions about her work with these incredible animals!
Comment below with your questions for Megan! You can ask her for information about the animals she works with, the forest she works in, or even about her day-to-day life working as a conservationist! Maybe you’re curious about what she eats for breakfast before a big day of hiking through the forest, or how she stays safe around wild animals like wolves. Maybe you want to know why she chose to become a conservationist, or how you could pursue a job in conservation where you grow up. Or maybe you just want to know how big moose are in real life. Whatever you want to know, sound off in the comments!
We’ll select three to five of the best questions you post and share them with Megan. Check back in the New Year for her responses!
In the meantime, head over to the Earth Rangers Shop to purchase your own moose, otter, or Eastern wolf adoption kit and support Megan’s work!
Do you have any questions for Megan Quinn?
Would you Rather #56
