We need your help! This animal is trying to tell us something but we can’t figure it out! Do you know what are these seals thinking?
Post your ideas in the comment section below.
More Fluff than Fact
Join Earth Ranger Emma for a deep dive into one of history’s most infamous cryptids – the Mothman. Is the truth as spooky as the legend suggests? While Ryan is wrapped up in tales of red-eyed monsters, Emma’s on a mission to sift through the fluff and uncover the real facts. With her science smarts and a knack for debunking myths, Emma’s ready to reveal what might really be lurking in the shadows. Tune in to discover the truth behind the legend!
Ryan’s at it again! In his next episode of “Earth Investigators” he’s talking about the infamous “mothman” cryptid. This has led his rival, our friend Emma to travel to Point Pleasant, West Virginia, where the legend first made its appearance.
Mention of mothman first started in 1966, when a group of friends reported seeing a “tall man” with white wings and glowing red eyes. After this, the story spread like wildfire! People all over Point Pleasant spoke of seeing a creature with red glowing eyes, a large bird or man.
Today, scientists believe that these people mistook the sandhill crane for a monster and spread a legend. In fact… a lot of the details that started the legend sound VERY close to this bird. Large white wings… red eyes… AND THEY’RE SUPER TALL! Big wings of roughly 6’5” in length, that’s larger than the average adult.
Yup, this isn’t a monster but a real animal. The thing is – people of Point Pleasant wouldn’t have had a chance to see a sandhill crane normally. These birds are closer to the middle of the country in Washington, Oregon, California, and Mexico—but never West Virginia. They likely accidentally found themselves flown off-course during their migration flight, landing in the little town of Point Pleasant and spooking its residents. If spooked, these birds would likely spread their wings and take flight, and their eyes reflect in the car lights.
Some might find the sandhill crane to be rather boring compared to the story of mothman. How cool would it be to have a half-man half-moth? They are far from boring! Think of the crazy adventures these sandhill cranes had to have experienced, flying off course and scaring locals. It’s quite a funny story in fact!
What do you think of the Mothman Legend? Do you wish it was real? Do you like the fact they’re really Sandhill Crane?
Let us know some other cool cryptids you wish Ryan or Emma talked about! Ryan’s going nuts coming up with some, but why not talk about other cool legends here?
Banana Giraffe
Banana Giraffe
Time:20 min
Difficulty:Easy
These giraffes go absolutely bananas
- Bananas
- 1 cup of chocolate chips (or chocolate spread)
- Almond, or pretzel pieces
- Something for ears, like raisins, or bits of carrot
Here’s how you make it:
Step 1: Halve your bananas for the body.
Step 2: Put some chocolate spread into a sealable plastic bag.
If you don’t have any chocolate spread, make your own by asking a grown-up to help melt the chocolate chips. Please wait until it’s room temperature before putting it into the bag.
Step 3: Cut one of the bottom corners of the chocolate bag and carefully make tiny dots on your banana.
OPTIONAL: If you want extra-chocolaty giraffes, you can use the spread to stick chocolate chips to the banana!
Step 4: On the side of your banana, push in an almond or pretzel piece.
Step 5: Cut two little holes at the top of the banana. Slide in your raisins or bits of carrot. These are your giraffe horns (actually called Ossicones). Add some chocolate eyes, and you have yourself a banana giraffe!
That’s it — your super sweets are ready to go!
Way to Go, Earth Ranger Addison! She Raised Over $1,000 to Save Swift Foxes!
This summer, we challenged kids across Canada to Take a Stand for Wildlife. We gave Earth Rangers the tools to launch their own fundraising campaigns and collect donations to support wildlife conservation. It was incredible to see our community come together and raise money to save animals – in all kinds of creative ways! Whether you set up a lemonade stand, sold pretty handmade crafts, or got creative with chocolate chips for a bake sale, every Earth Ranger who participated made a difference for animals.
We’d like to take this moment to celebrate one very special Earth Ranger: Addison from British Columbia. Addison raised a whopping $1,007.75 to save swift foxes, an adorable animal that was, until very recently, extirpated from Canada’s prairies. (Extirpated means that a species has gone extinct in one area, but it still lives in other places.) Thanks to the hard work of conservationists, swift foxes have returned to Canada in small numbers. But they need our help in order to keep growing and thriving.
In addition to collecting donations online, Addison went from door to door in her neighborhood selling delicious homemade cookies and beautiful hand-crafted bracelets. She got a lot of no’s and some funny looks, but she didn’t give up. Her goal was to raise $500 – and she more than doubled it!
We asked Addison all about her successful campaign – keep scrolling to read all about how she persevered and raised so much money to save swift foxes! Plus, she gives her fellow Earth Rangers some great advice for making a difference and protecting animals.
What makes swift foxes special to you? Why did you choose to fundraise for them?
I picked the swift fox because I wanted a creature that wasn’t as commonly supported as animals like the polar bear or grizzly bear but also an animal that lived in Canada, and since I’ve always had an affinity for canines the swift fox was the perfect pick!
What was your original fundraising goal and what did you achieve?
My original fundraising goal was $500 because I felt that it was reasonable but would still significantly help the swift fox. However I ended up raising $1,007.75!
What was the hardest part about fundraising?
The hardest part about fundraising was when I went door to door, selling cookies and bracelets. I got a lot of no’s and some people gave me funny looks, but I didn’t let that stop me and because of that perseverance my bake and bracelet sale raised $150.
What part was the most fun?
I had lots of fun creating the pamphlet that I handed out when I sold my bracelets and cookies. As part of the door to door sales portion of my fundraising campaign I wanted to not only raise money but inform people about the swift fox and about Earth Rangers if they weren’t familiar with the topics.
What did you discover about yourself through this challenge?
I learned a lot about perseverance. Raising money was hard especially because during the door to door portion of my campaign I got a lot of no’s and was originally very discouraged but I stuck with it and am very proud of both myself and my results!
What advice would you give to other young people who want to fundraise but don’t know where to start?
My advice would be to think about your skills, think about what gets you excited, think about what kind of cause you or people you know would want to donate money to and then just get started. Figure things out as you go because you never know what you can accomplish until you try.
Pixel Puzzler #52: 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 wolf! How did you do? Tell us in the comments!
Tap here for more cool stuff like this!
Un-loching the Nessie Nonesense
Join Earth Ranger Emma on an adventure to the misty Scottish Highlands, where she tackles one of the world’s greatest mysteries: the Loch Ness Monster! Is Nessie just a tall tale, or could there be something lurking beneath those murky waters? While Ryan is determined to prove the monster’s existence, Emma sets off on a mission to uncover the truth with a splash of science, a bit of history, and a few surprises. Will she find the Loch Ness Monster, or just more fish tales? Tune in to find out!
Ryan’s back…and he’s started a new podcast “Earth Investigators”. But there’s one problem – it’s shares a ton of info that’s wrong! Ryan’s on a mission to prove creatures like mothman or the yeti are real. These myths have been spread for ages, are fun tales… but they’re not real! Emma is determined to debunk them with science and facts and prove that many cryptid sightings can be linked to some very real – yet no less fascinating animals.
Emma’s first myth-busting adventure takes her to the heart of Scotland to a special freshwater loch: Loch Ness! She’s here to investigate the renowned Loch Ness Monster, or Nessie for short.
Word of Nessie’s existence first began back in the 7th Century, when a medieval monk named Adomnán wrote a book describing a dangerous beast who swam the waters of the River and Loch. The legend, not too unlike the grim fairy tales, was supposed to warn the people of that time to stay safe. Especially during stormy and dark nights, the idea of a monster out there will keep reckless swimmers from getting into danger.
The legend was then passed down through the generations, especially showing up in the 1930s when Robert Kenneth Wilson supposedly took “the surgeon’s photograph” to prove Nessie’s existence. This photo was revealed to be a hoax, crafted out of a toy submarine and wood putty pieces.
Earlier the same year that the photo was taken, Arthur Grant reported that thought he’d passed by the monster on his motorcycle. It is believed that he mistook a seal or an otter in the dark and exaggerated the encounter. As technology has advanced sonar readings of the loch prove that there is no monster swimming in its waters…
What do you think of the Loch Ness Monster Legend? Do you wish it was real?
Let us know some other cool cryptids you wish Ryan or Emma talked about! Ryan’s going nuts coming up with some, but why not talk about other cool legends here?
Bug Observation Pod
Bug Observation Pod
Time:30 mins
Difficulty:Easy
Ever wanted to observe a bug up close? It’s easy! All you need to do is craft a bug observation pod and go to your nearest outdoor space!
Here’s what you need:
- A big clear plastic bottle (like a juice bottle)
- Breathable material, like mesh or cheesecloth
- Duct tape
- Natural materials like bark, moss, pine cones, and small sticks (anything bugs might like to crawl on)
- A box cutter
- Scissors
- A grownup’s help
Here’s how you make it:
Step 1: Have your grownup use a box cutter to cut a rectangular opening in the side of the bottle. Use scissors to trim a piece of mesh slightly larger than the opening.
Step 2: Fill the bottle with grass, leaves, rocks, sticks, and anything else you think bugs would like to crawl on.
Step 3: Use the duct tape to tape the screen mesh over the opening.
Step 4: Unscrew the top. It’s time to look around and collect some bugs!
Step 5: When you’re finished collecting, screw the cap back on. It’s time to observe! What kinds of bugs did you find? How do they move? How do they act together?
REMEMBER: When you’re done observing, gently return the bugs to their natural habitat!
Take your bug observation pod to the next level! Snap some awesome pictures of those who visit your bug hotel for the “Backyard Biologist” contest! Remember, the more creative and descriptive your submission is, the more points you’ll earn! Good luck!
Generously Supported By:
Do you have what it takes to become a Backyard Biologist?
Fall leaves clutter the ground, the skies are getting darker and animals are preparing to migrate. This is the perfect time for budding backyard biologists to get out and catch new sights!
What’s a backyard biologist? Well, it’s someone who explores natural areas to study the amazing plants and wildlife they’re filled with! You don’t need to go far: just step out into your garden, visit a nearby park, or walk along a trail. If you head out now, animals of all shapes and sizes will be preparing for the winter to come, and this is the best time to see them!
Don’t Forget This Important Tool!
One important tool for any good backyard biologist is a camera. This can be a phone camera, a small one, or a big fancy one. The type of camera doesn’t matter, it’s the experience and the photos taken that count!
Taking photos of what we’re researching is key to later understanding what happens around us. While you’re on a walk, or simply exploring your backyard, many fabulous moments can be captured and remembered.
Don’t Miss the Small Things!
While you’re out, don’t forget to look down, Earth Ranger! So much happens under our feet that we don’t pay attention to. Lift a couple of dead leaves, and you might find some critters crawling about! A good backyard biologist should investigate these hidden lives.
Need more tips and tricks to become a backyard biologist? Check out the Backyard Biologist Mission! We’ll give you a guide to help you identify your creepy and cool fall findings, and when you submit your Mission, your work as a backyard biologist will become part of what we call “citizen science”, where the public (you, your friends, family, and neighbours) help collect and analyze data that can improve the scientific community. This is super important, but it can also be SUPER FUN!
Don’t Miss the Contest!
Now that you know how important (and fun) citizen science is, and you’re ready to become a backyard biologist, wanna win cool prizes while you’re out?!
Until November 18th 2024, you can win when you enter our Backyard Biologist contest! Submit a picture of the wildlife in your neighbourhood, backyard, or fave outdoor space, and you’ll be entered to win 1 of 3 Canon Rebel R100 Camera Prizes AND a framed piece of your photo from Canon’s frame labs and printing service!
We’ve got 3 categories for you to choose from: Backyard Safari, Critter Closeup, and Water Worlds. You can submit one photo for each, or focus on your best try of one. There’s so much to explore!
So, what are you waiting for? Time to head out!
Click here to learn more and submit your pictures!
The Backyard Biologist Contest is generously supported by:
Would you Rather #75
Would you rather…
Tackle The Tote Bag Terror or Outsmart The Organic Ogre?
Tell us which one you pick in the comments!
More “Would You Rather” Questions!
Ready to bust some climate change myths? There is a lot of talk about climate change. What is true and what is totally false? By learning the truth, YOU can help fight climate change for real. Join the Myth-Buster Challenge now! Together, we can create positive change.
