Not So Creepy Critters Newsletter
Issue: # 3 November 2010
fall pic hiking
Greetings!


Courtney and I are getting ready for Thanksgiving. Herbs I like to grow and use in Thanksgiving dishes are sage and thyme. Here's a great recipe for an Autumn soup that can be an appetizer on Thanksgiving Day or eaten while you're watching the Cowboys

Curried Butternut Soup Recipe

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
2 stalks celery, diced
2-3 teaspoons mild curry powder
4 cups diced butternut squash
4 to 6 cups vegetable broth
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
� to 1 cup coconut milk

Heat the olive oil in a soup pot, over medium heat. Add the onion, celery and curry powder; stir and cook until the onion softens. Add the squash and broth. Cover the pot and bring to a simmer.

Simmer until the squash is fork tender- about 30 minutes. You can add water to keep the soup from sticking.

Puree the soup until it's smooth. Stir in the maple syrup and coconut milk. Season with sea salt and pepper, to taste.

Football
Click here for
Dallas Cowboy schedule!


                                                ~Erik
 

Orb Weavers
spider at farm


I am thankful for spiders for many reasons. One reason is because they have such unusual qualities, like their ability to produce silk, weave webs and aid in keeping the insect population under control.

A few of the ways spiders  use  their silk is to make orbs, protect egg sacs and to catch prey. Spider silk is stronger, more flexible and lighter than steel. Scientists are interested in using spider silk as an alternative to the synthetic fiber Kevlar that is currently being used when making bulletproof vests and protective clothing. Orb weaving spiders, spiders that weave circular webs, are being used for silk production.

Scientists discover around 400 new spider species each year. In 2000,  a giant orb weaver was discovered in Africa and Madagascar.  The females have a 5 inch leg span, but the males are much smaller. Scientists feared the species was on the verge of extinction; however, in 2000, 3 more  giant orb weavers were discovered in Africa.  

The orb weaver in the photo above is a yellow garden spider. It's scientific name is Argiope aurantia. They will bite if harassed, but their venom is harmless to humans. Yellow garden spiders are most active during the day and beneficial since they eat many flying insects. They will choose a sunny spot to weave their circular web and won't move unless they are not catching enough prey. They build and repair their webs at night.

One of the most famous orb weaving spiders is Charlotte, from the book and movie, Charlotte's Web.  Charlotte was a barn spider who saved a little pig, Wilbur, from a terrible fate. Orb weavers spin amazing patterns in their webs, as explained in the fictional story. Charlotte wrote words like "terrific" and "humble" by weaving them into her web. In reality, Orb weavers could not spin words into a web, but they can spin some amazing patterns.

~Courtney

Events
authors
Courtney, my friend Timmy, and I met authors Jan Peck and David Davis at Oak Park Elementary in October. Mrs. Peck and Mr. Davis write children's books about animals. Click their names to visit their websites and learn more about their books.  

                                                                                                                            ~Erik
Special Thanks!
Erik and I have so many reasons to be thankful in 2010! We have met students, teachers, parents, and friends since starting Not So Creepy Critters in January. We've also learned more about our critters. Thank you, John and Sue Slaughter, for all the hours you've invested teaching us about arachnids!  Thank you, Sally and Don Shore, for our snakes and answering our questions. Erik and I are fortunate to know experts who are willing to teach us so we can pass information on to others who are interested in critters.


                                                                                             ~Courtney
In This Issue
Spider Silk
Events/Books
Organic Gardening
Leopard Geckos
Quick Links
organic gardening
Organic Gardening

I enjoy organic gardening because, I like the reward of eating something I've grown. Gardening organically is important because your plants will be growing in living earth. Living earth is rich soil with microorganisms, earthworms and insects that are helpful to your plants. Earth dwelling insects and earthworms help aerate the soil and provide more organic matter. This organic matter releases nutrients for your plants. Pesticides kill harmful insects, but also kill the helpful organisms that you want in your garden. Living earth gives your plants the nutrients they need to stay healthy and disease free. When I have trouble with my garden I call my good friend, Carolina, who is an amazing organic gardener. I also check The Dirt Doctor's website for information. I am thankful for Carolina and the Dirt Doctor! Check out the Dirt Doctor's website for LOTS of great information!
Dirt Doctor
Click here to view Dirt Doctor's site.
 
 gecko
Leopard Geckos

This is Oleander, a Leopard Gecko. Leopard Geckos are native to Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India. Because they are docile and require little care, Leopard Geckos make great pets. They eat crickets, mealworms, or roaches. We bought Blaptica dubia roaches and started our own roach colony for feeding some of our animals. In the wild, all geckos will eat scorpions. Like the Meer cat, geckos are immune to scorpion venom.


Leopard Geckos were first bred in the USA in the 1970's, and since then they have become very popular.  If you decide to buy a Leopard Gecko, we recommend you buy one from a reputable breeder. Choose a gecko with a fat tail, because that's the sign of a healthy gecko. They store their fat in their tail. Geckos can release their tail if they feel threatened, but this is rare. The tail will grow back quickly but won't grow back quite the same. Leopard Geckos have the eyesight of a cat. They can see better than any other lizards that have been studied. Oleander likes to be held and often rides around on our shoulders.



If you'd like more information check out http://www.hisss.net/

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