Greetings!
2011 was an amazing year for Erik and me. We started a facebook page last February and have over 100 "likes" thanks to friends like you! Not So Creepy Critters appeared in many newspapers all over the United States after the associated press picked up a Corpus Christi Caller Times article, written by Mike Smith.
Erik and I moved to New Braunfels in July and have enjoyed exploring Central Texas. We miss the beach, but love the hill country! And then there's the trip to Chicago! A producer for the Rosie O'Donnell Show saw the article that was published in the Caller Times and called us! We drove to Chicago instead of flying since we were traveling with so many critters. We took Douglas, Reggie, Boo, Drew, a couple of roach colonies and Emperor Scorpions. We had an amazing trip and learned a lot on our 38 hour drive! ~Courtney |
*Participate in one fun run each month
*Have more success with organic gardening
*Get better at skateboarding
*Grow Not So Creepy Critters~Erik
*Laugh everyday
*Continue to explore Central Texas
*Visit lots of schools and meet students of all ages
*Publish second book~Courtney
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Squirrels
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www.notsocreepycritters.com
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Squirrel Taxonomy
Kingdom animalia
Phylum chordata
Class mammalia
Order rodentia
Family sciuridae
Squirrels are rodents. The order rodentia has 1,650 different species making it the largest group of mammals. In the seven families of squirrels there are about 365 species!
Baby squirrels only weigh an ounce at birth. They're blind for the first 6 -8 weeks of their life. An adult squirrel eats about a pound of food a week to stay healthy and maintain energy. Adults usually live by themselves, but will occasionally nest with a few others when temperatures are low.
A tree squirrel is the cleanest of all rodents. Their teeth grow about 6 inches each year, but squirrels keep their teeth filed down by chewing on branches. Sometimes they'll chew on power lines and cause problems!
The smallest squirrel is the African pygmy, and it is about 5 inches long from the tip of its nose to the end of its tail. The largest squirrel is the Indian Giant squirrel and is about 3 feet long!
Flying squirrels don't really fly. They're superb at gliding and can glide up to 150 feet!
Sometimes squirrels will try crossing roads. Unfortunately for them, they have a strange defense mechanism that fails to work when meeting cars. Squirrels will dance back and forth moving in a crazy pattern to confuse predators. I think you know the rest of that story!
~Courtney
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Bats
Most bats are like I am - we like warm climates! In Texas there are 32 bat species, and in Michigan there only 10 species. We have a whole lot of insects here in Texas, and one bat can eat thousands of insects each night! Bats live in buildings, in mines, under bridges and in trees. If you were a bat, where would you want to live?
Now it's time for some myth busters!Bats are blind. = MYTH!All bats carry rabies. = MYTH!Bats are related to mice.= MYTH!Bats will fly into your hair and get caught. = MYTH! Truths about BatsBats are helpful to the environment. Bats eat a ton of insects!Bats are pollinators!Bats spread seeds!Bats are the only flying mammal.Bats use echolocation! Echolocation is where the bat makes a noise with its mouth or nose. This noise bounces off an object and goes back to the bat. Have you ever made an echo with your voice? Bats can read their echos and find out the size, shape, texture, and location of objects. This helps them navigate and find prey! Check out our first Not So Creepy Critter VIDEO BLOG! Learn more about bats and how you can help them! ~Erik
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Building Bat Houses
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 | | Lynn's Bearded Dragons |
Erik and I have been invited to present at the Repticon Reptile Show February 18th and 19th! Repticon is a nationwide series of reptile conventions featuring responsible breeders, vendors selling exotic pet products, and hands-on presenters. Erik and I will also have a table set up at the convention to sell tarantulas and our Not So Creepy Critters book. Click the photo of the bearded dragons for tickets and a map to Ellis, Texas. Hope to see you there! ~Courtney
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New and Improved Newsletters for 2012!
| Each month Courtney and I will feature:
* Science Experiment - try a new experiment monthly! *Tarantula Species - learn more about tarantulas!
*Critter Country - explore the world and find out where critters live in the wild!
*Video Blog - Come along for the adventure! Courtney & I are planning many field trips and fun projects in 2012, and we want YOU to join us! Help us grow our contact list by forwarding our newsletters!  ~Erik |
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Science Experiment
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Gather ~
black pepper, a bowl, soap, and water
Fill the bowl with water and sprinkle a bunch of pepper on top. Touch the pile of pepper with your finger. What happens? Exactly nothing! Now put a little soap on your finger and try touching the pile of pepper. What happens? Why? Here's a hint - surface tension ~Check back next month for the explanation and another experiment!
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Featured Tarantula
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This Pink Toe Tarantula is featured in our new book, Not So Creepy Critters. Pink Toe Tarantulas are arboreal, which means they live in the trees. They're a smaller species reaching only 4 1/2 to 5 inches when fully-grown.
Pink Toe Tarantulas have a special defense mechanism. They're often on small branches making it difficult to flick urticating hairs. Urticating hairs are tiny hairs on the abdomen of tarantulas from the western hemisphere. The itchy hairs are often kicked into a predator's face giving the tarantula time to escape. Some tarantulas bite as a defense, but Pink Toes have fragile fangs. Instead of relying on urticating hairs or biting, a Pink Toe Tarantula will shoot poop at its predator!
~Courtney
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Brazil Facts National Geographic for Kids
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Featured Country- Brazil
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Pink Toe Tarantulas can be found in the wild in Brazil, Costa Rica, and southern Caribbean. Pink Toe Tarantulas live in the rain forest in Brazil. Brazil is the 5th largest country in the world with over 192 million people. There are 4,655 miles of gorgeous coastline. Have you seen the movie Rio? The setting is in Rio De Janeiro, a famous harbor in Brazil.
The most famous river in Brazil is the Amazon River.
Portuguese is the official language in Brazil, but German, Italian and native languages are also spoken.
~Erik
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