Alligators vs. Crocodiles

While alligators and crocodiles share a lot of similarities and are often confused, there's an easy way to tell them apart.

One generally reliable rule is that alligators have U-shaped heads, while crocodiles are V-shaped - which can be remembered by noting that "A" in alligator comes before "C" in crocodile, and "U" comes before "V."  If you're still confused, try to get a look at their mouth.  In alligators only the upper teeth can be seen with the jaws closed.  In crocodiles upper and lower teeth can be seen.

Hungry, Hungry Aardvark?

You remember the game Hungry, Hungry Hippos?  You try to make your hippo gobble up as much food as possible while playing.  Well, the game's creator should have named it 'Hungry, Hungry Aardvarks' instead, considering the aardvark can eat 50,000 termites in one sitting!

Termites must be to the aardvark, what Lay's potato chips are to humans...you can't eat just one!

National Kids & Pets Day

Created in 2005, National Kids & Pets Day celebrates the bond between little ones and their furry friends!  It also helps create awareness of the abundance of pets living in shelters waiting to find a forever home!

Please visit the site below to learn more about National Kids & Pets Day!

 

National Kids & Pets Day

Catnapping Koalas

Ever had one of those days where you just want to go back to bed?  If so, you might be envious of the life of a Koala.  Because their diet of eucalyptus leaves is so low in nutrition, they don't have energy to do much. 

Typically during the day they doze, tucked into forks or nooks in the trees, sleeping between 18-20 hours a day.

World Penguin Day

Today, April 25th, is World Penguin Day!  

What's not to love about these guys?  They're highly social and not afraid of humans, they slide on their bellies and they always look like they're headed someplace fancy in their tuxedo looking coloring.

Here's some of our favorite penguin photos!

Crazy About Cardinals

This bright red bird seems to be a favorite of the American people.  The northern cardinal is so well loved that it has been named the official bird of seven U.S. states, which is more than any other species.  North Carolina, West Virginia, Virginia, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky all have selected the cardinal to represent their state.

The cardinal is also the mascot of a number of athletic teams. In professional sports, both the St. Louis Cardinals and the Arizona Cardinals sport the red bird.  In college athletics, it's the school mascot for the University of Louisville, Illinois State University, Ball State University, Wesleyan University, Lamar University, North Idaho College, Saint John Fisher College, Wheeling Jesuit University, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, the Catholic University of America and the State University of New York at Plattsburgh.

The Starfish: An Unsuspected Predator of The Sea

Don't be fooled by their playful shape and colorful exterior.  Starfish, or sea stars as they are otherwise known, are carnivores waiting to feast on other sea life.

Most sea stars have the ability to consume prey outside their own bodies. Using small, suction-cupped tube feet, they pry open oysters or clams, and their sack-like cardiac stomach comes out of their mouth and fills up it's prey's shell. The stomach then wraps up the prey to digest it, and finally pulls it back into the body.

Get That Gorilla A Tissue

Did you know that a gorilla can catch the human cold and other viruses?  Due to the fact that gorillas are physically similar to the human race, a gorilla can catch every disease that we do. 

Just like humans who are battling the bug, a gorilla will show symptoms like a runny nose, sneezing, coughing and lethargy.  Someone get that gorilla a tissue!  Also, if one gorilla gets the flu, like humans, the virus can spread quickly to it's companions.  To prevent the spread of viruses, some zoo's have been giving their gorillas flu shots since 2005.

A Pigeon Of A Different Color

Poor American pigeons. They were stuck with bland, dull grey feathers, while they're exotic cousins got all of the colorful plumage. Take a look at this example, the Nicobar pigeon.

This pretty pigeon is found on small islands and the coastal regions of land throughout the eastern Indian Ocean. They are larger than their American counterparts, and feed on seeds, fruit and buds. 

The Glass Frog

No, this pictures isn't a scientific model used to students can see the inner workings of a frog. This is a glass frog, which has a translucent abdomen.

Glass frogs are found in Central America and South America. They are small frogs, ranging just 1.2 to 3.0 inches in length. From above, they have a lime green color and look like most other frogs. It's only from the bottom that they're amazing see-through skin can be see.

Learning With Safari Ltd.

We've written before about how Safair Ltd. figurines can be used for learning and education (but still fun) play. But lately it seems like we've come across blog post after blog post from parents and teachers discussing the different ways (and lessons) they used the figurines for. If you're looking for some new ideas, check out one of these links!

Community Helpers: Who Does Why by Crayon Freckles

Learning With Safari Ltd. Backyard Birds by Inspiration Laboratories

Arctic Ice Sensory Tub by No Time For Flash Cards

Making Play-Doh Animal Tracks by The Pleasantest Thing

Landmark Mix & Match (Geographical Exploration) by Thirty Mommy

Teaching Pre-Schoolers About Habitats by Carrots Are Orange

DIY Penguin Board Game by Childhood Beckons

Don't forget that The Jungle Store has a great collection of Safari Ltd. figurines and figures! And visit the Safari Ltd. Pinterest board for even more resources on how to teach your children through play.