Snapping Turtles

On vacation in Minnesota, Samuel had a real life run in with a snapping turtle! This HUGE turtle was sitting in the middle of the road and was not letting our car pass by. He took a huge swipe at our tire the first time we tried to pass by, so we got out of the car to try to persuade him to move, but he was NOT budging! We finally went close to into the ditch to pass by and he still took a swipe at our car. So Samuel's advice is to stay clear of snapping turtles!!!

Latern Shark

The Latern Shark

Some sharks glow in the dark! Do you see something shiny in the water? Watch out! Tiny lantern sharks are covered with glow-in-the dark slime. The lantern shark is a deap sea shark and many deep sea animals glow. Scientists think glowing might help predators attract prey.

Field Museum

The boys have been finishing up second grade and have officially graduated to third!! So now to update the website after quite a break. Speaking of break, during spring break in April, Samuel toured the big musuems in Chicago and got to study those reptiles and whales a little more. At the Field Musuem in Chicago, you have to start with the dinosaur SUE, which is right when you walk into the musuem. Here are pictures of the whole skeleton and then just her head.



The other cool thing they had there was a skeleton of a whale, which of course was HUGE. Here is the whale's flipper/hand.



The whale's mouth



The whale's Spine



Snake skeleton


Reptile Teeth

Humpback Whales

With long fore-flippers outstretched like wings, humpbacks lift their bodies above the water's surface into the air. Humpbacks have large pleated throats and baleen plates to filter small fish and other animals from the water. A humpback whale's tail is so wide that you wouldn't fit it in your bedroom! The shapes and color pattern of a humpback whale's tail are as distinctive as a person's fingerprint.

Shark Awards

The boys have given out their shark awards!!

1. Weirdest Shark: Hammerhead

2. Fastest Shark: Mako Shark

3. Smallest Shark: Spined Pygmy Shark

4. Creepiest: Great White Shark

Random Facts

Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths.

~Psalm 148:7

Here are some random facts from the boys:

1.  Baby reptiles have a special tooth to cut their way out of the egg.  The tooth falls off once it has done it's job.

2.  Snakes don't feel slimy.  They are dry, cool and pleasant to touch. (Editors note:  I don't agree...they are NOT pleasant to touch!)

3.  Sadly, the beautiful skins of many reptiles are used for leather goods such as wallets, belts, shoes and bags.

Reptile & Snake Jokes of the Day!

1.  What do you get when you cross a frog and a dog?

2.  What do you get if you cross a science fiction movie with a toad?

3.  What is a snake's favorite subject in school?

4.  What do baby pythons play with?

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THE ANSWERS:

1.  A Croaker Spaniel

2.  Star Warts

3.  Hiss-tory

4.  Rattle Snakes