Sidhe Hound

Surrounded by wildflowers, a bull bison enjoys the morning in Hayden Valley, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Cicadas are a group of insects most famously known for their long dormancy, large population booms, and shrieking songs. In fact, these insects are specially adapted to make their songs as loud as possible: individuals have a muscle that can be pulled back and forth up to 600 times a second, and the sound is amplified by their mostly hollow abdomens.

Kagu (Rhynochetos jubatus)

(Photo by David Irving)

Conservation Status- Endangered

Habitat- New Caledonia

Size (Weight/Length)- 55 cm; 75 cm wingspan

Diet- Insects; Worms; Lizards

Cool Facts- The kagu is perhaps the jazziest bird in the world. Near flightless, kagu prefer to spend their days on the ground and use their wings for display or gliding. Being territorial, kagu live in small, mostly male groups led by a dominant female and male. Being monogamous, kagu win a mate through posturing and flaring their head feathers. A female lays a single egg and both parents aid in its incubation. The chick will stay with its parents for up to six years, helping in raising its parents’ future offspring and defend territory. Threatened by invasive species, such as dogs and cats, along with the illegal pet trade, kagu numbers have plummeted. Luckily, several safe zones have been established with the help of native people to protect the kagu and establish it as an emblem animal for New Caledonia.

Crowned Forest Dragon (Lophosaurus dilophus)

(Photo from iNaturalist)

Conservation Status- Least Concern

Habitat- New Guinea; Moluccan Islands

Size (Weight/Length)- 30 cm

Diet- Insects; Worms; Fruits

Cool Facts- Crowned forest dragons are known for their bright green scales and the sharp spines that cover their backs. They are found in heavily forested rainforests, preferring quiet, humid environments. Crowned dragons are mostly arboreal and spend most of their times in tree tops. They spend the majority of their days searching for insects and fruits to eat and then finding a tree hole to sleep in at night. They are not territorial but do not live in groups. Logging and habitat destruction threatens the crowned dragon, but they are relatively unaffected by it. The pet trade also seemingly has no affect on the wild population, but like most large reptiles they are often better left in the wild.

Pteranodon is one of the most iconic and well-known pterosaurs. And, of course, pterosaurs were not dinosaurs!

Design by Greco Westermann

Giant Panda’s Close Relative Lived in Europe as Recently as 5.5 Million Years Ago

Beach field trip

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