10 Let’s Talk Trash! MAR/ APR 2021
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WHY ARE SOME ANIMALS SO COLORFUL?
The Guacamaya Roja ,also known as the Scarlet Macaw , is mainly found in Costa Rica National Park and the Osa peninsula. These large birds are red, blue, and yellow and can weigh up to 2.3 pounds when an adult. They are native to humid evergreen forests of Tropical Central and South America. The eyes of the scarlet macaws are surrounded by white feathers, and the eyes are located on the sides of their heads. These majestic creatures are highly intelligent and can even get bored if they haven’t had enough socialization. While you would think their colorful feathers would give them away to predators,they actually allow the birds to be camouflaged with flowers, fruits, and The Mandarin Frog is a unique rainforest inhabitant. It is also one of the most interesting frogs known to mankind since they are so unique. The Common name for these creatures is the Red -Eyed Frog. It is a rainforest amphibian with a size 1.5 to 2.75 inches, which is relative to a teacup! However, males are smaller than the females. Males usually bounce on leaves to inform the females they are in the vicinity. Camouflage is a strong suit for them. Sticking to leaves, they lower their bodies so they appear to be part of the plant! They do this in order to prevent predators from attacking. The small bodies make it hard for giant predators to catch them. Plus their neon The Mandarin Fish, which is a brightly colored part of the dragonet family, is a very unique fish. It is known as the most colorful fish in the world. Although from the outside the fish looks beautiful, it is actually very harmful and smelly when it defends itself from hungry predators. Not only is this toxic mucus coating dangerous, particularly if it makes it into a predator’s open wound, but reportedly, it smells disgusting. The mandarin fish needs the smell and the spines, because it lacks one of the most basic protective measures in the marine world: It doesn’t have scales! One of its predators is the scorpionfish. The mandarin colorful fish defends itself with toxins that are released when in danger. It also has tiny spikes along its body to help keep away
berries in the rainforest. Their diet consists of nuts, leaves, berries, seeds, and can actually eat fruits that are toxic enough to kill other animals. While they aren’t endangered, they are at risk due to deforestation and being captured for pet trade. Macaws are social animals so they are typically found with a flock or a mate. When macaws are mates, you can tell because they display affection by licking on the others face. Scarlett macaws mate for life. They are never alone unless they are feeding while the other stays with their eggs. The birds young usually hatch after twenty-four to twenty-five days and the mother usually lays around two to four eggs. The baby macaws usually stay around their parents for about two to three years before they go off on their own. bodies help them hide from predators. These amphibians can be poisonous as they release toxins from their skin. They can stick to tree branches and jump off. They have amazing agility, and are also known for jumping long widths. They are “treetops”, which means they are frequently found staying high above the tree lines. Their diet is a carnivorous, which means they feed on flesh, much like mosquitoes and lady bugs. The average life span is 5 years, a very short life lived. The frog has dark red eyes, and they are believed to shock predators. They are found in tropical lowlands such as Mexico and Central Mexico . predators. Although a male which is notably lager than a female, can grow to maximum of 6 centimeters, it is amazing that it can do all these amazing things. This goes to show that dynamite does come in small packages. The mandarin fish has very similar eating habits compared to birds. A mandarin fish’s appetite includes small crustaceans known as copepods. Some can be converted into eating pellets and frozen brine shrimp or mysis shrimp. The mandarin fish is endangered with only 1000 left in the wild and 10000 in captivity. The mandarin fish is native to the Pacific, ranging approximately from the Ryukyu Islands south to Australia. These fish are very popular in saltwater aquariums.
The Guacamaya Roja
FACTS: Mass: 2.3 lbs (Adult) Scientific name: Ara macao Length: 2.9 ft. Rank: Species Did you know: Scarlet macaw
is very popular as a house pet because of its intelligence and ability to quickly learn to speak (repeat the words and sounds), perform tricks and distinguish colors and shapes
Mandarin Frog
FACTS: Common Name: Red-Eyed Tree Frog Scientific Name: Agalychnis callidryas Type: Amphibians Diet: Carnivores Group Name: Army Average life span in The Wild: 5 years
Mandarin Fish
FACTS: Scientific name: Synchiropus splendidus Class: Actinopterygii Order: Callionymiformes Rank: Species Family: Callionymidae
Did you know: S. splendidus is one of only two vertebrate species known to have blue colouring because of cellular pigment, the other being the closely related psychedelic mandarin
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