Wildlife Encounters: Plant Protectors!

On Wednesday, we were visited once again by Wildlife Encounters who came to show us animals that help plants grow by spreading their seeds and protecting them from pests!

The first animal Jean showed us was a Millipede, which is an Arthropod. It lives in leaves, helping them decompose and add nutrients back into the soil!

The next animal we saw was a Green McCaw named Noah. We learned that birds poop every 15-20 min to ensure they are never too heavy to fly, which means the seeds they eat are still able to grow even after they get digested! Noah is a Herbivore and eats fruit seeds berries, and he can break open a walnut with his beak. His feathers are the colors of the rain forests so he can camouflage himself when he is out in his natural habitat, and the red helps them blend in with the rest of their flock.

Afterwards, we met a Fennec Fox named Radar, which helps plants by eating small insects and rodents that with otherwise be eating the plants. Native to Africa, he uses his large ears to find his prey and uses his long, furry tail to keep him warm on cold desert nights.

We then met another animal that eats plant predators, but this time it was an amphibian! Sugar Cane Toads are native to South America, and like the Fennec Fox, the Sugar Cane Toad protects the sugar cane by eating the insects trying to feast on the plant!

We then saw an animal that MANY of us have seen around our own community, which was a Skunk! While skunks like Fauna also help plants by eating pests that try to eat them, she also helps plants by digging in the ground and aerating the soil, making it healthier for plants to grow in. We also learned that skunks give you a few warning signs before they will spray you:

1. Thump the ground with their hind legs

2. Stick Up Their Tail

3. Turn Around

Even then, it will take them a few more seconds to muster up their spray, so RUN! 

Don't worry, Fauna was de-stinked before she came for her visit! 

Lastly, we saw a Red-Tailed Boa Constrictor, which also helps with pest control around plants. These snakes live in trees around South America

Afterwards, we all had the chance to touch the snake and ask Jean any other questions we had. We are so grateful to her and all the wonderful folks over at Wildlife Encounters for bringing these animals to us!