Another Day of Excitement

Today was yet another day of excitement in our learning journey...

 

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The kids and I (along with some homeschool friends) traveled to the Great Smoky Mtns. National Park for a Junior Ranger program called "SLIMY SALAMANDERS"... This is a great program that I have written about before that is sponsored by the National Park Service and led by local Park Rangers... This particular class was being led at the Sugarlands Visitor Center... (this is also another great homeschool find as they have a natural museum with all kinds of examples of wildlife native to East TN and the mtns)...  And the staff is very knowledgeable about other opportunities available in the area...

It was a hot, humid day... But in the mtns., it was bearable... and we got play in the creek..(while we were on the hunt for Salamanders)... *L*

Salamanders 101:     The Smoky Mtns. are a treasure trove for the Salamander hunter with over 30 different types in residence...(also referred to as the "Salamander Capital of the World")...

 

Salamanders are amphibians and their skin is a moist mucous membrane that they actually breathe through.  That is why it is so important when handling them to make sure your hands are wet as they need the moisture for their skin.. One of the most fascinating facts about salamanders is that they can lose their tail (and grow another one) when being attacked by a predator... (like a raccoon, cat, or little boys)... The tail will actually lay  and wiggle after coming off which will allow the salamander time to escape... That was one of the main points that the rangers made to us before we started to catch them...DO NOT GRAB THEM BY THE TAIL... also, another defense mechanism that we witnessed first hand was their ability to "play dead"...Which I must say they can do quite well.. *L*

The natural habitat of the salamander is in small stream / brooks in wet, shady areas under rocks... When turning over the rocks to look for them, you have to be careful as other creepy creatures also live there... we used Zip-lock baggies and just turned over the rock and scooped the salamander into it with a little water... Not too much as they can actually drown...The one we caught was called the "Spotted Dusky Salamander" (which appeared to be a popular one, as alot of people also caught them)... then we also caught a crayfish... The boys were so excited to have caught the salamander and the girls carried the crayfish in their baggie.. They had to be seperated as they might "eat" each other... and for the finishing touch to our adventure, always return the salamander to it's home...

Well, that concludes our adventure for today... Peace and Happy Learning...