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Teachers in the Field |
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Teachers in the Field |
January 19-20, 2002
Humpback sculture by artist Randy Puckett at the entrance to Mote Aquarium |
We will go back to our surveying for dolphins
on the boat this Monday. I know in Rhode Island it is the long Martin
Luther King, Jr. weekend. Maybe some of you are enjoying the snow that fell in Rhode Island over Saturday night. Maybe some of you are happy that the Patriots beat Oakland at Foxboro on Saturday night! I decided to prepare this page with some of the sights at the Mote aquarium which Mrs. McCorry and I visited. We also visited Pelican Man's Bird Sanctuary and helped celebrate Ami's first year at Mote! |
Mangrove roots exhibit |
Mangrove roots! These are native shrubs found along the coast line and the roots reach down in the water and protect the coast from erosion. Among its arching roots small fish find protection from predators. What native plants protect the Narragansett Bay shoreline? |
Spiny lobster |
There are only two species of lobsters.
This is the spiny lobster of Florida. There are no claws!
What is the name of the northern lobster that live on our shores? |
Sheepshead minnows and other fish |
Take a look inside our tank at Quidnessett
and you will find these same little fish.
Without these little fish the food chain would break down, as they are very important feeder fish for larger species. The estuaries in Florida are as vitally important to wildlife as the estuaries in Rhode Island. What is an estuary? Why is it important to wildlife? |
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The Great White shark jaw! I couldn't compete with its huge size! Are there sharks in Narragansett Bay? Sarasota Bay doesn't see any because of its shallow depths. You have to go further out in the Gulf of Mexico. |
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Here is an open fancy reddish scallop. It is filtering food from the water. Do we have scallops in Narragansett Bay? |
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I touched this cute little guy - a Cow nose
ray. It felt like velvet. It will sting you if you step on it in Florida waters. The sting will be painful, but not life-threatening. You should walk with the Florida shuffle - push your feet through the sand and then they will scurry out of your way. Do we have sting rays in Narragansett Bay? |
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| Sharks! The Shark tank is
new to Mote and there were three shark species in it - the Bull Shark (most
dangerous), the Sandbar Shark and the Nurse Shark. NOT to be confused
with dolphins! Remember dolphins are mammals, not fish!
Mote Marine Mammal Center is researching sharks because the shark family, which includes skates and stingrays, have no bony skeleton, only cartilege. Therefore they do not get tumors or cancer. The research will be directed at investigating this and may hold a clue for a cure for human cancers. Did you know that the "Whale shark," which is the largest FISH that ever lived, is a plankton feeder, like the great whales? Thus the name! |
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Dale Shields is well-known as The Pelican Man in Sarasota, Florida. Sarasota leases over 40 acres as a bird sanctuary to The Pelican Man for one dollar a year! This sanctuary is a home and a hospital for injured wildlife. There is a rescue team that is on the road seven days a week picking up injured birds and other wildlife. What does this quote mean to you? You can write about it in your journals. |
"Eddie Egret" |
Great Black-backed gull Do you see his injured wing? |
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Nine out of ten pelicans will be injured
by monofilament fishing line and hooks during their lifetime.
Remember to always put fishing line and hooks in a secure trash can. "PLEASE DON'T FEED BIRDS WHERE YOU FISH!" "DON'T THROW CUT OFF FISHING LINE AWAY! Put it in a trash can. Why do you think one pelican was named "Lucky" and the second pelican, "Troubles"? |
Brattee |
This Brown Pelican is named "Brattee".
He is a famous actor! Brattee had a starring role in the movie, TIN
CUP with Kevin Kostner. Do you recognize him?
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More tomorrow!
Mrs. Johnson
contact
ride1034@ride.ri.net
