Wildlife Observations Background Information

Mammals Mammals are endothermic – Endothermic – They produce their own body heat. They are vertebrates (they have backbones), have hair on their skin, and mothers feed their young milk. Some examples of mammal homes include messy-looking nests in trees (squirrels) and burrows (woodcucks). Mammals usually have relatively sold scat, or feces (especially plant eaters), in pellets or large pieces

Birds Birds are endothermic vertebrates that lay eggs. They have feathers and wings (not all birds have feathers), hollow bones (to be light), and most can fly. Often birds’ distinctive calls can be heard before they are spotted. They usually have well- constructed nests. Look for their not-so-solid, white or green/brown scat on sidewalks, on buildings, near nests, etc…

Invertebrates Invertebrates have no backbone, so any insect, spider, slug, crayfish, or worm will qualify. Many invertebrates, like ants and beetles, have an exoskeleton, or a hard shell, which protects their soft inner body parts. Look for homes on the ground and under logs or rocks (but be careful not to disturb them too much).

Amphibians Amphibians are ectothermic animals, which means they depend on outside temperature factors to regulate. They have backbones, and usually have moist skin, but no scales. Most live the first part their lives in water, like the tadpoles, then at least partially on land as adults(like frogs). And live around the gooey places in the water.

Reptiles Are ectothermic, so they are inactive in cold weather. They do have backbones(like snakes)and dry, scaly skin. Some walk on four legs, some slither, and most lay leathery eggs.

Fish Are endothermic, but since water Temptures fluctuate less then air, they might be found swimming even in winter. Many are oviparous,wich mean that hatch outside the body. All fish have backbones, and they usually have fins and a scaly body. Fish breathe through gills, and most spend all of there time in water.

Plants Plants need sunlight to make their food and produce oxygen through a process called photosynthesis; 6CO 2 + 6H 2 O =light energy=> C 6 H 12 O 6 + 6O 2 Plants need solar collectors (leaves), and something to hold them down in the soil. Plants soak up and move water & nutrients throughout their systems.

Fungi Do not use photosynthesis to make food. Stringy fibers called filaments, make up the largest part of a fungus. They spread onto decaying logs and other food. They break down these materials & return nutrients to the soil.

Lichen It grows on rocks and trees Has flat leaf-like growths that splay out in a rounded pattern. It is a type of fungus or algae

Mosses Are very similar to fungus. They are found in many moist, shady side of trees and rocks. They use photosynthesis to make food. They are soft and spongy.