Animal Enrichment

In today's post Animal Care Intern, Lia Blondo, discusses the importance of animal enrichment here at Fenner Nature Center!

The Animal Care Intern’s primary responsibility is to make sure that all the animals residing in our Visitor Center are happy and healthy. This includes maintaining a clean habitat, offering fresh food and water regularly, and providing “enrichment” opportunities.  According to the Smithsonian National Zoological Park, “Environmental enrichment is the process of providing stimulating environments for [zoo] animals in order for them to demonstrate their species-typical behavior, to allow them exercise control or choice over their environment, and to enhance their well-being.”

Here at Fenner Nature Center, we work to make sure that our animals are placed in stimulating environments with opportunities to act out their instinctual behaviors. From feeding to habitat design to enrichment devices, everything we do has its place or purpose to enhance the animal’s overall environment.

Ruby and Tabitha, our Eastern Box Turtles, spend most of their time in a large aquarium that has been constructed to replicate their natural environment. With a moist soil substrate and a ramp leading into a water complex at one end of the tank, the turtles have ample floor space to explore and move about. The girls also have plenty of greenery adorning their habitat as well as logs, rocks, and branches to climb up, over and around. The water element provides a replica pond where the turtles can forage for free-ranging fish. In addition, they are fed a variety of fruits and veggies to complement their diet of worms and fish.

Our Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches require little in terms of enrichment, yet are still provided with just as many chances to demonstrate their typical behaviors. Their habitat design places a high priority on climbing space. Just as we like to play “King of the Hill” on mounds or hills, so do the cockroaches like to display dominant behaviors by climbing higher than the other cockroaches. For feeding, the roaches are offered fruits and veggies regularly to replenish lost moisture and nutrients. They can imbibe water from the food they eat as well as from the high humidity level in their enclosure.

Cockroach enjoying a ”salad”!

The salamanders of Fenner Nature Center enjoy burrowing underneath moist soil substrates and sphagnum moss, providing them with both a hiding place and a way to stay hydrated. Salamanders have very thin skin that allows water to move freely in and out of their systems. Because of this, a moist environment is crucial to the health and well-being of the salamander. The salamander enclosures, as well as other animal tanks requiring higher humidity levels are on a timed misting system to ensure that their tanks never become too dry! Their favorite snacks include worms and crickets, both of which could be found in their natural environments.

Juvenile salamander tank – notice the many hiding places!

We currently have two snake species residing at the Visitor Center – our Garter Snake and Eastern Milk Snake. These two prefer enclosures with enough floor space relative to their overall size filled with soils, moss, branches, driftwood, rocks and other objects that satisfy their need to slither over and around obstacles. You’ll find them curled up underneath their heat lamps or stretched out across their tanks. During feeding time, our garter snake loves worms, crickets and feeder fish while our milksnake prefers mice. Regular habitat design changes keeps the snakes interested in exploring their enclosures!

Our other four-legged amphibians – a Gray Tree Frog and Eastern American Toad – are content to stay nestled up on a tree branch or buried in the soil below. Their enclosure has a focus on height elements, using branches and twigs to create mock trees for the frog to sit upon. The tank bottom contains a mix of coconut fiber substrate and sphagnum moss to provide the optimal resting place for the toad. Both are fed either crickets or worms with feeding time used as a sort of natural enrichment for the animals.

And last on the tour of Fenner animals… the common snapping turtles! Our smaller turtle is kept in an aquarium composed of a water element and multiple basking areas underneath a heat lamp. The water is home to a multitude of fish and a sandy bottom, providing the younger turtle with a realistic natural environment. Our larger snapping turtle spends some of his time in an aquarium filled with just the right amount of water and a basking rock perfect for getting a little extra heat. Regular water testing ensures that the water quality is just right for the turtles. For recreation, our larger turtle is often given the chance to stretch his legs and explore the nature center on his own!

Why not explore the nature center for yourself and come see all of our animals in person? Consider it a form of “human enrichment” as you wander our Visitor Center and learn all that the natural world has to offer!

Bowser enjoying his enrichment time in our Visitor Center!

Native Bees

In todays blog Cindi Martineau discusses the importance of native bees in the environment and explains to us common concerns about bee stings!

Think for a moment about what you ate the last few days.  Whether you had a bowl of strawberries for breakfast, a sweet potato for lunch, or corn-on-the-cob for dinner, it is very likely that some or all of the foods you ate depend on bees in some way. 

Polliators, including honeybees, native bees, and other insect pollinators are considered to be key-stone species.  This means that a large amount of other species depend on these pollinators for their survival, or in other words, are necessary for their reproduction.  Honeybee and native bee populations have declined dramatically over the last several years due to both pesticides and genetically engineered (GE) seeds.  These GE seeds are treated with neonictinoids which have a detrimental effect on bees.  Neonictinoids were recently banned in Europe, but it hasn’t happened here in North America.

This is bad news not only for the bees, but for other wildlife and ultimately humans.  Our species depends on bees for survival.  In China there has been such a loss of bees that farmers have to manually pollinate their crops.  There are scientists and farmers who are seeing that in the near future in North America.

The good news is that we can help.  We can do this by creating habitat that supports native pollinators.  This habitat needs to be rich in flowers, have no pesticide application and provide nest sites for the bees.  Fenner Nature Center has the potential to meet these requirements as a part of a project being done by one of Fenner’s Youth Leadership Program members.  I’ll detail more about that in a minute, because I want to address a common concern about bees.

Many people are wary of inviting bees into their yard or into an area where people gather.  People don’t like the threat of bee stings and additionally, some people are allergic to stings.  This is a legitimate concern.  However, upon learning more about both honeybees and native bees, my mind has been put at rest on the matter.

First, bees are gentle creatures that only sting if they are in immediate threat of being killed themselves or in defense of their nests.  Second, many native bees are solitary, rather than social like honeybees.  Being solitary creatures, they don’t have the energy to defend their nests because they have to focus on reproduction.  In addition, the female can’t risk being killed because that would preclude reproduction.  Finally, many of the native bees either don’t have stingers, or don’t have stingers that can penetrate human skin.

In the upcoming months, Elijah Martineau, a member of the Youth Leadership Program at Fenner is going to be working on the bird feeding area on the south side of the building.  One of his goals is to plant native flowering plants, which will be attractive to both birds and to insects.  While we were researching books to get ideas for his project we came upon information about providing houses for solitary mason bees.  Mason bees will use holes drilled into blocks of wood to make their nests and lay their eggs.  It is best if these wood blocks, usually mounted on posts, are located near a building so that the bees can navigate back to the nest after they have been out foraging for pollen.  It’s also good to have them in a southern garden so that the nests get warm enough for the larvae to develop.  Other native bees, Miner bees, will use dig into bare ground to make their nests.  Elijah is planning to include bee houses into his bird feeding area project to help conserve native bees!

Gone Herpin'!

In today's post one of our Animal Care Interns, Lia Blondo, talks all about Herpetology!

In the muddied wetlands and grassy forest areas of Michigan and beyond, there is a little known hobby enjoyed by the few and the brave. “Herping”, as it is named, is the act of searching for native reptiles and amphibians in their natural environments. “Herping” comes from the term “herpetology” or the study of reptiles and amphibians. Because these critters can often be the masters of camouflage, the activity can also be described as a new twist to Hide ‘N Seek. Herping provides reptile and amphibian enthusiasts a chance to observe the animals in their own environments, in a non-invasive manner. However, the skill of the player is tested by their ability to locate various reptiles and amphibians using habitat clues. It is quite challenging to find an animal that has not yet spotted you!

Here in Michigan, we are lucky to host a variety of snakes, turtles, frogs, toads and salamanders. There are common species, and then not-so-common species that are considered a rare find in the state. In 2004, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recognized that there was a lack of statewide data regarding the numbers and locations of native reptiles and amphibians. In response to this, the Michigan Herp Atlas was created to provide a system of tracking. There are over 4,300 records to search for information on species location and number with new sightings being listed weekly. The Michigan Herp Atlas provides a useful tool for amateurs and experts alike in discovering reptile and amphibian species that may be close to their hometown.

On your own herping experience, you may be most apt to find a wandering frog or toad. You can tell the difference between the two by examining the skin. Is it thicker and more warty? Are the back legs shorter and more suited for hopping, rather than leaping? If yes, you probably have discovered a toad. Look for frogs and toads near water sources, or damp habitats. Often, they will nestle themselves into moist soils. In the spring, you may happen upon juvenile frogs in a pond or “vernal pool”, a depression that fills with runoff water in the spring and dries up in the summer. These young frogs are called “tadpoles” and have not yet acquired the physical characteristics needed to live on land! As they grow, they will develop physical traits that allow them to make the move out of the water in a process called “metamorphosis” (“Amphibian” means two lives – in and out of the water!) Michigan has ten documented species of frogs and two toads. Fenner Nature Center calls home to a Gray Tree Frog and Eastern American Toad.

As you are scanning your eyes over a pond, you may spot a turtle basking on a floating log! There are about ten known species of turtles in Michigan, but that certainly does not mean they are uncommon. Most enjoy living in a pond or wetland area, but will move to upland and sandy areas to feed or breed. Look for certain markings on the turtle’s neck or shell to determine the species you are observing. A reptile and amphibian field guide is useful to carry to help you distinguish the animal, or the Michigan Department of Natural Resources provides lots of information and pictures of native species. Say hello to Ruby, Fenner Nature Center’s Eastern Box Turtle, and a big character around here at the Visitor Center!

Ruby loves snacking on fruits, veggies, and sometimes even worms!

While you are venturing around a wetland or pond area, be on the lookout for salamanders or newts. We have ten different species in Michigan that can be a bit tricky to find. Salamanders like to bury underneath leaf litter and moist soils. Mudpuppies and sirens like to stay at the bottom of ponds, streams and lakes. Salamanders have the ability to breathe and drink through their thin skin, as water is easily able to transfer in and out of their bodies. For this reason, you will seldom find them in high and dry places. However you may find a four-legged salamander look-alike basking in a sunny area! Michigan does have one most common species of lizard – the five-lined skink. Look for five yellow-toned lines running from the tip of their nose down through the tail to correctly identify a five-lined skink. These critters will stick to wooded areas with moist soils and ample basking opportunities.

As you move away from the bodies of water and head for wooded areas, you enter snake territory. There are seventeen species of snakes found in Michigan, with a few of these species considered threatened or a species of special concern. We only have one venomous snake in our state – the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake – and they are more likely to turn and flee from you than attack! In fact, most of our snakes prefer to hide underneath moist soils, leaves, or a fallen log. If you do come across one of our seventeen species of snakes, remember that they will initiate aggressive behavior if provoked or threatened. Keep your space and observe from a safe distance.

Herping provides a hands-on opportunity for learning about Michigan’s native reptile and amphibian species, while promoting a better understanding and appreciation for nature in both adults and children. What a great way to spend a sunny afternoon! Happy herpin’!

Online Resources:

Michigan Herp Atlas

http://www.miherpatlas.org/

Michigan Department of Natural Resources List of Amphibians and Reptiles

    http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-153-10370_12145_12201---,00.html

YLP BUILDS ALL NATURAL PLAYSCAPE

Today's blog post comes to us from our friends that are apart of Fenner's Youth Leadership Program, as they tell us all about their exciting new project and how you can help!

The Youth Leadership Program (YLP) of Fenner Nature Center  is a group of 12-18 year old leaders who love nature and love teaching others about the natural world!  Over the last year, YLP members have been planning and designing a natural playscape which will be built within Fenner Nature Center’s grounds.  The playscape will allow kids to play creatively while enjoying all that nature has to offer.  It will offer a bridge between playing in a playground the local park, and free-play in the natural world.  It will be built of natural materials and will blend into the forest.

Currently we are in the last few steps of our planning process. We have a few committees working on different things; such as media, finance, volunteering, and model/design. Our media committee is working on Indiegogo, Facebook posts, and blogs. Our finance group is compiling a list of supplies and determining prices. Our volunteer group is making a list of people and where they will be placed. Our model/design group is working on a topographic map of the the playscape. If you have the time, please visit our Indiegogo site and donate what you can to support out playscape! Thank you!

Link to Donate

Identifying Trees in Michigan

In today's post, our Environmental Education Intern, Patrick Shults discusses how to identify trees found in Michigan!

I would think it is a safe bet that everyone sees at least one tree a day if not several, at least around here. I doubt there are any Michiganders who can think of a day when they haven’t seen one. Trees are everywhere, and they have been around much longer than us. All of Michigan was once covered in forest before settlers came. It is said that a squirrel could have crossed from one side of the state to the other without ever touching the ground. Trees are a part of our everyday routines, even if we don’t always notice them, and they play a very important role in the worlds ecosystems, as well as human survival.

Most people think of trees in terms of lumber and oxygen production, but the truth is they do so much more and should never be underestimated. Trees are capable of absorbing massive amounts of pollutants from the soil and air, making them great for cleaning up toxic sites and urban areas. An individual tree can absorb thousands of gallons of water every year, and in doing this it both stabilizes water tables and cleans the water. Trees can even help you save money on energy costs! Planting trees as wind breaks near your house can reduce heating cost in the winter and help shade the house in the summer. Using wood for biomass fuel is a rapidly growing field of study and there also is much research being done on using trees to solve pollution and energy issues in heavily populated areas. Trees could very well be an answer to many of our energy and pollution issues.

Almost everyone accepts that trees are important, but very few people know anything else about them or how to tell them apart. Different species are useful for different things and each has characteristics that make it unique and interesting. Ancient Celtic cultures used “birth-trees” because they believed that the characteristics of a tree could mirror a humans traits. Learning a little about tree identification can give you an idea of what these unique traits are and maybe even help you find your tree! So if you find yourself with some time grab a guide and head on down to the Fenner Nature Center trails. Think of it as your way of paying respect to the trees for all their hard work. Fenner is a great place to start as it has a great representation of the diverse species of trees you will see in Michigan.

Tree ID in the winter can be difficult for the inexperienced, but here are a few tips to get you started:

Some trees, like beeches and oaks, have marcescent leaves. This means the leaves stay on the tree through the winter, even though they are no longer functioning.

Cedars are conifers that have scale-like leaves as opposed to needles.

For some trees, the bark is a dead giveaway to its identity. From left to right here is cherry, red pine, sugar maple, and white ash. Notice the potato chip-like bark on the cherry, the red tones on the red pine, the flaky sheets of bark on the sugar maple, and the diamond-like plating design on the ash. Traits like these will stick in your head and help you identify all year round.

Larch, also known as tamarack, is the only coniferous tree that loses its leaves (needles) in the fall. It’s very easy to identify by the spur shoots on the branches where the needles grow in clusters.

The buds of a tree are the next years leaf. After leaves start growing in the spring it’s the trees primary concern to create a new bud. They are surefire ways to identify a tree but can be meticulous and difficult. This is the bud of a beech tree and is easy to recognize by being longer than most buds and sharply pointed.

So now that you’ve got an idea for winter tree identification, try taking a walk on the trails at Fenner and put your skills to the test. If it’s difficult without the leaves don’t be disheartened! Spring is coming soon!