FAST KOALA FACTS
The scientific name for the koala is Phascolarctos cinereus.
Koalas are marsupials, related to kangaroos. Koalas and most other marsupials live in Australia and neighboring islands. The word koala may come from an Aboriginal word meaning no drink. Although koalas do drink when necessary, they obtain most of the moisture they need from leaves.
Most marsupials have pouches where the tiny newborns develop. A koala mother usually gives birth to one joey at a time.
A female koala is pregnant for only 35 days before giving birth; most of the joey's growth and development takes place in the mother's pouch.
Once a newborn koala latches onto a nipple in its mother's pouch, the nipple swells in its mouth so the joey can't be separated from its food source.
Koalas have thick woolly fur that protects them from both heat and cold. It also acts like a raincoat.
Koalas have thick, grayish fur, with white on their chests, inner arms, and ears. They have large furry ears and leathery noses. Mature males have brown scent glands in the center of their white chests. They rub these on their home trees to mark their territory.
Koalas live in trees, sometimes coming down to the ground to seek shade or another tree. They occasionally jump from one tree to the next. In an ideal habitat in the wild, male koalas live about 10 years, while females may live a few years longer.
Koalas are found in the wild only in the forests of eastern Australia.
Koalas live in bushland with other koalas. Each has its own home trees which are generally not visited by other koalas except in mating season.
Koalas have their own built-in cushion! The fur on a koala's bottom is extra thick so that the koala can comfortably rest in trees.
Koalas spend as many as 18-20 hours a day napping and resting.
Though koalas look like teddy bears and are sometimes even referred to as koala bears, they are not bears.
Koalas smell like cough drops because of their diet of here are many kinds of eucalyptus trees. Koalas will eat from only a few of these; a koala can eat 2 1/2 pounds of eucalyptus leaves a day.
A koala’s territory is up to 100 trees.
Fossils of 12 different extinct species of koala have been found. These extinct koalas were much larger than the ones today. They were like giant koalas!
Monday, December 19, 2011
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Reviews are in! 5.0 out of 5 stars Adorable!, Go Go Sadie by Bonnie Lee
5.0 out of 5 stars Adorable!, December 8, 2011
By
Candace Robinson "Candace"
This review is from: Go Go Sadie (Hardcover)
This was an adorable book with some fun quirkiness and adorable illustrations. The story starts with telling us a bit about Sadie and how she's a sloth and what she does. Then it tells us just a bit about Costa Rica and some of the animals that live there. It then moves on to the story about Sadie who is going to run a marathon. She gets some new running shoes {funny and cute for the kids} and my children {6 &2} loved pointing out the running shoes on all the animals. Sadie runs the race even though she's really slow but her friends help and she completes the race even though she knows she's last. The end of the book includes coloring pages as well {kids loved that!}.
This is a medium length book that didn't take me long to read to my children. They enjoyed pointing out different things and I felt like they 'got' the message. The illustrations are full spreads and very colorful. I felt like I got a 'feel' for Costa Rica and the scenery as well as the animals that live there.
The whole family enjoyed this book and the kids are always eager for me to pick it up and read it to them again.
By
Candace Robinson "Candace"
This review is from: Go Go Sadie (Hardcover)
This was an adorable book with some fun quirkiness and adorable illustrations. The story starts with telling us a bit about Sadie and how she's a sloth and what she does. Then it tells us just a bit about Costa Rica and some of the animals that live there. It then moves on to the story about Sadie who is going to run a marathon. She gets some new running shoes {funny and cute for the kids} and my children {6 &2} loved pointing out the running shoes on all the animals. Sadie runs the race even though she's really slow but her friends help and she completes the race even though she knows she's last. The end of the book includes coloring pages as well {kids loved that!}.
This is a medium length book that didn't take me long to read to my children. They enjoyed pointing out different things and I felt like they 'got' the message. The illustrations are full spreads and very colorful. I felt like I got a 'feel' for Costa Rica and the scenery as well as the animals that live there.
The whole family enjoyed this book and the kids are always eager for me to pick it up and read it to them again.
Friday, November 4, 2011
Why We Love the National Wildlife Federation!
Partial Proceeds of all Bonnie Lee Books support the National Wildlife Federation. This great organization works to protect the worlds most at-risk animals and habitats. We support this organization and their campaign to stop the attack on wildlife.
Join us in stopping the attack on wildlife by purchasing a Bonnie Lee Book today. Your purchase will help educate a child about wildlife as well as be a donation o the National Wildlife Federation.
Why do you love the National Wildlife Federation? Please share your stories with us in our comment section below.
Join us in stopping the attack on wildlife by purchasing a Bonnie Lee Book today. Your purchase will help educate a child about wildlife as well as be a donation o the National Wildlife Federation.
Why do you love the National Wildlife Federation? Please share your stories with us in our comment section below.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
How to Pick a Children's Book Illustrator
Illustration in your children’s book can make or break your chances of getting published. Right now, the market is flooded with illustrators, some good, some bad, some horrible. Do you know how to pick an illustrator and how to decipher between the good and the bad? Read on to learn about what I look for in illustrators:
1) Find someone you can work with. What I mean by this is, find some that you can have a successful, professional relationship with. They may be the best illustrator in town, but if they are overbearing, too opinionated, arrogant, or non-collaborative, they will not work out. You will be meeting with this person often, giving feedback and trying to make the best illustrations for your children’s book. You want to make sure that your relationship with them will be successful and not tumultuous.
2) Get an experienced children’s book illustrator. Too many children’s books authors make the mistake of going to a friend who occasionally draws or is a graphic designer for an unrelated field. Though these friends are very talented, they don’t understand the field of children’s book illustrations: what captivates kid’s attention, what illustrations will complement your writing, how to create characters that you can brand. It may be tempting to give a friend a gig or a chance at publicity, however then don’t expect to see large successes with your book.
3) It’s not all about them, and it’s not all about you. This should truly be a partnership. This is a risk for the illustrator just as much as it is for you. Listen to them, hear their feedback, and make sure that you can actually work with each other. Refer to #1 if you feel that they’re starting to feel that they aren’t listening to your concerns or making it all about them.
I hope these tips provide some insight to the extremely competitive world of choosing a children’s book illustrator. Lastly, I’d like to recommend illustrator Erin Taylor who created the illustrations for http://www.bonnieleebooks.com/html/popular_children_s_books___mom.html. She was extremely creative, professional, and fun to work with! Here is her website with contact information: http://erintaylorillustrator.com/ If you have additional suggestions or recommendations of great children’s book illustrators, please add them to the comments below. I’d love to hear from you!
1) Find someone you can work with. What I mean by this is, find some that you can have a successful, professional relationship with. They may be the best illustrator in town, but if they are overbearing, too opinionated, arrogant, or non-collaborative, they will not work out. You will be meeting with this person often, giving feedback and trying to make the best illustrations for your children’s book. You want to make sure that your relationship with them will be successful and not tumultuous.
2) Get an experienced children’s book illustrator. Too many children’s books authors make the mistake of going to a friend who occasionally draws or is a graphic designer for an unrelated field. Though these friends are very talented, they don’t understand the field of children’s book illustrations: what captivates kid’s attention, what illustrations will complement your writing, how to create characters that you can brand. It may be tempting to give a friend a gig or a chance at publicity, however then don’t expect to see large successes with your book.
3) It’s not all about them, and it’s not all about you. This should truly be a partnership. This is a risk for the illustrator just as much as it is for you. Listen to them, hear their feedback, and make sure that you can actually work with each other. Refer to #1 if you feel that they’re starting to feel that they aren’t listening to your concerns or making it all about them.
I hope these tips provide some insight to the extremely competitive world of choosing a children’s book illustrator. Lastly, I’d like to recommend illustrator Erin Taylor who created the illustrations for http://www.bonnieleebooks.com/html/popular_children_s_books___mom.html. She was extremely creative, professional, and fun to work with! Here is her website with contact information: http://erintaylorillustrator.com/ If you have additional suggestions or recommendations of great children’s book illustrators, please add them to the comments below. I’d love to hear from you!
Friday, October 28, 2011
How To Write a Great Children's Book Review
Right now we’re running an amazing promotion where if you write an Amazon review on Go Go Sadie, Bonnie Lee Books will send you a FREE Go Go Sadie magnet! In honor of this great promotion, I wanted to share my own tips for writing the perfect children’s book review.
How to write a book review:
1) Make sure to include the books title, author, ISBN, price, copyright info, and genre. Though this information may seem basic, you’d be surprised how many book reviews lack this essential information.
2) Offer a brief summary of the content but be sure not to reveal any major plot twists or story endings. For most children’s books, you should be able to summarize the story in two sentences or less.
3) For children’s books, it’s important to comment on the illustrations. Were they exciting? Colorful? Boring? How did they support they story? Illustrations make up a large part of children’s books so it’s important to acknowledge how they supported the story.
4) Include your opinion. Did you like the story? If so, why or why not? Would you recommend this children’s book to others? What reservations would you have in recommending it? Sometimes it’s helpful to take notes while you are reading in order to pinpoint your thoughts and opinions on the story.
5) Lastly, be sure to include any other relevant information. Do book proceeds benefit a nonprofit or promote a certain cause? Where can this book be purchased? Does the author have a website? For Bonnie Lee Books, you can download free coloring book pages online. This information would be helpful to a parent or teacher that is looking to read a book that has a corresponding activity.
What tips do you have for those looking to write book reviews on children’s books? Please share your tips below in the comment section!
How to write a book review:
1) Make sure to include the books title, author, ISBN, price, copyright info, and genre. Though this information may seem basic, you’d be surprised how many book reviews lack this essential information.
2) Offer a brief summary of the content but be sure not to reveal any major plot twists or story endings. For most children’s books, you should be able to summarize the story in two sentences or less.
3) For children’s books, it’s important to comment on the illustrations. Were they exciting? Colorful? Boring? How did they support they story? Illustrations make up a large part of children’s books so it’s important to acknowledge how they supported the story.
4) Include your opinion. Did you like the story? If so, why or why not? Would you recommend this children’s book to others? What reservations would you have in recommending it? Sometimes it’s helpful to take notes while you are reading in order to pinpoint your thoughts and opinions on the story.
5) Lastly, be sure to include any other relevant information. Do book proceeds benefit a nonprofit or promote a certain cause? Where can this book be purchased? Does the author have a website? For Bonnie Lee Books, you can download free coloring book pages online. This information would be helpful to a parent or teacher that is looking to read a book that has a corresponding activity.
What tips do you have for those looking to write book reviews on children’s books? Please share your tips below in the comment section!
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Books that Fight Hunger
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that the number of households that did not have sufficient food raised by 30% from 2007-2010. The recession has cause 12 million more people to go hungry. Are you doing everything you can to help these individuals?
In times of economic crisis, organizations like Second Harvest Food Bank are more necessary than ever. The Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties in California is “one of the largest food banks in the nation, providing food to an average of nearly one quarter of a million people each month.” They help connect families, seniors, and children to healthy food sources and resources in their counties. In addition to having a food pantry, they also offer programs such as Brown Bag which provides meals to low-income seniors, Partners in Need which provides food to low-income volunteers at the organization, and Produce Mobile which distributes fruits and vegetables to communities with limited access to fresh markets.
Partial proceeds of my children’s books (Bonita the Fruit Bat Counts to Ten, Momo Come Home, and Go Go Sadie) benefit the Second Harvest Food Bank. Do your part today by purchasing a Bonnie Lee book and visiting the Second Harvest Food Bank to drop off a canned food donation. To learn more about Second Harvest Food Banks, visit there website: www.shfb.org.
In times of economic crisis, organizations like Second Harvest Food Bank are more necessary than ever. The Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties in California is “one of the largest food banks in the nation, providing food to an average of nearly one quarter of a million people each month.” They help connect families, seniors, and children to healthy food sources and resources in their counties. In addition to having a food pantry, they also offer programs such as Brown Bag which provides meals to low-income seniors, Partners in Need which provides food to low-income volunteers at the organization, and Produce Mobile which distributes fruits and vegetables to communities with limited access to fresh markets.
Partial proceeds of my children’s books (Bonita the Fruit Bat Counts to Ten, Momo Come Home, and Go Go Sadie) benefit the Second Harvest Food Bank. Do your part today by purchasing a Bonnie Lee book and visiting the Second Harvest Food Bank to drop off a canned food donation. To learn more about Second Harvest Food Banks, visit there website: www.shfb.org.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Win FREE Children's Books and MORE!
Hello fans!
October is a busy month here as we are running two fabulous promotions and giving away lots of free stuff!
Right now we are running a lovely children’s book promotion where you can win a free Bonnie Lee children’s book- I’ll even autograph the copy! In order to win, please “LIKE” our Facebook page. Once there, interact with us by commenting on our posts or sharing our links for an increased chance of winning. We’ll be announcing the winner on our Facebook on November 4th.
If that’s not enough to wow you, I’m also offering free “Go Go Sadie” magnets to those who write a review on Amazon on “Go Go Sadie.” Once you write the review online, post a comment on my Facebook page and I will contact you about getting your address and mailing the free magnet.
Go online today for your chance to win! Good Luck!
Regards,
Bonnie
October is a busy month here as we are running two fabulous promotions and giving away lots of free stuff!
Right now we are running a lovely children’s book promotion where you can win a free Bonnie Lee children’s book- I’ll even autograph the copy! In order to win, please “LIKE” our Facebook page. Once there, interact with us by commenting on our posts or sharing our links for an increased chance of winning. We’ll be announcing the winner on our Facebook on November 4th.
If that’s not enough to wow you, I’m also offering free “Go Go Sadie” magnets to those who write a review on Amazon on “Go Go Sadie.” Once you write the review online, post a comment on my Facebook page and I will contact you about getting your address and mailing the free magnet.
Go online today for your chance to win! Good Luck!
Regards,
Bonnie
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Educate Children about Wildlife
I’m sure by now you’ve all heard about the horrible tragedy that occurred in Ohio. An Ohio man who owned exotic animals released them into his community before killing himself. These animals were then hunted and killed by local authorities to prevent any harm to the surrounding communities. In light of this tragedy and in memoriam for these animals, it’s even more important to educate children about wildlife, their habitats, and how to best preserve their well-being.
Bonnie Lee Books help work to educate children about wild animals and their habitats in an effort to create a better informed society. Wild animals are not pets and they need to be treated with respect and caution.
Remember, partial proceeds from my books benefit the National Wildlife Federation. Help teach a young child about exotic animals and habitats AND donate to the National Wildlife Federation by purchasing a Bonnie Lee Book today.
I want to hear from you. How do you make sure your children respect nature?
Bonnie Lee Books help work to educate children about wild animals and their habitats in an effort to create a better informed society. Wild animals are not pets and they need to be treated with respect and caution.
Remember, partial proceeds from my books benefit the National Wildlife Federation. Help teach a young child about exotic animals and habitats AND donate to the National Wildlife Federation by purchasing a Bonnie Lee Book today.
I want to hear from you. How do you make sure your children respect nature?
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Donate Book Proceeds to Nonprofits
As a children’s book author, I tend to meet fellow authors and book lovers at conferences or online in discussion forums. I continually become surprised when meeting an author who, not only isn’t affiliated with a nonprofit but also doesn’t donate proceeds of their books to nonprofit organizations.
As authors we’re expected to fit the romanticized stereotype of soulful intellectuals who deeply empathize with their readers. We’re not corporations, we’re better. We’re humans conveying meaningful stories that work to emotionally connect the reader to the world around them. Whether an author pens a horror thriller, children’s book, or a nonfiction book of recipes- they are still supplying the reader with knowledge and a better understanding of the world they live in. It only makes sense taht we would use this emotional reach to further connect with organizations that serve the most at-risk populations.
If you’re an author who rejects the aforementioned stereotype and instead writes only for book sales, keep reading. By donating proceeds of your book sales to nonprofits you can reap additional benefits. Consumers feel better about purchasing books when they know their money supports the author and an organization. They’re also less likely to purchase your book used online but instead buy it brand new and direct. Lastly, you can partner with the organization to receive additional press. By forming a partnership with a nonprofit, they will advertise your book on their media platforms (website, Facebook & Twitter) as well as encourage their networks to support your authorship.
The benefits are plentiful and so are the organizations in need. Be a good author; donate today.
To purchase one of Bonnie Lee books (proceeds to the National Wildlife Federation & Second Harvest Food Bank) visit www.bonnieleebooks.com.
As authors we’re expected to fit the romanticized stereotype of soulful intellectuals who deeply empathize with their readers. We’re not corporations, we’re better. We’re humans conveying meaningful stories that work to emotionally connect the reader to the world around them. Whether an author pens a horror thriller, children’s book, or a nonfiction book of recipes- they are still supplying the reader with knowledge and a better understanding of the world they live in. It only makes sense taht we would use this emotional reach to further connect with organizations that serve the most at-risk populations.
If you’re an author who rejects the aforementioned stereotype and instead writes only for book sales, keep reading. By donating proceeds of your book sales to nonprofits you can reap additional benefits. Consumers feel better about purchasing books when they know their money supports the author and an organization. They’re also less likely to purchase your book used online but instead buy it brand new and direct. Lastly, you can partner with the organization to receive additional press. By forming a partnership with a nonprofit, they will advertise your book on their media platforms (website, Facebook & Twitter) as well as encourage their networks to support your authorship.
The benefits are plentiful and so are the organizations in need. Be a good author; donate today.
To purchase one of Bonnie Lee books (proceeds to the National Wildlife Federation & Second Harvest Food Bank) visit www.bonnieleebooks.com.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Children’s Books & Inspiration
The best children’s books are the ones that balance perfectly between fiction and reality—at least this was my logic when penning Momo Come Home. Few people know that my first children’s book was based off a true childhood story of when my pet bird flew away. I had the idea for Go Go Sadie as I was living in Costa Rica during the annual Jungle Run. I thought, how funny would it be if a sloth entered the race? Sadie’s character was born!
Real life stories easily lend themselves to children’s fiction. What’s happening daily in your life that could be created into a children’s book?
Real life stories easily lend themselves to children’s fiction. What’s happening daily in your life that could be created into a children’s book?
Friday, September 16, 2011
Go Go Sadie - Now available on Amazon.com
Go Go Sadie - Now available on Amazon.com
Go Go Sadie
ISBN# 978-1-4349-8679-5
A sloth that "runs" a marathon? - Welcome to the second book written by Author Bonnie Lee which showcases the animals of Costa Rica as they embark on an adventure with Sadie the Sloth. Sadie is the first sloth to ever participate in the "JungleRun" and with the help and encouragement of her friends and family we shall see if Sadie has it in her to finish a race.
Go Go Sadie
ISBN# 978-1-4349-8679-5
A sloth that "runs" a marathon? - Welcome to the second book written by Author Bonnie Lee which showcases the animals of Costa Rica as they embark on an adventure with Sadie the Sloth. Sadie is the first sloth to ever participate in the "JungleRun" and with the help and encouragement of her friends and family we shall see if Sadie has it in her to finish a race.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Portions of sales from Bonnie Lee Books are donated to the following organizations
National Wildlife Federation
Second Harvest Food Bank
Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad
Second Harvest Food Bank
Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad
Bonnie Lee Books
Captivating & educating children through books with adventures that teach valuable life lessons.
http://www.bonnieleebooks.com
http://www.bonnieleebooks.com
Children’s Author Bonnie Lee
Originally from New York City, Bonnie Lee moved to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1988. Having had the blessing to immerse in both metropolitan cities’ cultures, she embodies the finest of both east and west coast sensibilities.
Bonnie is a savvy world traveler who has lived in numerous international hotspots including Japan, where she served as an ESL (English as a Second Language) Specialist for three years. Israel, France and Costa Rica were also all home to Bonnie for several months each.
With a profound sense of joie de vivre, Bonnie has pursued different passions throughout life, one of which led her to the exciting and unusual profession of a flying trapeze artist for the ever popular Cirque du Soleil group.
Bonnie currently resides in the Bay Area, focusing on both her profession as a paralegal of patents and intellectual property as well as continuing to author children’s books
Bonnie is a savvy world traveler who has lived in numerous international hotspots including Japan, where she served as an ESL (English as a Second Language) Specialist for three years. Israel, France and Costa Rica were also all home to Bonnie for several months each.
With a profound sense of joie de vivre, Bonnie has pursued different passions throughout life, one of which led her to the exciting and unusual profession of a flying trapeze artist for the ever popular Cirque du Soleil group.
Bonnie currently resides in the Bay Area, focusing on both her profession as a paralegal of patents and intellectual property as well as continuing to author children’s books
Bonita the Fruit Bat Counts to Ten by Bonnie Lee
Bonita the Fruit Bat Counts to Ten
ISBN# 978-1-257-87024-0
Good evening! My name is Bonita the Fruit Bat. I live in places where the weather is very warm and I can find lots of fruit and flowers to eat all year long. You can find lots of fruit bats in continents like Africa, Asia, Australia, South and North America. Come with me tonight to look for my favorite foods and learn to count from one to ten.
Let's go!
Available to Download as an e-book on lulu.com/ Bonnie Lee Books
ISBN# 978-1-257-87024-0
Good evening! My name is Bonita the Fruit Bat. I live in places where the weather is very warm and I can find lots of fruit and flowers to eat all year long. You can find lots of fruit bats in continents like Africa, Asia, Australia, South and North America. Come with me tonight to look for my favorite foods and learn to count from one to ten.
Let's go!
Available to Download as an e-book on lulu.com/ Bonnie Lee Books
Go Go Sadie by Bonnie Lee
Go Go Sadie
ISBN# 978-1-4349-8679-5
A sloth that "runs" a marathon? - Welcome to the second book written by Author Bonnie Lee which showcases the animals of Costa Rica as they embark on an adventure with Sadie the Sloth. Sadie is the first sloth to ever participate in the "JungleRun" and with the help and encouragement of her friends and family we shall see if Sadie has it in her to finish a race.
Go Go Sadie will be available to purchase on Amazon.com & Bonnie Lee Books September 2011
ISBN# 978-1-4349-8679-5
A sloth that "runs" a marathon? - Welcome to the second book written by Author Bonnie Lee which showcases the animals of Costa Rica as they embark on an adventure with Sadie the Sloth. Sadie is the first sloth to ever participate in the "JungleRun" and with the help and encouragement of her friends and family we shall see if Sadie has it in her to finish a race.
Go Go Sadie will be available to purchase on Amazon.com & Bonnie Lee Books September 2011
Momo Come Home by Bonnie Lee
Momo Come Home
ISBN# 978-0-8059-7892-6
Life in a big city can be frightening! Especially if you're just a little bird named Momo, who one morning decided to spread his wings and adventure into the city.
His sudden flight left Bonnie heartsick, but determined to find a way to get a big city to help her get her little bird back.
This is a story that includes adventure, hope, frustration, love and yes…a small miracle. This story illustrates many lessons in life about commitment, overcoming obstacles, and most important, not losing hope when all hope is gone. Will Momo ever come home?
PURCHASE Momo Come Home in Paperback & Electronic/ Amazon or bonnieleebooks.com
ISBN# 978-0-8059-7892-6
Life in a big city can be frightening! Especially if you're just a little bird named Momo, who one morning decided to spread his wings and adventure into the city.
His sudden flight left Bonnie heartsick, but determined to find a way to get a big city to help her get her little bird back.
This is a story that includes adventure, hope, frustration, love and yes…a small miracle. This story illustrates many lessons in life about commitment, overcoming obstacles, and most important, not losing hope when all hope is gone. Will Momo ever come home?
PURCHASE Momo Come Home in Paperback & Electronic/ Amazon or bonnieleebooks.com
Bonita the Fruit Bat's Favorite Fruit
Guava
Guavas are plants in the myrtle family (Myrtaceae) genus Psidium (meaning "pomegranate" in Latin) which contains about 100 species of tropical shrubs and small trees. They are native to Mexico, Central America, and northern South America. Guavas are now cultivated and naturalized throughout the tropics and subtropics in Southeast Asia, Hawaii, the Caribbean, Florida and Africa.
Guavas are often included among superfruits, being rich in dietary fiber, vitamins A and C, folic acid, and the dietary minerals, potassium, copper and manganese. Having a generally broad, low-calorie profile of essential nutrients, a single common guava fruit contains about four times the amount of vitamin C as an orange
The guava is believed to have originated in an area extending from southern Mexico into Central America. Since 1526, it has been common throughout all warm areas of tropical America, the West Indies, the Bahamas, and Bermuda. It was introduced to Florida in 1847 and was brought from there to the East Indies and Guam. It is likely that it spread from those regions to Asia and Africa. It was introduced to Hawaii in the early 19th century and is now common throughout the Pacific islands.
Nectarines
Nectarines are essentially the same fruit as peaches. The main difference is that nectarines have a smooth skin and a firm flesh and peaches are fuzzy.
The smooth skin that defines nectarines is a minor genetic variation, so it is not uncommon for a peach to produce a branch that bears nectarines, or vice versa.
As with peaches, nectarines can be white or yellow. Yellow nectarines have higher sugar content than white nectarines, but white nectarines usually taste sweeter due to their lack of acid.
Nectarines are low in fat, free of saturated fat, sodium, and cholesterol, and are a good source of Vitamins A and C.
California grows over 95% of all nectarines in the United States!
Date
A date fruit is the product of a date palm, a tree native to Northern Africa and the Middle East, although it is also cultivated in other parts of the world. In addition to being eaten fresh, the date fruit is dried and eaten whole as a snack or included in an assortment of desserts. Many regional Middle Eastern cuisines incorporate dates, as do Mediterranean cuisines like those of Italy and Greece.
The fruit is known as a date. The fruit's English name, as well as the Latin species name dactylifera, both come from the Greek word for "finger," dáktulos, because of the fruit's elongated shape. Dates are oval-cylindrical, 3–7 cm long, and 2–3 cm diameter, and when unripe, range from bright red to bright yellow in colour, depending on variety. Dates contain a single seed about 2–2.5 cm long and 6–8 mm thick.
The date palm is dioecious, having separate male and female plants. They can be easily grown from seed, but only 50% of seedlings will be female and hence fruit bearing, and dates from seedling plants are often smaller and of poorer quality. Most commercial plantations thus use cuttings of heavily cropping cultivars, mainly 'Medjool' as this cultivar produces particularly high yields of large, sweet fruit.
Dates ripen in four stages, which are known throughout the world by their Arabic names kimri (unripe), khalal (full-size, crunchy), rutab (ripe, soft), tamr (ripe, sun-dried). Since dates contain relatively little water, they do not become much more concentrated upon drying, although the vitamin C is lost in the process.
Date palms can take 4 to 7 years after planting before they will bear fruit, and produce viable yields for commercial harvest between 7 to 10 years. Mature date palms can produce 80–120 kilograms (176–264 lb) of dates per harvest season, although they do not all ripen at the same time so several harvests are required.
Dates contain fluorine, which is an essential mineral to slow down the process of early tooth decay. Fluorine is also known to keep plaque at bay by strengthening the tooth enamel.
Energy Booster: Dates are power packed with 29 grams of natural sugars (glucose, sucrose and fructose), 3 grams of dietary fiber and 31 grams of carbohydrates. Therefore, the tiny date fruit can be appropriately described as an energy boosting dry fruit.
Fig
The fig fruit is an inverted flower with both the male and female flower parts enclosed in stem tissue. The scientific name of fig is ficus carica.
Fig fruits are bell-shaped, with a wide, flat bottom narrowing to a pointed top. When the fruit ripens, the top may bend, forming a "neck." Figs can be brown, purple, green, yellow or black, and vary in size. The skin is slightly wrinkled and leathery.
Figs grow best in sunny climates. The fruit is small with colors ranging from green, crimson, and dark brown. The inside of the fruit is fleshy with numerous tiny seeds and is covered by a thin skin on the outside. Since it has got a very short shelf life, figs can only be stored through drying, but this doesn’t reduce its nutritional benefits in any way.
They are often dried for preservation, since the fresh fruits are highly perishable. The fig flowers develop inside the fruit and cannot be seen.
Figs are originally from small Asia and are one of the first fruits cultivated ever.
The Greek mention them and around 60 A.C. and Plato promoted the fig as being the nutrition for athletes. Dried figs contain a lot of sugar, about 60%. It is thought that that was the reason why Plato advised Greek athletes to eat many figs. It is a very healthy fruit! Figs are one of the highest plant sources of calcium and fiber. According to USDA data for the Mission variety, dried figs are richest in fiber, copper, manganese, magnesium, potassium, calcium, and vitamin K, relative to human needs.
There are hundreds of fig fruit varieties, however, the green and the purple are the varieties that are mostly available in the market. Green varieties are the ones which are normally used for drying. Today there are more than 600 different fig types.
Fig trees can grow up to 50 feet (15 meters) tall and are very wide and sprawling. They will choke out any growth underneath them, so caution is advised when planting them.
A lot of fig plant races are used decoratively: like the rubberplant and the ficus benjamina.
Fig Fruit Benefits
•Lowers Cholesterol
•Controls Blood Pressure
•Helps in Weight Loss
•Prevents Constipation
•Increases Bone Density
•Prevents Cancer
•Boost the health of the liver
•Good for those Suffering from Anemia
•Prevents Asthma Attacks
Sore throats can be effectively healed with figs as it also has high mucilage content
Figs are also rich in phenol, omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids. These compounds are natural heart boosters and so figs can contribute towards reducing the risk of coronary heart diseases.
It is also believed that the fiber in figs absorb cancer causing substances, thus reducing the risk of various types of cancer. Figs are especially good in preventing colon and post-menopausal breast cancer.
Guavas are plants in the myrtle family (Myrtaceae) genus Psidium (meaning "pomegranate" in Latin) which contains about 100 species of tropical shrubs and small trees. They are native to Mexico, Central America, and northern South America. Guavas are now cultivated and naturalized throughout the tropics and subtropics in Southeast Asia, Hawaii, the Caribbean, Florida and Africa.
Guavas are often included among superfruits, being rich in dietary fiber, vitamins A and C, folic acid, and the dietary minerals, potassium, copper and manganese. Having a generally broad, low-calorie profile of essential nutrients, a single common guava fruit contains about four times the amount of vitamin C as an orange
The guava is believed to have originated in an area extending from southern Mexico into Central America. Since 1526, it has been common throughout all warm areas of tropical America, the West Indies, the Bahamas, and Bermuda. It was introduced to Florida in 1847 and was brought from there to the East Indies and Guam. It is likely that it spread from those regions to Asia and Africa. It was introduced to Hawaii in the early 19th century and is now common throughout the Pacific islands.
Nectarines
Nectarines are essentially the same fruit as peaches. The main difference is that nectarines have a smooth skin and a firm flesh and peaches are fuzzy.
The smooth skin that defines nectarines is a minor genetic variation, so it is not uncommon for a peach to produce a branch that bears nectarines, or vice versa.
As with peaches, nectarines can be white or yellow. Yellow nectarines have higher sugar content than white nectarines, but white nectarines usually taste sweeter due to their lack of acid.
Nectarines are low in fat, free of saturated fat, sodium, and cholesterol, and are a good source of Vitamins A and C.
California grows over 95% of all nectarines in the United States!
Date
A date fruit is the product of a date palm, a tree native to Northern Africa and the Middle East, although it is also cultivated in other parts of the world. In addition to being eaten fresh, the date fruit is dried and eaten whole as a snack or included in an assortment of desserts. Many regional Middle Eastern cuisines incorporate dates, as do Mediterranean cuisines like those of Italy and Greece.
The fruit is known as a date. The fruit's English name, as well as the Latin species name dactylifera, both come from the Greek word for "finger," dáktulos, because of the fruit's elongated shape. Dates are oval-cylindrical, 3–7 cm long, and 2–3 cm diameter, and when unripe, range from bright red to bright yellow in colour, depending on variety. Dates contain a single seed about 2–2.5 cm long and 6–8 mm thick.
The date palm is dioecious, having separate male and female plants. They can be easily grown from seed, but only 50% of seedlings will be female and hence fruit bearing, and dates from seedling plants are often smaller and of poorer quality. Most commercial plantations thus use cuttings of heavily cropping cultivars, mainly 'Medjool' as this cultivar produces particularly high yields of large, sweet fruit.
Dates ripen in four stages, which are known throughout the world by their Arabic names kimri (unripe), khalal (full-size, crunchy), rutab (ripe, soft), tamr (ripe, sun-dried). Since dates contain relatively little water, they do not become much more concentrated upon drying, although the vitamin C is lost in the process.
Date palms can take 4 to 7 years after planting before they will bear fruit, and produce viable yields for commercial harvest between 7 to 10 years. Mature date palms can produce 80–120 kilograms (176–264 lb) of dates per harvest season, although they do not all ripen at the same time so several harvests are required.
Dates contain fluorine, which is an essential mineral to slow down the process of early tooth decay. Fluorine is also known to keep plaque at bay by strengthening the tooth enamel.
Energy Booster: Dates are power packed with 29 grams of natural sugars (glucose, sucrose and fructose), 3 grams of dietary fiber and 31 grams of carbohydrates. Therefore, the tiny date fruit can be appropriately described as an energy boosting dry fruit.
Fig
The fig fruit is an inverted flower with both the male and female flower parts enclosed in stem tissue. The scientific name of fig is ficus carica.
Fig fruits are bell-shaped, with a wide, flat bottom narrowing to a pointed top. When the fruit ripens, the top may bend, forming a "neck." Figs can be brown, purple, green, yellow or black, and vary in size. The skin is slightly wrinkled and leathery.
Figs grow best in sunny climates. The fruit is small with colors ranging from green, crimson, and dark brown. The inside of the fruit is fleshy with numerous tiny seeds and is covered by a thin skin on the outside. Since it has got a very short shelf life, figs can only be stored through drying, but this doesn’t reduce its nutritional benefits in any way.
They are often dried for preservation, since the fresh fruits are highly perishable. The fig flowers develop inside the fruit and cannot be seen.
Figs are originally from small Asia and are one of the first fruits cultivated ever.
The Greek mention them and around 60 A.C. and Plato promoted the fig as being the nutrition for athletes. Dried figs contain a lot of sugar, about 60%. It is thought that that was the reason why Plato advised Greek athletes to eat many figs. It is a very healthy fruit! Figs are one of the highest plant sources of calcium and fiber. According to USDA data for the Mission variety, dried figs are richest in fiber, copper, manganese, magnesium, potassium, calcium, and vitamin K, relative to human needs.
There are hundreds of fig fruit varieties, however, the green and the purple are the varieties that are mostly available in the market. Green varieties are the ones which are normally used for drying. Today there are more than 600 different fig types.
Fig trees can grow up to 50 feet (15 meters) tall and are very wide and sprawling. They will choke out any growth underneath them, so caution is advised when planting them.
A lot of fig plant races are used decoratively: like the rubberplant and the ficus benjamina.
Fig Fruit Benefits
•Lowers Cholesterol
•Controls Blood Pressure
•Helps in Weight Loss
•Prevents Constipation
•Increases Bone Density
•Prevents Cancer
•Boost the health of the liver
•Good for those Suffering from Anemia
•Prevents Asthma Attacks
Sore throats can be effectively healed with figs as it also has high mucilage content
Figs are also rich in phenol, omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids. These compounds are natural heart boosters and so figs can contribute towards reducing the risk of coronary heart diseases.
It is also believed that the fiber in figs absorb cancer causing substances, thus reducing the risk of various types of cancer. Figs are especially good in preventing colon and post-menopausal breast cancer.
Fruit Bat Facts: Bonita the Fruit Bat Counts to Ten
Fruit Bat Facts: Bonita the Fruit Bat Counts to Ten
Fruit bats are the largest of bats and one of the most important to humans. Many of the fruits and vegetables we enjoy on our table would not exist without fruit bats. While eating fruit, they disperse the seeds all along the ground and pollinate the flowers of many plants. Depending on the species, these bats may consume up to twice their body weight in fruit in less than three hours.
Fruits that depend on bats for pollination or seed dispersal include:
•Bananas
•Peaches
•Dates
•Carob
•Avocados
•Jack fruit
•Plantains
•Mango
•Guava
•Cashews
•Figs
•Durian
Sometimes fruit bats are called flying foxes because of their little fox-like faces.
They have five toes with long claws on each foot. The long claws allow them to hang from trees. They hang upside down most of the time but they straighten up to urinate or defecate by hanging by their thumbs.
Fruit bats tend to live in large colonies, or "camps." in dense forest areas. Within these camps, one male fruit bat usually lives with up to eight female bats.
Their long arms have special skin between their fingers. This skin creates wings that allow bats to fly. Bats are the only mammals that can fly. Fruit bats have very good senses of smell and sight (contrary to the myth that all bats are blind).
Fruit bats are nocturnal, and hang from their feet during the day. They may hang with their wings wrapped around their bodies, or, if it is hot, may use their wings to fan themselves. Although fruit bats are good at flying, landing is another story! Fruit bats can't land gracefully, and instead must crash into bushes or trees to come to a stop, or try to latch onto a branch as they pass by. Sometimes these crash-landings disturb other fruit bats at the site, and cause noisy fights amongst them.
Bats are nocturnal creatures and feed during the night. Their keen sense of smell is important in locating their food. They have sensitive noses and large eyes that enable them to pick up the scents of flowers and ripe fruit and locate them in darkness. Sometimes they travel many kilometers in search of their favorite trees. At sunset they fly off to look for food. Food for fruit bats is fruit and flowers. They prefer our native plants, but if there aren't enough of those, they'll eat other flowers and fruit.
Their food consists on fruit, blossoms, nectar, pollen and small seeds of native trees. The fruit juice and pulp is obtained by crushing the fruit. They spit out the skin and fiber after swallowing the juicy pulp. They also may feed on berries such as grapes and cherries. Fruit bats diet contains mostly just fruit and no insects or blood at all. They do tend to feed from flowers, taking a cue from the butterfly and eating the sweet nectar out of the flowers, but generally speaking a fruit bat will stick to just fruit. Now, the fruit does not always have to be whole, there are many fruit bats that love to lick the juices from crushed fruit, but if they have to, these bats do have teeth which allow them to bite through the hard fruit skins if needed.
Larger fruit bats will sometimes eat an entire fruit piece whole, for they have a larger mouth, bigger teeth and they are able to swallow a larger fruit whole. The smaller fruit bats will just hover and flap their wings in front of the fruit or flower, stealing bites from the fruit or some of that sweet nectar from the flower.
Generally speaking, fruit bats can be found anywhere in the world, they mostly like to stay in the tropical areas because not only do the tropics have an abundance of fruit, but also they have the heat. Bats do not, by nature, like the cold weather and while some bat species are willing to hibernate, the fruit bat is not one of them. This is one of the main reasons why you will find more bats in places like California, Hawaii, Mexico and the tropics. New World fruit bats can be found mainly in areas of tropical America.
Baby fruit bats drink milk from their mother's nipples. The nipples are in mum’s armpits.
Baby bats are about 2 months old when they can fly on their own; their mothers spend a lot of time teaching their babies
Fruit bats are the largest of bats and one of the most important to humans. Many of the fruits and vegetables we enjoy on our table would not exist without fruit bats. While eating fruit, they disperse the seeds all along the ground and pollinate the flowers of many plants. Depending on the species, these bats may consume up to twice their body weight in fruit in less than three hours.
Fruits that depend on bats for pollination or seed dispersal include:
•Bananas
•Peaches
•Dates
•Carob
•Avocados
•Jack fruit
•Plantains
•Mango
•Guava
•Cashews
•Figs
•Durian
Sometimes fruit bats are called flying foxes because of their little fox-like faces.
They have five toes with long claws on each foot. The long claws allow them to hang from trees. They hang upside down most of the time but they straighten up to urinate or defecate by hanging by their thumbs.
Fruit bats tend to live in large colonies, or "camps." in dense forest areas. Within these camps, one male fruit bat usually lives with up to eight female bats.
Their long arms have special skin between their fingers. This skin creates wings that allow bats to fly. Bats are the only mammals that can fly. Fruit bats have very good senses of smell and sight (contrary to the myth that all bats are blind).
Fruit bats are nocturnal, and hang from their feet during the day. They may hang with their wings wrapped around their bodies, or, if it is hot, may use their wings to fan themselves. Although fruit bats are good at flying, landing is another story! Fruit bats can't land gracefully, and instead must crash into bushes or trees to come to a stop, or try to latch onto a branch as they pass by. Sometimes these crash-landings disturb other fruit bats at the site, and cause noisy fights amongst them.
Bats are nocturnal creatures and feed during the night. Their keen sense of smell is important in locating their food. They have sensitive noses and large eyes that enable them to pick up the scents of flowers and ripe fruit and locate them in darkness. Sometimes they travel many kilometers in search of their favorite trees. At sunset they fly off to look for food. Food for fruit bats is fruit and flowers. They prefer our native plants, but if there aren't enough of those, they'll eat other flowers and fruit.
Their food consists on fruit, blossoms, nectar, pollen and small seeds of native trees. The fruit juice and pulp is obtained by crushing the fruit. They spit out the skin and fiber after swallowing the juicy pulp. They also may feed on berries such as grapes and cherries. Fruit bats diet contains mostly just fruit and no insects or blood at all. They do tend to feed from flowers, taking a cue from the butterfly and eating the sweet nectar out of the flowers, but generally speaking a fruit bat will stick to just fruit. Now, the fruit does not always have to be whole, there are many fruit bats that love to lick the juices from crushed fruit, but if they have to, these bats do have teeth which allow them to bite through the hard fruit skins if needed.
Larger fruit bats will sometimes eat an entire fruit piece whole, for they have a larger mouth, bigger teeth and they are able to swallow a larger fruit whole. The smaller fruit bats will just hover and flap their wings in front of the fruit or flower, stealing bites from the fruit or some of that sweet nectar from the flower.
Generally speaking, fruit bats can be found anywhere in the world, they mostly like to stay in the tropical areas because not only do the tropics have an abundance of fruit, but also they have the heat. Bats do not, by nature, like the cold weather and while some bat species are willing to hibernate, the fruit bat is not one of them. This is one of the main reasons why you will find more bats in places like California, Hawaii, Mexico and the tropics. New World fruit bats can be found mainly in areas of tropical America.
Baby fruit bats drink milk from their mother's nipples. The nipples are in mum’s armpits.
Baby bats are about 2 months old when they can fly on their own; their mothers spend a lot of time teaching their babies
Go Go Sadie) Costa Rica is “Pura Vida” - Pure Life!
Go Go Sadie) Costa Rica is “Pura Vida” - Pure Life!
Costa Ricans refer to themselves as Ticos (males) or Ticas (females). Americans and Canadians are often called Gringos/ Gringas.
The national bird is the clay-colored robin (Turdus grayi), and the Guanacaste (Enterolobium cyclocarpum) is the national tree. The national flower is the guaria morada (Cattleya skinneri), an orchid. The national flag is red, white and blue as seen pictured to the left.
Costa Rica has a population of 4.5 million and a life expectancy of almost 77 years - one of the highest in the world.
There are 801 miles of coastline in Costa Rica; learn more about the Pacific and Caribbean beaches.
Costa Rica is divided into seven provinces: San Jose, Alajuela, Heredia, Cartago, Guanacaste, Puntarenas and Limon.
There are more than 121 volcanic formations in Costa Rica, and seven of them are active. Poas Volcano has the second widest crater in the world (nearly one mile in diameter), and Arenal Volcano is one of the ten most active volcanoes in the world.
Chirripo Mountain is the highest point in Costa Rica at 12,500 feet. The country's lowest point is 790 feet below sea level in the caves of Barra Honda National Park.
Irazu is the tallest volcano in Costa Rica at 11,259 feet.
Costa Rica hosts more than 5% of the world’s biodiversity even though its landmass only takes up .03% of the planet's surface. Learn more about Costa Rica's wildlife. There are more than:
130 species of freshwater fish
160 species of amphibians
208 species of mammals
220 species of reptiles
850 species of birds
1,000 species of butterflies
1,200 varieties of orchids
9,000 species of plants
34,000 species of insects
AND still counting as new species are discovered every day
More than 25% of Costa Rica’s land is dedicated to national parks, reserves and wildlife refuges. There are more than 100 different protected areas to visit.
A soda is a small, informal restaurant that serves traditional meals like chicken, rice, beans and salad for $2- $3 a plate.
A pulperia is a neighborhood store that sells essential foodstuffs like canned goods, eggs, milk, bread and some produce.
For most of Costa Rica, the dry season runs from December through April. During these months, the Pacific Coast and most of the Central Valley receive little rain, or the odd afternoon shower. May through mid-November is considered the rainy season, when days are marked by sunny mornings and late afternoon thunderstorms. The Caribbean Coast and Northern Region (Monteverde, Arenal and Sarapiqui areas) are exceptions to this rule, and have no distinct dry season.
The Tempisque River Bridge (known locally as La Puente de Amistad) that connects the mainland to the Nicoya Peninsula was a gift from Taiwan.
Costa Rica's official language is Spanish, though a large number of its citizens are bilingual. English, due to its status as the international language of tourists, is the most common second language in Costa Rica.
About the flag
Five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double width), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white elliptical disk toward the hoist side of the red band.
Symbolism
Each color in the Costa Rican Flag represents important Costa Rican ideals. Blue represents the sky, opportunities within reach, intellectual thinking, perseverance, infinity, eternity, religious ideals and spiritual desires. White symbolizes clear thinking, happiness, wisdom, power and natural beauty, as well as peace and Costa Rican initiative. Red expresses the warmth of the Costa Rican people, their love of life, and blood spilled during the fight for freedom.
The National Shield displays three volcanoes and a valley between two oceans, each one with a merchant ship; these represent the nation’s three mountain ranges, the Central Valley, the country’s two coasts, and the cultural and commercial exchange between Costa Rica and the rest of the world. A sun rises over the horizon, representing Costa Rica’s prosperity, and seven stars dot the blue sky – one for each of the country’s provinces. At top, a blue ribbon states “America Central,” while a white banner below reads “Republica de Costa Rica.” Two myrtle branches sit atop the banner; these symbolize Costa Rica’s peaceful nature. The shield is enclosed on both sides by small, golden circles that represent coffee, also known as “golden beans."
Costa Ricans refer to themselves as Ticos (males) or Ticas (females). Americans and Canadians are often called Gringos/ Gringas.
The national bird is the clay-colored robin (Turdus grayi), and the Guanacaste (Enterolobium cyclocarpum) is the national tree. The national flower is the guaria morada (Cattleya skinneri), an orchid. The national flag is red, white and blue as seen pictured to the left.
Costa Rica has a population of 4.5 million and a life expectancy of almost 77 years - one of the highest in the world.
There are 801 miles of coastline in Costa Rica; learn more about the Pacific and Caribbean beaches.
Costa Rica is divided into seven provinces: San Jose, Alajuela, Heredia, Cartago, Guanacaste, Puntarenas and Limon.
There are more than 121 volcanic formations in Costa Rica, and seven of them are active. Poas Volcano has the second widest crater in the world (nearly one mile in diameter), and Arenal Volcano is one of the ten most active volcanoes in the world.
Chirripo Mountain is the highest point in Costa Rica at 12,500 feet. The country's lowest point is 790 feet below sea level in the caves of Barra Honda National Park.
Irazu is the tallest volcano in Costa Rica at 11,259 feet.
Costa Rica hosts more than 5% of the world’s biodiversity even though its landmass only takes up .03% of the planet's surface. Learn more about Costa Rica's wildlife. There are more than:
130 species of freshwater fish
160 species of amphibians
208 species of mammals
220 species of reptiles
850 species of birds
1,000 species of butterflies
1,200 varieties of orchids
9,000 species of plants
34,000 species of insects
AND still counting as new species are discovered every day
More than 25% of Costa Rica’s land is dedicated to national parks, reserves and wildlife refuges. There are more than 100 different protected areas to visit.
A soda is a small, informal restaurant that serves traditional meals like chicken, rice, beans and salad for $2- $3 a plate.
A pulperia is a neighborhood store that sells essential foodstuffs like canned goods, eggs, milk, bread and some produce.
For most of Costa Rica, the dry season runs from December through April. During these months, the Pacific Coast and most of the Central Valley receive little rain, or the odd afternoon shower. May through mid-November is considered the rainy season, when days are marked by sunny mornings and late afternoon thunderstorms. The Caribbean Coast and Northern Region (Monteverde, Arenal and Sarapiqui areas) are exceptions to this rule, and have no distinct dry season.
The Tempisque River Bridge (known locally as La Puente de Amistad) that connects the mainland to the Nicoya Peninsula was a gift from Taiwan.
Costa Rica's official language is Spanish, though a large number of its citizens are bilingual. English, due to its status as the international language of tourists, is the most common second language in Costa Rica.
About the flag
Five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double width), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white elliptical disk toward the hoist side of the red band.
Symbolism
Each color in the Costa Rican Flag represents important Costa Rican ideals. Blue represents the sky, opportunities within reach, intellectual thinking, perseverance, infinity, eternity, religious ideals and spiritual desires. White symbolizes clear thinking, happiness, wisdom, power and natural beauty, as well as peace and Costa Rican initiative. Red expresses the warmth of the Costa Rican people, their love of life, and blood spilled during the fight for freedom.
The National Shield displays three volcanoes and a valley between two oceans, each one with a merchant ship; these represent the nation’s three mountain ranges, the Central Valley, the country’s two coasts, and the cultural and commercial exchange between Costa Rica and the rest of the world. A sun rises over the horizon, representing Costa Rica’s prosperity, and seven stars dot the blue sky – one for each of the country’s provinces. At top, a blue ribbon states “America Central,” while a white banner below reads “Republica de Costa Rica.” Two myrtle branches sit atop the banner; these symbolize Costa Rica’s peaceful nature. The shield is enclosed on both sides by small, golden circles that represent coffee, also known as “golden beans."
(Go Go Sadie) Lorenzo the Lizard (Coleonyx mitratus)
(Go Go Sadie) Lorenzo the Lizard (Coleonyx mitratus)
There are about 900 species of geckos, ranging in size from 1 inch to 14 inches.
Geckos come in various patterns and colors such as purple, pink, blue, and black. Geckos are among the most colorful lizards in the world.
Geckos are able to run up walls, trees and leaves, no matter how smooth or vertical. Millions of microscopic adhesive hairs on the bottoms of their feet; this means a gecko can support about eight times its weight hanging from just one toe on smooth glass. Geckos' toes seem to be "double jointed", but this is a misnomer. Their toes actually bend in the opposite direction from our fingers and toes.
Most geckos cannot close their eyes.
Like most lizards, the gecko uses its tail to hold food’s nutrition. However, if trapped, it has the ability to break it off, escape, and grow another.
Foods for the geckos range from small baby crickets, roaches, worms, and many have a sweet tooth and like fresh fruits and honey
Geckos are the only lizards that can vocalize; they squawk, chirp and whistle, sometimes to attract a mate, claim their territory or show that they're distressed. Some geckos rub their scales together to imitate poisonous snakes and scare away potential predators.
Camouflage is among a gecko's best traits for survival.
By day the Central American gecko prefers to hide in a burrow in the soil. They emerge at dusk to forage for insects that make up the vast majority of their diet.
There are about 900 species of geckos, ranging in size from 1 inch to 14 inches.
Geckos come in various patterns and colors such as purple, pink, blue, and black. Geckos are among the most colorful lizards in the world.
Geckos are able to run up walls, trees and leaves, no matter how smooth or vertical. Millions of microscopic adhesive hairs on the bottoms of their feet; this means a gecko can support about eight times its weight hanging from just one toe on smooth glass. Geckos' toes seem to be "double jointed", but this is a misnomer. Their toes actually bend in the opposite direction from our fingers and toes.
Most geckos cannot close their eyes.
Like most lizards, the gecko uses its tail to hold food’s nutrition. However, if trapped, it has the ability to break it off, escape, and grow another.
Foods for the geckos range from small baby crickets, roaches, worms, and many have a sweet tooth and like fresh fruits and honey
Geckos are the only lizards that can vocalize; they squawk, chirp and whistle, sometimes to attract a mate, claim their territory or show that they're distressed. Some geckos rub their scales together to imitate poisonous snakes and scare away potential predators.
Camouflage is among a gecko's best traits for survival.
By day the Central American gecko prefers to hide in a burrow in the soil. They emerge at dusk to forage for insects that make up the vast majority of their diet.
(Go Go Sadie) Hope the Hummingbird (Trochilidae)
(Go Go Sadie) Hope the Hummingbird (Trochilidae)
There are many types or species of hummingbirds in the world, as many as 356 species of hummingbirds have been discovered.
Most hummingbirds flap their wings about 50 or so times a second, faster than any other bird; Hummingbirds flap their wings 50 to 200 times per second; they can fly up, down, right, left, backwards, upside down and even loop-de-loops!
They have tiny little feet that are only good for perching, scratching or preening. This means if they wish to move, even a few inches, they must fly.
A hummingbird's heart beats up to 1,260 times per minute.
Hummingbirds fly an average 25-30 mph, but can reach speeds of 60 mph when diving.
Hummingbirds may visit as many as 1,000 flowers per day in their non-stop search for food; they can starve to death in about an hour; they eat every 10 minutes throughout the day. Even though they are tiny birds, they consume up to 50% of their body weight in a day.
Their main diet is sugar which they get from plant nectar or from kind-hearted people with feeders; they also eat bugs for protein. Hummingbirds have grooves on the sides of their tongues; this is to help catch insects; their tongues can take up to 13 licks a second.
Although the hummingbird is the smallest species of bird, its brain accounts for 4.2% of its total body weight, making it, proportionately, the largest brain in the bird kingdom.
Hummingbirds can live 10 or more years in the wild.
There are many types or species of hummingbirds in the world, as many as 356 species of hummingbirds have been discovered.
Most hummingbirds flap their wings about 50 or so times a second, faster than any other bird; Hummingbirds flap their wings 50 to 200 times per second; they can fly up, down, right, left, backwards, upside down and even loop-de-loops!
They have tiny little feet that are only good for perching, scratching or preening. This means if they wish to move, even a few inches, they must fly.
A hummingbird's heart beats up to 1,260 times per minute.
Hummingbirds fly an average 25-30 mph, but can reach speeds of 60 mph when diving.
Hummingbirds may visit as many as 1,000 flowers per day in their non-stop search for food; they can starve to death in about an hour; they eat every 10 minutes throughout the day. Even though they are tiny birds, they consume up to 50% of their body weight in a day.
Their main diet is sugar which they get from plant nectar or from kind-hearted people with feeders; they also eat bugs for protein. Hummingbirds have grooves on the sides of their tongues; this is to help catch insects; their tongues can take up to 13 licks a second.
Although the hummingbird is the smallest species of bird, its brain accounts for 4.2% of its total body weight, making it, proportionately, the largest brain in the bird kingdom.
Hummingbirds can live 10 or more years in the wild.
(Go Go Sadie) Joel the Jaguar (Panthera onca)
(Go Go Sadie) Joel the Jaguar (Panthera onca)
The scientific name for jaguar, Panthera onca, means "hunter" and "hook" or "barb." This refers to their stealth and their formidable claws.
The South American native word for jaguar, yaguara, means "animal that kills in a single bound."
Jaguars are considered one of the fastest animals on Earth!
Jaguars weigh 200-250 pounds with a body length of 5-7 feet.
Besides Guatemala and Belize, Costa Rica has one of the highest Jaguar populations in the world.
The Jaguar is the 3rd largest feline after the tiger and lion.
The jaguar is the only big cat that does not roar.
Jaguars can live up to 25 years in captivity. In the wild the jaguar’s average lifespan is between 12-15 years
Jaguars mainly live in dense forests, but, have been found in different types of forests and even in open land. No matter where they live, it’s mandatory that the place has water because Jaguars, like other felines, love swimming; Jaguars are excellent swimmers.
Like other cats, jaguars have eyes that are adapted for night hunting. One key element is their eyeshine, caused by a mirror-like structure called the tapetum lucidum. The tapetum lucidum in the back of their eye reflects light into the retina, nearly doubling their ability to see. If you have a pet cat or dog, you can see this eyeshine at night. Jaguars see less detail and color in daylight but have better vision at night in low light.
A jaguar may go "fishing" by waving its tail over the water to attract hungry fish; The jaguar is an expert at catching fish.
Jaguars hunting methods are adventurous and thrilling. They stalk predators! Meaning that they will stalk there food first, ambush with integrity and then will look for the opportunity to attack with fierce speed.
Jaguars are known to eat over 85 different animal species, including tapirs, porcupines, birds, fish, lizards, turtles, armadillos, and monkeys. They’ve also been seen to eat an occasional avocado.
Jaguars have developed an exceptionally powerful bite with their strong teeth that can even pierce the shell of armored reptiles! They use their powerful jaws to open the shells plus, they bite the scull of their prey delivering a fatal blow to their brain. Jaguars kill with either a bite to the neck or a crushing paw strike.
Jaguars are nocturnal predators and are pretty much loners. They are solitary animals that usually only come together to breed.
Jaguars can mate at any time of the year. Females give birth to a litter of 2 to 4 cubs after a gestation period of 100 days. Mothers feed their cubs until they are about a year old. Cubs will remain with their mother until the age of 2 years. Females reach sexual maturity between 2 to 3 years and males reach sexual maturity between 3 to 4 years.
The scientific name for jaguar, Panthera onca, means "hunter" and "hook" or "barb." This refers to their stealth and their formidable claws.
The South American native word for jaguar, yaguara, means "animal that kills in a single bound."
Jaguars are considered one of the fastest animals on Earth!
Jaguars weigh 200-250 pounds with a body length of 5-7 feet.
Besides Guatemala and Belize, Costa Rica has one of the highest Jaguar populations in the world.
The Jaguar is the 3rd largest feline after the tiger and lion.
The jaguar is the only big cat that does not roar.
Jaguars can live up to 25 years in captivity. In the wild the jaguar’s average lifespan is between 12-15 years
Jaguars mainly live in dense forests, but, have been found in different types of forests and even in open land. No matter where they live, it’s mandatory that the place has water because Jaguars, like other felines, love swimming; Jaguars are excellent swimmers.
Like other cats, jaguars have eyes that are adapted for night hunting. One key element is their eyeshine, caused by a mirror-like structure called the tapetum lucidum. The tapetum lucidum in the back of their eye reflects light into the retina, nearly doubling their ability to see. If you have a pet cat or dog, you can see this eyeshine at night. Jaguars see less detail and color in daylight but have better vision at night in low light.
A jaguar may go "fishing" by waving its tail over the water to attract hungry fish; The jaguar is an expert at catching fish.
Jaguars hunting methods are adventurous and thrilling. They stalk predators! Meaning that they will stalk there food first, ambush with integrity and then will look for the opportunity to attack with fierce speed.
Jaguars are known to eat over 85 different animal species, including tapirs, porcupines, birds, fish, lizards, turtles, armadillos, and monkeys. They’ve also been seen to eat an occasional avocado.
Jaguars have developed an exceptionally powerful bite with their strong teeth that can even pierce the shell of armored reptiles! They use their powerful jaws to open the shells plus, they bite the scull of their prey delivering a fatal blow to their brain. Jaguars kill with either a bite to the neck or a crushing paw strike.
Jaguars are nocturnal predators and are pretty much loners. They are solitary animals that usually only come together to breed.
Jaguars can mate at any time of the year. Females give birth to a litter of 2 to 4 cubs after a gestation period of 100 days. Mothers feed their cubs until they are about a year old. Cubs will remain with their mother until the age of 2 years. Females reach sexual maturity between 2 to 3 years and males reach sexual maturity between 3 to 4 years.
(Go Go Sadie) Jo Jo the Toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus)
(Go Go Sadie) Jo Jo the Toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus)
There are 37 different species of Toucans.
Toucans are frugivores, so they eat mostly fruits and nuts. However, they occasionally snack on insects, small lizards, bird eggs, and tree frogs.
Snakes and lizards often raid bird nests. Birds of prey, such as eagles and hawks, are predators of many species of birds. Felines, such as jaguars and margays, will also eat a toucan.
The 7.5-inch-long (19-centimeter-long) beak may be seen as a desirable mating trait, but if so, it is one that both male and female toucans possess. In fact, both sexes use their bills to catch tasty morsels and pitch them to one another during a mating ritual fruit toss. The birds use their beaks to reach fruit on branches that are too small to support their weight, and also to skin their pickings.
As a weapon, the bill is a bit more show than substance. It is a honeycomb of bone that actually contains a lot of air. While its size may deter predators, it is of little use in combating them.
A key function of the toucan’s large colorful beak is to help the toucan keep cool in tropical climates, or when expending a lot of energy while flying. Just as elephants flush their large ears with blood to let the heat dissipate into the air, and thus keep the core temperature of the body stable, so the toucan uses its massive beak to radiate heat away rapidly. The beak is able to cool the bird because heat is transferred into it through the blood and can then be dissipated into the air. By increasing the flow of blood to the beak, which comprises 30 to 50 per cent of the toucan's surface area, the bird succeeds in getting rid of more heat.
Toucans nest and sleep in hollow tree holes, which protect them from hunters and stalkers. If they don't fit, they turn themselves into a feathery ball to make their body smaller.
Toucans live in small flocks of about six birds; they nest in tree holes their bright colors actually provide good camouflage in the rain forest canopy. They will often set up a raucous chorus of noise whenever a predator is near the flock; Toucans are very noisy.
Toucans live in the canopy layer, high in the trees, where they can build nests and protect their young from understory and forest floor predators. Toucans nest in tree holes. They usually have two to four eggs each year, which both parents care for. Young toucans do not have a large bill at birth—it grows as they develop and does not become full size for several months.
Toucans spread fruit seeds! They eat the fruit, and the seeds pass through their stomachs unharmed. In other words, many forest trees do not grow under a parent tree, but grow where birds drop the seeds
There are 37 different species of Toucans.
Toucans are frugivores, so they eat mostly fruits and nuts. However, they occasionally snack on insects, small lizards, bird eggs, and tree frogs.
Snakes and lizards often raid bird nests. Birds of prey, such as eagles and hawks, are predators of many species of birds. Felines, such as jaguars and margays, will also eat a toucan.
The 7.5-inch-long (19-centimeter-long) beak may be seen as a desirable mating trait, but if so, it is one that both male and female toucans possess. In fact, both sexes use their bills to catch tasty morsels and pitch them to one another during a mating ritual fruit toss. The birds use their beaks to reach fruit on branches that are too small to support their weight, and also to skin their pickings.
As a weapon, the bill is a bit more show than substance. It is a honeycomb of bone that actually contains a lot of air. While its size may deter predators, it is of little use in combating them.
A key function of the toucan’s large colorful beak is to help the toucan keep cool in tropical climates, or when expending a lot of energy while flying. Just as elephants flush their large ears with blood to let the heat dissipate into the air, and thus keep the core temperature of the body stable, so the toucan uses its massive beak to radiate heat away rapidly. The beak is able to cool the bird because heat is transferred into it through the blood and can then be dissipated into the air. By increasing the flow of blood to the beak, which comprises 30 to 50 per cent of the toucan's surface area, the bird succeeds in getting rid of more heat.
Toucans nest and sleep in hollow tree holes, which protect them from hunters and stalkers. If they don't fit, they turn themselves into a feathery ball to make their body smaller.
Toucans live in small flocks of about six birds; they nest in tree holes their bright colors actually provide good camouflage in the rain forest canopy. They will often set up a raucous chorus of noise whenever a predator is near the flock; Toucans are very noisy.
Toucans live in the canopy layer, high in the trees, where they can build nests and protect their young from understory and forest floor predators. Toucans nest in tree holes. They usually have two to four eggs each year, which both parents care for. Young toucans do not have a large bill at birth—it grows as they develop and does not become full size for several months.
Toucans spread fruit seeds! They eat the fruit, and the seeds pass through their stomachs unharmed. In other words, many forest trees do not grow under a parent tree, but grow where birds drop the seeds
(Go Go Sadie) Jill & Francisco the Red-eyed Treefrog (Agalychnis callidryas)
(Go Go Sadie) Jill & Francisco the Red-eyed Treefrog (Agalychnis callidryas)
Agalychnis callidryas: This name comes from the Greek words kallos, meaning beautiful and dryas meaning tree/wood nymph.
The red eyed tree frog is found in the tropical lowlands of southern Mexico, throughout Central America and in northern South America.
Although they are not endangered, their habitat of the rainforest is rapidly being depleted. This is one of the unfortunate red eyed tree frog facts. They have become the symbol for rainforest preservation, as seen in many posters and advertisements for this cause.
Red eyed tree frog sleep during the day and feeds at night. During the day, they self-camouflage for protection. Red eyed tree frogs remain motionless, cover their blue and yellow sides with their back legs and tuck their orange feet under their belly. They shut their vibrant red eyes with one of their three eyelids, which disguises the bright color but allows them to see.
Their red eyes are a form of protection against predators. If a predator approaches, the frog opens his eyes and this startles the predator. This is called “startle coloration”. The bright color of the frog’s eyes startles the predator and this slight delay in attack gives the nimble frog sufficient time to escape.
The red eyed tree frog lives approximately 5 years in the wild and about 10 years in captivity.
The female grows approximately one inch longer than the male, which grows up to 2 inches.
The young red eyed tree frog is generally brown and turns green as it matures. Their color is also affected by environment and stressors.
The red eyed tree frog is also called red eyed leaf frog and is sometimes nicknamed “monkey frog” because they spend the majority of their life in trees and are great jumpers.
Their big, crimson colored eyes can see in most directions. They also have excellent depth perception and can see for long distances. They possess good color vision, which enables them to move toward their desired forested terrain.
They have sticky pads on their toes to help them cling to surfaces.
They are not poisonous and make wonderful pets; although, they should not be handled.
They are best left alone and admired for their wonderful character and striking appearance.
Agalychnis callidryas: This name comes from the Greek words kallos, meaning beautiful and dryas meaning tree/wood nymph.
The red eyed tree frog is found in the tropical lowlands of southern Mexico, throughout Central America and in northern South America.
Although they are not endangered, their habitat of the rainforest is rapidly being depleted. This is one of the unfortunate red eyed tree frog facts. They have become the symbol for rainforest preservation, as seen in many posters and advertisements for this cause.
Red eyed tree frog sleep during the day and feeds at night. During the day, they self-camouflage for protection. Red eyed tree frogs remain motionless, cover their blue and yellow sides with their back legs and tuck their orange feet under their belly. They shut their vibrant red eyes with one of their three eyelids, which disguises the bright color but allows them to see.
Their red eyes are a form of protection against predators. If a predator approaches, the frog opens his eyes and this startles the predator. This is called “startle coloration”. The bright color of the frog’s eyes startles the predator and this slight delay in attack gives the nimble frog sufficient time to escape.
The red eyed tree frog lives approximately 5 years in the wild and about 10 years in captivity.
The female grows approximately one inch longer than the male, which grows up to 2 inches.
The young red eyed tree frog is generally brown and turns green as it matures. Their color is also affected by environment and stressors.
The red eyed tree frog is also called red eyed leaf frog and is sometimes nicknamed “monkey frog” because they spend the majority of their life in trees and are great jumpers.
Their big, crimson colored eyes can see in most directions. They also have excellent depth perception and can see for long distances. They possess good color vision, which enables them to move toward their desired forested terrain.
They have sticky pads on their toes to help them cling to surfaces.
They are not poisonous and make wonderful pets; although, they should not be handled.
They are best left alone and admired for their wonderful character and striking appearance.
(Go Go Sadie ) Sadie the Sloth (Megalonychidae (two-toed sloths) & Bradypodidae (three-toed sloths)
(Go Go Sadie ) Sadie the Sloth (Megalonychidae (two-toed sloths) & Bradypodidae (three-toed sloths)
Sloths belong to one of two families, known as the Megalonychidae ("two-toed" sloths) and the Bradypodidae (three-toed sloths). All sloths have three toes; the "two-toed" sloths, however, have only two fingers. Two-toed sloths are generally faster moving than three-toed sloths. Both sloth types tend to occupy the same forests.
Sloths live in the tropical rain forest of Costa Rica. They hang upside down, clinging to the tree limbs with their toes or claws. Sloths can sleep around ten hours per day, and the other time is spent eating mostly tender shoots and leaves of the Cecropia trees. These leaves provide very little energy and do not digest easily, therefore, the Sloth has a large, specialized slow acting stomach with multiple compartments in which symbiotic bacteria break down the tough leaves, and the digestive process can take a month or longer. The sloth has a very slow metabolic rate and maintains low body temperatures, around 86-93 degrees F.
Sloth furs exhibit specialized functions: the outer hairs grow in a direction opposite from that of other mammals. In most mammals hairs grow toward the extremities, but because sloths spend so much time upside down, their hairs grow away from the extremities in order to provide protection from the elements while the sloth hangs upside down. In most conditions, the fur hosts two species of symbiotic cyanobacteria, which provide camouflage. Because of the cyanobacteria, sloth fur is a small ecosystem of its own, hosting many species of non-parasitic insects. Sloths have short, flat heads; big eyes; a short snout; long legs; and tiny ears. They also have stubby tails, usually 6–7 cm long. Altogether, sloths' bodies usually are anywhere between 50 and 60 cm long and weigh around 8.75 pounds. The average lifespan is somewhere around 20 years; although there have been 40 year old sloths.
Sloths climb down to the ground about once a week to urinate and defecate, and go to the same spot all the time, where the sloths seem to find each other for breeding purposes. Sloths go to the ground to urinate and defecate about once a week, digging a hole and covering it afterwards. They go to the same spot each time and are vulnerable to predation while doing so. Sometimes the sloths' low level of movement actually keeps females from finding males for longer than one year. They also mate while hanging. Females normally bear one baby every year. Mother sloths give birth to their babies upside down. Infant sloths normally cling to their mother's fur. But they sometimes fall, it's not the fall what kills them, it's because the mothers don't go down to get them back.
Sloths' claws serve as their only natural defense. A cornered sloth may swipe at its attackers in an effort to scare them away or wound them. Despite sloths' apparent defenselessness, predators do not pose special problems: sloths blend in with the trees and, moving only slowly, do not attract attention. Only during their infrequent visits to ground level do they become vulnerable. The main predators of sloths are the jaguar, the harpy eagle, and humans. The majority of recorded sloth deaths in Costa Rica are due to contact with electrical lines and poachers.
Sloths are very slow creatures on land, but are very competent and fast swimmers under the water. When do they go into the water? If and when they want to – that’s up to each individual sloth.
Sloths belong to one of two families, known as the Megalonychidae ("two-toed" sloths) and the Bradypodidae (three-toed sloths). All sloths have three toes; the "two-toed" sloths, however, have only two fingers. Two-toed sloths are generally faster moving than three-toed sloths. Both sloth types tend to occupy the same forests.
Sloths live in the tropical rain forest of Costa Rica. They hang upside down, clinging to the tree limbs with their toes or claws. Sloths can sleep around ten hours per day, and the other time is spent eating mostly tender shoots and leaves of the Cecropia trees. These leaves provide very little energy and do not digest easily, therefore, the Sloth has a large, specialized slow acting stomach with multiple compartments in which symbiotic bacteria break down the tough leaves, and the digestive process can take a month or longer. The sloth has a very slow metabolic rate and maintains low body temperatures, around 86-93 degrees F.
Sloth furs exhibit specialized functions: the outer hairs grow in a direction opposite from that of other mammals. In most mammals hairs grow toward the extremities, but because sloths spend so much time upside down, their hairs grow away from the extremities in order to provide protection from the elements while the sloth hangs upside down. In most conditions, the fur hosts two species of symbiotic cyanobacteria, which provide camouflage. Because of the cyanobacteria, sloth fur is a small ecosystem of its own, hosting many species of non-parasitic insects. Sloths have short, flat heads; big eyes; a short snout; long legs; and tiny ears. They also have stubby tails, usually 6–7 cm long. Altogether, sloths' bodies usually are anywhere between 50 and 60 cm long and weigh around 8.75 pounds. The average lifespan is somewhere around 20 years; although there have been 40 year old sloths.
Sloths climb down to the ground about once a week to urinate and defecate, and go to the same spot all the time, where the sloths seem to find each other for breeding purposes. Sloths go to the ground to urinate and defecate about once a week, digging a hole and covering it afterwards. They go to the same spot each time and are vulnerable to predation while doing so. Sometimes the sloths' low level of movement actually keeps females from finding males for longer than one year. They also mate while hanging. Females normally bear one baby every year. Mother sloths give birth to their babies upside down. Infant sloths normally cling to their mother's fur. But they sometimes fall, it's not the fall what kills them, it's because the mothers don't go down to get them back.
Sloths' claws serve as their only natural defense. A cornered sloth may swipe at its attackers in an effort to scare them away or wound them. Despite sloths' apparent defenselessness, predators do not pose special problems: sloths blend in with the trees and, moving only slowly, do not attract attention. Only during their infrequent visits to ground level do they become vulnerable. The main predators of sloths are the jaguar, the harpy eagle, and humans. The majority of recorded sloth deaths in Costa Rica are due to contact with electrical lines and poachers.
Sloths are very slow creatures on land, but are very competent and fast swimmers under the water. When do they go into the water? If and when they want to – that’s up to each individual sloth.
(Momo Come Home) - Momo the Parrotlet (Green-rumped parrotlets, Forpus passerinus)
(Momo Come Home) - Momo the Parrotlet (Green-rumped parrotlets, Forpus passerinus)
Parrotlets originate from South America in the area of Peru and Ecuador. Their natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests, and/or moist lowland forests. One of the most common species kept as pets is the Pacific Parrotlet (Forpus coelestis) also known as Lesson's Parrotlet and Celestial Parrotlet. The natural coloring for this species found in the wild is green. These miniature parrots in the wild travel in flocks, which, depending on the species can range from, as low as four to over 100 birds.
A Parrotlet is the second smallest kind of parrot in the world measuring (4½–5 inches in length) - the smallest being the pygmy parrot species of Australasia (averaging around 3 inches in length). Parrotlets rarely grow bigger than 5 inches or 13 cm. The body is stocky and the tail is short and broad. Parrotlets are sexually dimorphic, meaning males can be distinguished from females. Males have markings of cobalt blue on their head, wings and tail and back, they also have blue streaking back from their eyes. Females generally lack these blue markings.
Parrotlets are intelligent, fearless & quite charismatic, they are known to be very territorial and may attack other species of birds; they often demand a lot of attention! The most popular pet species are the Pacific, Mexican, and green-rumped species. Parrotlets spend most of their day playing with toys, hanging upside down or eating. Since the parrotlet is an intelligent and curious bird, it is important to provide it with plenty of toys and things to investigate in the cage, otherwise it may grow bored and listless. Parrotlets need to sleep at least for 10 hours with darkness and quiet.
Parrotlets' beak is quite large and powerful in proportion to the body. Many people refer to them as "amazons in pint-sized bodies" because of their often fearless nature. Parrotlets are bold, fearless & very territorial and while their vocabulary is limited, they make their presence known. Parrotlets can mimic, but the voice is very small and sometimes it is difficult to recognize words. They have about the same speaking and whistling capabilities of a cockatiel. Some learn to talk, while others never will. Generally speaking, males are more inclined to speak than females. They may to learn up to 10-15 words, and some of them also learn to whistle tunes and sounds they are exposed to. My momo learned to say "Kiss Kiss".
Don’t underestimate bird brains. Behavioral scientists believe that parrotlets have the IQ of a four year old child. No wonder they’re one of the easiest birds to train!
Parrotlets have quite the appetite; they eat more than cockatiels do even though they are smaller. As pets, Parrotlets can eat small or mini pellets, they as enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains such as cooked quinoa, sprouted bread, and their favorite millet.
Parrotlets form strong pair bonds with mates; their expected lifespan can range from 12 to 20 years.
Other Parrotlet Species:
Pacific parrotlets - (Forpus coelestis)
Mexican parrotlet - (Forpus cyanopgius)
Blue-wing parrotlet - (Forpus xanthopterygius)
Spectacled parrotlet - (Forpus conspicillatus)
Yellow-faced parrotlet- (Forpus xanthops)
Parrotlets originate from South America in the area of Peru and Ecuador. Their natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests, and/or moist lowland forests. One of the most common species kept as pets is the Pacific Parrotlet (Forpus coelestis) also known as Lesson's Parrotlet and Celestial Parrotlet. The natural coloring for this species found in the wild is green. These miniature parrots in the wild travel in flocks, which, depending on the species can range from, as low as four to over 100 birds.
A Parrotlet is the second smallest kind of parrot in the world measuring (4½–5 inches in length) - the smallest being the pygmy parrot species of Australasia (averaging around 3 inches in length). Parrotlets rarely grow bigger than 5 inches or 13 cm. The body is stocky and the tail is short and broad. Parrotlets are sexually dimorphic, meaning males can be distinguished from females. Males have markings of cobalt blue on their head, wings and tail and back, they also have blue streaking back from their eyes. Females generally lack these blue markings.
Parrotlets are intelligent, fearless & quite charismatic, they are known to be very territorial and may attack other species of birds; they often demand a lot of attention! The most popular pet species are the Pacific, Mexican, and green-rumped species. Parrotlets spend most of their day playing with toys, hanging upside down or eating. Since the parrotlet is an intelligent and curious bird, it is important to provide it with plenty of toys and things to investigate in the cage, otherwise it may grow bored and listless. Parrotlets need to sleep at least for 10 hours with darkness and quiet.
Parrotlets' beak is quite large and powerful in proportion to the body. Many people refer to them as "amazons in pint-sized bodies" because of their often fearless nature. Parrotlets are bold, fearless & very territorial and while their vocabulary is limited, they make their presence known. Parrotlets can mimic, but the voice is very small and sometimes it is difficult to recognize words. They have about the same speaking and whistling capabilities of a cockatiel. Some learn to talk, while others never will. Generally speaking, males are more inclined to speak than females. They may to learn up to 10-15 words, and some of them also learn to whistle tunes and sounds they are exposed to. My momo learned to say "Kiss Kiss".
Don’t underestimate bird brains. Behavioral scientists believe that parrotlets have the IQ of a four year old child. No wonder they’re one of the easiest birds to train!
Parrotlets have quite the appetite; they eat more than cockatiels do even though they are smaller. As pets, Parrotlets can eat small or mini pellets, they as enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains such as cooked quinoa, sprouted bread, and their favorite millet.
Parrotlets form strong pair bonds with mates; their expected lifespan can range from 12 to 20 years.
Other Parrotlet Species:
Pacific parrotlets - (Forpus coelestis)
Mexican parrotlet - (Forpus cyanopgius)
Blue-wing parrotlet - (Forpus xanthopterygius)
Spectacled parrotlet - (Forpus conspicillatus)
Yellow-faced parrotlet- (Forpus xanthops)
Children’s Author Bonnie Lee
Originally from New York City, Bonnie Lee moved to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1988. Having had the blessing to immerse in both metropolitan cities’ cultures, she embodies the finest of both east and west coast sensibilities.
Bonnie is a savvy world traveler who has lived in numerous international hotspots including Japan, where she served as an ESL (English as a Second Language) Specialist for three years. Israel, France and Costa Rica were also all home to Bonnie for several months each.
With a profound sense of joie de vivre, Bonnie has pursued different passions throughout life, one of which led her to the exciting and unusual profession of a flying trapeze artist for the ever popular Cirque du Soleil group.
Bonnie currently resides in the Bay Area, focusing on both her profession as a paralegal of patents and intellectual property as well as continuing to author children’s books.
Bonnie is a savvy world traveler who has lived in numerous international hotspots including Japan, where she served as an ESL (English as a Second Language) Specialist for three years. Israel, France and Costa Rica were also all home to Bonnie for several months each.
With a profound sense of joie de vivre, Bonnie has pursued different passions throughout life, one of which led her to the exciting and unusual profession of a flying trapeze artist for the ever popular Cirque du Soleil group.
Bonnie currently resides in the Bay Area, focusing on both her profession as a paralegal of patents and intellectual property as well as continuing to author children’s books.
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