Show:
Critters
Anatomy
Behavior
Names
Miscellaneous
100
The largest bird in the world today
What is the Ostrich?
100
Evolving from reptile scales, these represent one of the birds most distinguishing features
What are Feathers?
100
The primary reason some birds fly south for the winter from CT
What is Food availability?
100
The more common name of the Strigiform bird group
What are the Owls?
100
Hemotoxins and Neurotoxins are both versions of this substance
What is Snake Venom?
200
The largest venomous snake in the world?
What is the King Cobra?
200
Found on precocial hatchlings, and near the skin of many birds, especially waterfowl.
What are Down Feathers?
200
Moving onto land, this was the reptiles biggest obstacle to overcome
What is dehydration; retaining water?
200
This Galliform is now very common in CT; was extirpated long ago, but returned in late 1900s.
What is the Wild Turkey?
200
Characteristic of animals with two distinct seasonal 'coats'
What is (seasonal) dichromaticism?
300
The largest snake in the world
What is the Reticulated Python?
300
The larger feathers of the tail and wing, allow lift and flight.
What are Quill feathers?
300
Without this happening, the laid egg in the bird nest will never hatch.
What is Incubation?
300
This Galliform was introduced from Asia over 100 yrs ago and is still very successful.
What is the Ringneck Pheasant?
300
The branch of science that studies Birds
What is Ornithology?
400
This 'flying lizard' is the first species of bird in the fossil record
What is Archaeopteryx?
400
This projection on a hatchlings beak allows it to break the eggshell, initiating hatching
What is the Egg Tooth?
400
The occasional 'shedding of skin' that snakes undergo.
What is molting (ecdysis)?
400
This Anseriform was almost extinct in CT in the early 1900's. It is now the most common breeding waterfowl on the East Coast...and they're so cute!
What is the Wood Duck?
400
The 'Bird Continent'
What is South America?
500
This group of animals was the likely transition between the reptiles and birds
What are the Thecodonts?
500
This infrared sensor in some vipers make them outstanding nocturnal hunters.
What is the Pit Gland?
500
Shortly following hatch, baby birds go through this period of 'identifying themselves'
What is Imprinting?
500
Many people think this Passeriform is an indicator of Spring. Most species are actually here all year round!
What is the Robin?
500
This is the primary reason for the brilliant colors of many tropical birds
What is mating?