Thursday, 4-24-08
Today was our last day out in the field. Like last week, it was raining and cold. When we're bringing in the traps we first walk and check all the traps. ATVs can't be used for two main reasons: the trees are too close together and there are too many boulders. If any of our traps are closed, that tells us that an animal most likely is in the trap. We carry the closed traps back to our meeting spot and wait for everyone to return. Then we take turns opening our traps. We open the traps in a bag to make sure the animal doesn't get out.
Today I caught two voles. We haven't had much luck at our new location.
Our previous location (Cook's Lake) is a more remote, country-type location. Our current location is still not in a city but there are a few houses around. The house lots are 15-20 acres per home (unlike our homes which usually have less than one acre each). In total, there might be 10 houses in a very large area. Where we were working, there were no houses and there were none within sight (or close walking distance).
The disappointment showed as we checked our traps. We all were a little disappointed because we had all caught voles but we all wanted lemmings or flying squirrels, or mice. As the last trap was opened, the animal came out of the bag and we could immediately tell it wasn't a vole. It was a rock lemming!!!!! We had finally caught one.
We later learned (from Chris, one of the scientists) that rock lemmings and rock voles are the same animal. Since we had been catching red backed voles, we determined that we would call it a rock lemming (since it really is one).
My question/comment for you...Compare and contrast East Port Medway (current location) with Cook's Lake. I've given you a lot of information in my blogs and videos. Use this information to help you form your ideas. Make sure to include the following information in your answer:
1) Describe the habitats we surveyed/investigated(use as many adjectives as you can)
2) tell me your ideas on what makes a good habitat for small mammals
3) Why you think we aren't trapping the small animals I thought we would see (keep in mind that only bears, groundhogs, and bats hibernate here)
4) Do you think any of this is because of climate change (NOT the greenhouse effect or greenhouse gases)? Why or why not?
Tomorrow we're doing a survival course. Apparently we will be outside for this exercise. I think it will be about trapping animals for survial purposes (eating & other survival skills). We were supposed to do it today but our van broke down and the weather was not good for being outside
Tomorrow we were supposed to go to a national park and do a scat quadrat but with the van broken we won't be able to go. We will spend time on the beach walking around looking for otter scat.
.
posted by mrskrekeler @ 7:35 PM
75 Comments:
Hi Mrs. Krekeler!,
The beaver poo video was very funny! Do you think the beaver slept under the rock it pooed by?
I think that the two sites are different in that cooks lake is very remote and possibly has more wild animals near it than your present location.
l.p. 4
hk3
i'm happy you found a rock lemming
can you take a pic of it so we can see it? that will be awsome!!!
1. we survayed holes animals in the ground.
2.for small animals i think little holes sill be a good habitat or a nest thing on the ground made out of twigs.
3.so they could make more animals and becasue they are small they could die easly.
4.no because it wouldn't really have anything to do with catching little animals/or not.
i'll see you when you come back...~! bye bye
I think that Cook's lake will be better because it is more remote. The habitat that you are investigated sounds good. I think a good habitat for small mammals would be an area with a lot of trees for hiding purposes and vegetation. I think that yo arent trapping small animals is because you might not like what you see if something goes out of hand. I think that some of this maybe from a climate change like if there is less vegatation in an area that animals are looking for more food resources.
Ms4
Hey it's me again, I forgot to tell you that that is really cool how you found a rock flemming. That must have been exciting! Can't wait untill you get back.
MS4 :)
it's great that you finaly cought a rock lemming although a flying squirel would be awsome.don't you have to catch flying squirels in tree traps.
MED3
Hi Mrs. Krekeler! I am so excited for you catching a rock lemming.
tm3
that is a cool rockre you having a good day lemming a
hi mrs.krekeler
i think the 2 sites are diffrent than that cooks lake because cooks lake is very populated with animals and isnt very effected by humans
ME3
Heyyyyyyy Mrs. Krekeler,
Im sooooo glad that you caught a rock lemming!!!!:):):):):) I cant wait for you to come back. heard that you will be flying back today so GOOD LUCK!!
AP period 3
Hi Mrs.Krekler,
What is up??? i cant wait 2 c ya!!
I hope u enjoy one of ur last days there!!! I cant wait 4 you to tell our class about all the animals u have seen!!!!
EG3
hey!
What does a rock lemming look like???
AP Period 3
Hi mrs. Krekler,
That video was hilarious! i love how you made a video for beaver poo! very clever.
D.H. period 3
hi. the two places are different because one has some houses on it, and cook lake doesn't have many houses on it. the animals like the more remote place, not the place with some houses. i don't think that the climate change had much to do with it. i don't know.
sas3
hey i think that the ideal place for small mammals are places that have small places to hide from predators and to store food and places that have a ton of food.
i am so glad ur coming back soon i cant wait to see u soon.
NM3
hi!
Is it ok if we can see the picture of the rock lemming because they look very nice and it looks just like the vole. I think that Cook's lake is better because it is more remote than where you are now.
TN per. 3
hi!
Is it ok if we can see the picture of the rock lemming because they look very nice and it looks just like the vole. I think that Cook's lake is better because it is more remote than where you are now.
TN per. 3
your present location probably have less animals because there are more people here than at cooks lake
NM3
heyyy mrs krekeler
Imsoo happpy youre coming back!! :) you probably had so much fun but I guess its fun to come back..... well I got to go
AP period: 3
Hi Ms. Krekeler
I think the Cook's Lake was a larger area than East Port Medway so probably there are going to be less animals in your current location.
1.) You surveyed a lot of small animals in Cook's Lake and some in your current location.
2.) Good habitat will be where there is warmth and coziness for the animal.
3.) Not trapping small animals is good because of course they are small and sensitive. So, they may die if they are kept in the trap for hours.
4.) The basic reason is climate change because animals live in their own suitable conditions and then migrate to a location.Only 1 day to go(leaving weekend)and I'm real excited. come soon. rg3
1) they are very curious which gets them into the traps
2)they should not go toward things that they have never seen before
3)Bears and such area at the top of the food chain so they are not as important to catch
4)This is because they might still be hibernating
MGA 3rd
Dear Ms. Krekler
I am very sorry that your van broke down, and your dissappointed but a lot of good things are happening back at Houston I hope you have a safe trip coming back.
CM period 5
hey mrs krekeler!
they beaver poop veido was funny!! the anwers to your questions are
1.you surveyed a lot of small animals in Cook's Lake and some in your current location.
2.a good habbit for an animals would be warmth and cozziness .
3.i think that you do not trap small animals because they are so small and they might die if left in the trap to long.
cant wait to see you soon!!!
cb period 3
You surveryed and investigated habitats that were very wooded, so wooded that you had to chop down trees to get through. It was also very cold and wet- the kind of habitat for a thick furred animal. A good habitat for a small mammal is one with many trees and bushes and small little hiding spaces. This would be good for them because they need places they can hide in if they are trying to get away from a predator. You might not of caught little mammals because of a climate change and they might not be used to the climate there. That could of kelled them or they could of moved to a place that fits their comfort better.
km7
hey ms k
how's nova scotia. I heard you called but it was after we left. Anyway well see you soon.
Jbr-4
I think that Cook's Lake would be better because there are more trees and places for little animals to hide. I also think that small animals probably don't want to live close to a lot of human surroundings. i think that it could be because of the climate because some animals might be nocturnal and it could get colder at night and if it is more humid it might be more comfortable for them or the opposite. i think it is important to catch small animals because you can see how they are doing because they could be hurt very easily. i think the small animals feel more compfortable in a area that is small. That is really cool that you found a rock lemming!!!
kt period 3
I think it is really cool that you found a rock lemming. I think that the locations you were at were the same for only a few reasons. The obvious one being that they are both in Nova Scotia. Also because you found similar animals in both places. However at Cook's Lake they were more abundant. I think the change in climate has affected the amount of food the animals can find. We all miss you a bunch and are really excited to see you.
JA Period 5
Hi! Something that makes a good habitat in the wild are the trees and other animals for food. Trees can also be used for shelter for some animals.
Hi I thought the beaver poo was really strange and how much the poo looked like nuts! Since seeing so much of it, like you said i bet the home of soem beavers is there.
hi that picture the tree that is on top of the rock how did it get that way?
nm5
Ms.Krekeler,
I wanted to know what rock lemming is.
Btw (by the way) the picture of that vole is so cute!
CL Periode.1
heeyy mrs.krekeler!! :D
im soooo happy that you are coming back to Houston, Texas!! but you might feel really warm because i know that canada is cold
and about your question...
1)habitats you investegated were mainly habitats with large trees (maybe small ones), usually grass (i believe), and many gigantic bolders
2)a good habitat for a small animal is a place where the animal can be able to hide and rest. a place without vegitaion and no trees will be bad for the animal
3)maybe the reason why your not catching the small animals you wanted is because the other large animals are eating them, or that they are located somewhere else bacouse they are samrt and they know that you're there
4)im not exacly sure if it is the climate change because then probably ALL of the animals would have been gone/left somewhere that fits their interest
im happy that you got a chance to go to canada!! and im even happier that you're coming back!!!! :D
-- M.s.C 4th!!
Port Medew doesn't seem to be a good place to catch animals and meither does Cook's Lake I think that is because it is to could and they are staying in their homes so they wil be warmer. The reason you cught some was because they came out to scavenger for food.
The habitat you say they live in is cold, damp, surronded by trees that ssem to be kept untouched most of the time since not a lot of people live in that area, and it is a big, open playground for the animals with all thoose acres.
I think this is all because the weather is so cold they don't want to leave their homes.
SP5
Hello Mrs. Krekeler,
I hope you have had a good time in Nova Scotia. A small mammal would need the basics of any other animal, i.e., water, shelter, food, ect.,ect. Why do you think the beaver had several different spots it pooed?
LP 4
Hey Mrs. Krekeler
1. You surveyed animals near holes, trees, and logs.
2. i think that a good habitat would be near a small drink hole and under a rock.
3. I think you aren't catching any because of climate, weather, and positioning.
4.Yes because the animals like not too cold weather so they are moving into their homes to get warm.
RR Period 2
what is a vole i wonder why you guys can oly trap small animals
M.n period2
MP 1st period
I are you sad to leave canada?
Because we really miss you also that little critter is so cute it must have been fun to catch one last animal before you left.
the survival course seems fun! the rock lab was so much fun! i wish you were there when it happend! i hope you have fun the rest of the time in nova scotia! bye!
ps 5
Hi,
I think that the difference in habitat is that there are people that are surronding East Port Midway and Cook's Lake is quieter.
A good habitat for small mammals are places where they have enough to eat, but they won't got caugt by larger mammals.
I think that you aren't trapping the mammals that you wanted to see because they might not like the food you put in it so it doesn't want to go there.
I think the weather causes it because they might not want to come out when it's hot, rainy, or dry.
I so glad that you found a rock lemming!! I think the sites are different because cooks lake is very remote and probably has more wildlife. Cant wait to see you again, RAH 5
I think the habitats you surveyed were made from holes in the bottom of trees, under the ground, or maybe even under twigs stcks and etc. A good habitat for animals I think is an area away from carnivores and the habitats that I was talking aboiut like holes because the other animals could not find them there. You are not catching the small mammals you wanted because they either were migrating or there are no greens right now so they did not come out to try and get the food. I think that if it is because of migration then it is because or climate change because they are moving to a different climate.
I'm so excited about seeing you soon! I hope your survival test goes well and you learn alot from it just in case we get starnded at MMS, ha ha!
MM Period 1
I cant wait to see a picture of a rock lemming!
1.the habbitat looks like it is manly made out of leaves, twigs, and a hole in the ground.
2.I think a good habbitat should be warm and hiden from animals that might dig voles... out of the ground.
3.i think that you didnt catch the animals you thaught you would becaus tou are in a more civilized place or more populated
4. I think it might be the weather because sort of like us, we dont want to anything but get cozy on bad rainy days.
1) Thick forest, cold, thaick tall grass.
2)Tall grass, large trees.
3) Because they might not be easy to find, trap, weigh, or realse.
4)Yes because frezzing temperatures can kill plant life.
ADW 4
I think that Cook's lake will be better because it is more remote. I think a good habitat for small mammals consits of lots of plants and grass. Also lots of hiding places since they are small! I think that some of the resons that there are different amounts of animals in different places is because there might be larger animals that eat the small animals.
FT Period:5
i think its soo cool that you cought a cute little mouse!
xoxo
mw5
1. Small to large holes in grounds by trees, there were also little homes which were like caves next under trees.
2. Lots of places to explore and warmth and comfort always.
3. Maybe the little mammals weren't ready for the weather they were in having by their homes
4. Yes, very cold weather could have the animals still hibernating
Can't wait to see you Monday!
JL Period 1
I think a good habitat for a small mammal would be a place with seeds and hiding spots.
ad5
hi mrs.krekler is the person in the top pictuer holding a mouse or a vole?
sb period 5
hi mrs.krekler that beaver poo video was very funny.
sb period 5
Hey i bet you were gald of the rock lemming you caught. Ive never even heard of it but it looks cool. Good luck with the rest of your discoveries.
GC,4
hi mrs.krekler
it's so cool how you found a rock lemming. i hope you take a video or a pic of it. i think that the 2
locations are really different because one is very remote and probably has more wildlife and the one that isn't very remote won't have that many wildlife
js period 1 :)
yHey ms krekeler
East Port Medway is rainy and col. It is not in a city but there are houses on big lots around but not where you were working. Cook's Lake was more remote, mainly in forest area.
2. A good habitat for small animals would be anywhere it is forested, near water, with areas where they can burrow and find vegetation to eat.
3. Maybe you are not in the best place to catch them or there are low numbers of them or they are still hibernating.
4. It may be you didn't find many because of climate change. They may not have as many babies, more might die or they may have trouble finding food and so might have moved or died.
Ms. Krekeler
The habitats you surveyed were mostly remote and forested. Some had houses around. I think a good habitat for small animals would be away from people and with areas for burrowing and food. I think you aren't trapping animals there because there aren't too many around. it might be climate change because there could be less food or water or babies might die more often because it is the wrong temperature.
NF Period 4
Ms. Krekeler
The habitats you surveyed were mostly remote and forested. Some had houses around. I think a good habitat for small animals would be away from people and with areas for burrowing and food. I think you aren't trapping animals there because there aren't too many around. it might be climate change because there could be less food or water or babies might die more often because it is the wrong temperature.
NF Period 4
what is the average size of a vole? and what is the difrence between a vole and a mouse?
PJ5
Hi Mrs.Krekeler
I think you caught more animals on cook's lakes than port medway, maybe its because of the climate or there are more (comfy) place for them to live.
SH p.2
1) HABITATS:
East Port Medway habitat: trees close together, bolders, grassland, a few houses(10), ocean, beach, pond.
Cook's Lake habitat: lake area, more remote country location, fire creeks.
2) GOOD HABITAT FOR SMALL MAMMALS:
Soil easy to make holes in for burrows.
Lots of plants and seeds of the kind they like to eat.
Fresh water for drinking.
Hiding places to get away from predators.
3) WHY NO SMALL ANIMALS IN THE TRAPS?
Because there are more bolders in East Port Medway maybe the soil is not good for making holes for burrows.
4) IS THIS BECAUSE OF CLIMATE CHANGE?
I think it is because the habitats are different. One is farther from humans. And it had different soil that was easier to make their burrows.
msc_4th
Can you take a video of the rock lemming on your website? I would love to see it!!!!
1. the habitats you surveyed were full with small, stickery trees and a ton of leaves everywhere, they were also really cold.
2. I think the best habitat for a small mammal to live safely is a very thick wood or a place with a lot of leaves and rocks, logs and trees to hide in.
3. I think the animals you expected to see were either small or endangered and died or they are too smart to fall for the traps.
MJ5
4. Some could be caused by the climate change and
they went into hiding or they left the area. Also they
could have died from starvation because of the climate change or they could have frozen to death.
hello mrs krekler i just read your blog and cooks island is different because it dosent have houses like where you are now. small animals like a place where it is small and cant get eaten by any large mammals! cant wait to see you!
am4
Hi Mrs. Krekeler,
I think that East Port Medway was very different from Cook's Lake. EPM is more suburban and therefore makes it more probable for not as many animals to live there. Cook's Lake is more country-like and makes good places for small animals to hide from predators in rocks and trees since at Cook's Lake there are many natural foliage. Some of the places you set traps and surveyed were perfect hiding and nesting places for small mammals. I think you are not trapping some of the other animals you expected to see/catch because maybe some of them are still hibernating since you said it was still very cold. If you went back to Nova Scotia a month later maybe you would see more of the ones you thought you'd see.
EC- Period 4
hey mrs krekler the viedio craked me up that's cool that you caught a lemming rock
mk 2
i am so happy so happy you found a rock lemming. that must have been really exciting! well i cant wait to see you!!!
i.t. 4 period
Beaver poop looks weird.. must have been a blast examining it, but seems like a pretty nasty job. The two sites are different because cooks lake has more animals.
gm3
I so happy for you that you found a rock lemmening. I think that there are less houses in cook's lane and they like it because it is more of a remote place. Maybe a good habitat would be in a log or a hole in a tree maybe even a small nest. Either because the voles got in first, or the animals know well enough ot to get in. No I think it wouldn't be because of climate change. The only different thing happening is hibernation.
LS
Period1
Thats so cool mrs. kreckler that must been so fun traping animals espically two voles.
SB 5th period
Hey Mrs.Krekeler!
I think that Cooks lake is more remote and has more animals because of that.
SB period 2
I think Cook's Lake is maybe a better environment than East Port Medway and that's why you aren't trapping as many small mammals as you thought you would. The environment is very cold, it has a lot of trees and grassy areas. I think good habitats for small animals are those that they can get used to climate changes and its surroundings also have to be very useful. I think you aren't trapping as many mammals as you thought you would because of climate changes or less vegetation. Yes, I think the climate is affecting the mammals because they dont go out as much do to changes in the environment.
MS Period 1
Hi
Cook's lake is better because it's more remote. The habitat that you investigated sounds good. A good habitat for small mammals would be an area with lots of trees and vegetation for hiding. I think you're not trapping small animals because you might not like what you see if something bad happens. I think that some of this maybe from a climate change like if there is less vegatation in an area that animals are looking for more food resources.
sorry that was mine
GB1
Hi,
the difference between cooks lake and your present location are that cooks lake is more remote than your present location, so there may be more wildlife
a good habitat for a small mammal is a remote place that is for away from humans
the animals you were hoping to see may be in hiding and are reluctant to go into your traps for fear of being captured
this may be because of the climate change because they may just be so cold that they want to stay in their burrows
A.W.5
1. Ground of cook`s lake is usually covered in ice or snow and that reduces the food sources and hiding places for the mammals. East por medway has many trees and many boulders.
2. I think that good habitat for small mammals rich food, good weather and small number of larger animals.
3. I think that there are many voles than other small animals.
4. I think that it is not related climate change.
Period1 TSP
1. Ground of cook`s lake is usually covered in ice or snow and that reduces the food sources and hiding places for the mammals. East por medway has many trees and many boulders.
2. I think that good habitat for small mammals rich food, good weather and small number of larger animals.
3. I think that there are many voles than other small animals.
4. I think that it is not related climate change.
Period1 TSP
Hi mrs krekler i hope that you have fun tommorow it sounds fun well i got to go bye
km 4period
Hey Mrs.Krekeler,
I think that Cooks lake would have more animals because there is a lake in the area and it is more remote than your present location. I think you are catching alot of small animals becuase the big animals dont fit in the cages and they might eat the smaller animals and it might be easier for them to find/catch food.
That is cool how you found a flemming rock! Have you found anything poisinous or dangerous yet?
I think a good habitat is an area where no one is and alot of grass open land area.3. because some could be hibernating or there scared.4.yes because it's very cold and the animals want to stay warm.
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