Our research and findings - 1

1. Timidity Trays - this tray was designed by Dr. Chris Newman himself, one of our lead scientist, to test the critters - either a vole, mice, and other small mammals' intelligence level. These small mammals are beginning to resurface from winter and looking for food this time around. Mice will look for insects but voles are herbivores. Any of these smaller mammals that survive through the winter season are considered more "intelligent" because it was able to weather through colder climates, had not depleted all of its food. Mice do not have body fat, but can hear, see very well. Its also quite agile and their tail also serves as a "rudder" which makes them run and escape faster, and also used as a defense mechanism.
The question was whether these mammals in a new trapped maze (environment) will be able to escape , esp. if these are the smarter critters that survived the winter, and how fast will it take for them to go through the maze.
No definite results for this test yet. Will keep you posted.

2. Porcupine - this was the mystery animal that I posted. But, now we have a debate that porcupines do live in California - more research is needed for this on both yours and my part.
Porcupines sleep in the day, its belly does not have quills which makes it the most vulnerable spot in its body. No presence of poison is found in its quills. Its actually hollow! When the quills break, infection builds and finds its way into the porcupine's system. It does use these quills as defense mechanism. Porcupines only have ONE young or baby a year! One predator of the porcupine is a marten called the FISHER, smart and nocturnal, it sleeps on top of trees, and head first down the tree and attacks the porcupine by "pushing it off" the tree as the Porcupine is heading up. Once the porcupine lands on its back on the floor, the fisher jumps on P's belly and the rest is history! Baby porcupines are called - "PORCUPET".

Any I wonder questions - get it ready for me...

Onwards we go - and more research for me!