6/13/13 Class recap

ENWYC started with a missing creature and ended with a bang.

We started with a find the creature in a bucket full of sand, water, and seaweed.  This proved impossible with the theory being that the cat ate "my show and tell".  Next, a bug turned up missing.  This one must have slipped out of the container on the walk to the classroom. 

Even though things started out slowly.  The excitement built.  Al brought in some finds of his own a trans-section of a periwinkle shell, a giant heart cockle shell, a paper wasp nest, and more. 

Fowler's Toad
Photo by Lynne Clark

We also had a visit from a Fowler's Toad.  This toad excretes bufonin, which is a viscous white substance that is toxic.  It is very important to wash one's hands after handling this toad.  It can cause irritation especially to the eyes and mouth.  When a predator trys to eat a Fowler's Toad, the toad releases the bufonin.  This makes the predator throw up the toad. 

During class, some of the toad's skin was shed.  This is a normal process. 

Toads and frogs have a specialized tongue to catch their prey.  Al gently used a probe to open up the toad's mouth and uncurl the tongue.  Below are some photos of this.



Uncurling the Tongue
Photo by Lynne Clark

 

Someone else brought in a rabbit skull.  More on this in tomorrow's post. 

 

As we were putting up the microscopes and cleaning the room, a thunderstorm rolled in and the weather siren went off.  We waited out the rain, thunder, and lightning in the hall before heading home.