Blue Tang

We just learned about the Kakapo bird.

We learned before about the clownfish that everyone knows from Finding Nemo, now let's learn about what kind of fish Dory was!

Dory was a Blue Tang fish, also known as a blue surgeonfish.
It's fancy science name is paracanthurus hepatus.

The real blue tang doesn't forget things all the time, but if it is scared it can turn it's skin a little see-through (also known as transparent) to help hide from other fish that want to eat it!

(from: wikipedia - paracanthurus)



Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Kiwi

Clownfish

We just learned a little about Starfish.

Clownfish are little orange and white fish that live in the ocean.
The fancy name for a clownfish is amphiprioninae.

They're very well known from the movie Finding Nemo!

Usually clownfish make their homes right in an anemone's tentacles.
The anemones have poison on their tentacles that they use to sting and kill other fish, but the clownfish don't get hurt!

Clownfish have a slimy coating called mucus that is different from other fish, so the sea anemones don't try and sting them.
Because clownfish have lived in anemones for so long, their bodies can survive after being stung by some of the anemone poision.

The clownfish and anemone have what is called a symbiotic relationship.
That means they are two animals that work together to help each other out.

When clownfish live in the anemone, they are protected from fish that would try to eat them up.
They also sometimes eat some of the food leftover from an anemone's meal.
The clownfish helps keep the anemone clean, and it might sound yucky but the anemone actually eats the pee and poop from the clownfish!


(from: wikipedia - amphiprioninae)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Porcupine

Moray Eel

We just learned about the Electric Eel

Another type of Eel is the Moray Eel.

Moray eels are big long eels that mostly live in cracks of rocks and other small places.
They can not see very well, but they have a strong sense of smell so when a small fish comes by they jump out and bite it!

(from: wikipedia - moray eel)

Moray eels have a second jaw inside their mouth that comes forward, bites down on their prey, then pulls into their mouth.

(from: wikipedia - moray eel)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Beaver Tails

Electric eel

We just learned a little about the Octopus.

There is an animal in the water called the electric eel that can shock you with real electricity!

Their shock is five times stronger than if you got electrocuted from a plug in your house!

(from: wikipedia - eletric eel)

Even though it's called an electric eel, it's really a type of fish called a knifefish and not actually a type of eel.

Electric eels have sodium and potassium chemicals in their body that store up electricity, almost like a battery, or like a static shock before you zap someone.
When they are ready to zap their enemy, they mix up another chemical in their body that causes the electricity to zap whoever is close enough or touching them.


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Cheetah

Northern Pike

We just learned a little about Vultures.

Another fun type of animal is the Northern Pike

This is a type of fish that is found across the northern parts of North America, Europe and Russia.

It is a predatory fish, which means it eats other fish!
Pike are such aggressive hunters that there are laws against letting pike fish get into some waters,
because they might eat up all the small fish.

(from: wikipedia - northern pike)

Shark Teeth

We just learned about Coyote Yips.

Ever wonder why sharks have so many big sharp teeth?

Sharks don't get teeth like humans, they develop row after row of new teeth.

So when the teeth right at the edge of their mouth break off
from chomping on too many tasty fish, a whole new set pushes forward to replace them!

(from: wikipedia - great white shark)