Welcome to my photoblog on:
Howell Woods Environmental Learning Center
My name is James and I am a Biology Major at Campbell University
in Buies Creek, North Carolina.
in Buies Creek, North Carolina.
I love the outdoors and I am hoping to go on to pursue a career in environmental science. I am looking forward to this next chapter in my life as a college student. So far, I really enjoy college. Thank you to Howell Woods and to everybody who helped me get this far!!
Link to the facebook fanpage:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Photoblog-By-James-Howell-Woods/233829593470397
"Have a great day, spend it outdoors!"
James________________
To learn more about Howell Woods, please see my previous posts for info, photos, and videos. If you've never been to Howell Woods I hope this blog will peak your interest enough that you will visit. It is a treasure located in Johnston County and one of my favorite places.
To visit the Howell Woods website, click on the link below of contact Director, Jordan Astoske.
http://www.johnstoncc.edu/howellwoods/
Jordan Astoske
Director of Howell Woods
jtastoske@johnstoncc.edu
(919) 938-0115 ext. 221
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September 2015
For the month of September, and the approach of the Autumn season, I would like to go over the behaviors animals display in response to this seasonal transition.
"As it turns out, food is the single most important reason that animals migrate. Animals also migrate to avoid extreme heat or cold. Such extreme climates often also impact the availability of food. Animals leaving these harsh environments can avoid the heat or cold and find the food they need." http://idahoptv.org/sciencetrek/topics/animal_migration/facts.cfm
When temperatures become too low to sustain a food source, a species will move into an area where its food grows. The predators that prey on that species, in turn, will also relocate to follow their food.
Many of the animals native to this area can also be observed migrating. Several species we look out of our windows to see will go south for the winter, and when winter arrives, other species can be noticed in the place of the ones that relocated.
I hope one day to be one of those incredibly lucky few who get the chance to witness large migrations such as the ones pictured.
Many organisms also hibernate, or become dormant, as the winter season progresses.
Hibernation is an adaptation that helps many animals conserve energy by remaining inactive, greatly slowing their metabolism and reducing their body temperature for days, weeks or even months at a time. Typically, animals hibernate in order to survive long periods when food is scarce.
A question commonly asked is "Do snakes hibernate?"
The answer is that snakes do not actually hibernate, but rather they become less active during cold weather. It is called brumation, rather than hibernation. Rattlesnakes, in particular, are known to move around during extended warm periods of the winter months.
m.chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/15/pav_555814.shtml
Not many people are aware that several reptiles brumate rather than hibernate in the winter.
A lot more information on reptilian brumation can be found at:
http://www.lllreptile.com/info/library/care-and-husbandry-articles/-/reptilian-brumation/
