NC AnimalsNC AnimalsBy Mrs. Hart’s 4By Mrs. Hart’s 4thth Grade Grade

February, 2008February, 2008

AMERICAN TOADSAMERICAN TOADSAmerican toads like to live in American toads like to live in moist, dark areas. Some toads moist, dark areas. Some toads look like a rock, or a clump of look like a rock, or a clump of rocks with legs.rocks with legs.Some toads are big, while others Some toads are big, while others arearesmall. Unlike frogs, toads have small. Unlike frogs, toads have special glands on either side of special glands on either side of their head. This gland is used their head. This gland is used when the toad feels threatened, when the toad feels threatened, or when it’s attacked. If so, these or when it’s attacked. If so, these glands squirt poison into the glands squirt poison into the preditors mouth, causing the preditors mouth, causing the toad’s attacker to drop the toad toad’s attacker to drop the toad on the ground. The toad also has on the ground. The toad also has other ways to escape it’s other ways to escape it’s enemie’s grasp. enemie’s grasp.

► Works CitedWorks Cited►

Harman, Amanda. Harman, Amanda. ToadsToads. Connecticut, C.t.: . Connecticut, C.t.: Sherman Turnpike, 2001. Sherman Turnpike, 2001.

Big Brown BatsBig Brown Bats by Madison S.by Madison S.

The big brown bat is a The big brown bat is a

mammal .It eats most insects like moths, mammal .It eats most insects like moths, flies, mosquitoes, beetles, and flies, mosquitoes, beetles, and dragonflies. Bats can live in caves or dragonflies. Bats can live in caves or hollow trees. The big brown bat has a hollow trees. The big brown bat has a beautiful soft coat. Some of the bats beautiful soft coat. Some of the bats enemies are hawks falcons and some enemies are hawks falcons and some times owls. Bats migrate 800 miles to the times owls. Bats migrate 800 miles to the warm. Bats are mostly born in the fall. warm. Bats are mostly born in the fall. They’re full grown on the 10 day. Batsare They’re full grown on the 10 day. Batsare the second biggest mammal. They are the second biggest mammal. They are very good flyers and are very strong.very good flyers and are very strong.

► Works CitedWorks Cited►

Ivy, Bill. Ivy, Bill. Nature's Children BatsNature's Children Bats. Danbury, Con: . Danbury, Con: Grolier, 1986.Grolier, 1986.

Black Bears Black Bears by: Michael T.by: Michael T.

The Black bears diet is mostly berries and some fish. The Black bears diet is mostly berries and some fish. The Black bear has up to three babies at a time. They The Black bear has up to three babies at a time. They eat sap from maple trees.They are the greatest fishers eat sap from maple trees.They are the greatest fishers on the planet .When they hibernate they live on body on the planet .When they hibernate they live on body fat .Their hearing is way better than ours. They fat .Their hearing is way better than ours. They hibernate in winter to keep warm. They weigh up to hibernate in winter to keep warm. They weigh up to 300 lb. 300 lb.

► Works CitedWorks Cited►

Feeney, Kathy. Feeney, Kathy. Black BearsBlack Bears. Chanhassen, MN: North . Chanhassen, MN: North Wood Press, 2000. Wood Press, 2000.

Black VulturesBlack VulturesBy LASIA V.By LASIA V.

Black Vultures eat dead cow, Black Vultures eat dead cow, dead fish, dead turtles. Its enemies are dead fish, dead turtles. Its enemies are cars, airplanes, buildings, phone wires, cars, airplanes, buildings, phone wires, people. It habitat is North America . It people. It habitat is North America . It lays eggs on tree stumps or ground. It lays eggs on tree stumps or ground. It doesn’t build nests. It has no feathers doesn’t build nests. It has no feathers on its head. Its wingspan is about 5 on its head. Its wingspan is about 5 feet.feet.

Works CitedWorks Cited

Wechsler, Doug. Wechsler, Doug. VulturesVultures. New York, NY: Power . New York, NY: Power Kids Press, 2001. Kids Press, 2001.

www.go.grolier.comwww.go.grolier.com

Box TurtleBox Turtleby : Emily G.by : Emily G.

► The box turtle can live up to 100 years. He The box turtle can live up to 100 years. He can grow 6 inches long and has 2 to 7 eggs. The can grow 6 inches long and has 2 to 7 eggs. The box turtle has a brown shell with a rim of yellow box turtle has a brown shell with a rim of yellow and yellow designs in the middle. It can also be and yellow designs in the middle. It can also be all brown. You can find him in the woods near all brown. You can find him in the woods near lakes or bodies of water. The Box turtle is a lakes or bodies of water. The Box turtle is a herbivore [eats no meat]. He eats worms fruits, herbivore [eats no meat]. He eats worms fruits, snails, and berries. The box turtle sleeps in the snails, and berries. The box turtle sleeps in the winter. He digs a hole in the sand, so you winter. He digs a hole in the sand, so you probably won’t see him in the winter. Winter is probably won’t see him in the winter. Winter is the most dangerous for these turtles. A lot die the most dangerous for these turtles. A lot die in the winter. The box turtle is unique in many in the winter. The box turtle is unique in many ways. One reason why its called a box turtle is ways. One reason why its called a box turtle is because when it gets scared, it goes in to its because when it gets scared, it goes in to its shell and closes all openings. So it looks like a shell and closes all openings. So it looks like a box.box.

Works CitedWorks Cited

Switzer, Merebeth. Switzer, Merebeth. Nature's Children,TurtlesNature's Children,Turtles. . Danbury, Con: Grolier, 1986.Danbury, Con: Grolier, 1986.

BobcatBobcatby Brandon I.by Brandon I.

► The bobcat eats rabbits, birds,deer and The bobcat eats rabbits, birds,deer and other rodents. It has excellent eye site and other rodents. It has excellent eye site and hearing. 20 to 30 of their attacks are hearing. 20 to 30 of their attacks are successful. The bobcat fears humans. The successful. The bobcat fears humans. The bobcat sounds like something purring. The bobcat sounds like something purring. The bobcat is striped and has solid white on his bobcat is striped and has solid white on his belly. The bobcat changes colors in the winter belly. The bobcat changes colors in the winter like tawny or a reddish color. You can most like tawny or a reddish color. You can most likely find the bobcat on rocky mountains , likely find the bobcat on rocky mountains , swamps and deserts. swamps and deserts.

►

Works Cited

Swinburne, Stephen R. Bobcat North America's Cat. Honesdale, P.A: Boyds Mills

Press, 2001.

Brown Recluse SpiderBrown Recluse SpiderBy Emily K.By Emily K.

The Brown Recluse Spider is home The Brown Recluse Spider is home to the South central part of the United to the South central part of the United States. They make their homes in quiet States. They make their homes in quiet sheltered places. Their webs are in rocks sheltered places. Their webs are in rocks or or

woodpiles. Indoors they are found in woodpiles. Indoors they are found in basements, storage boxes, under basements, storage boxes, under furniture, in dresser drawers. Brown furniture, in dresser drawers. Brown recluse spiders like peoples homes recluse spiders like peoples homes because they are warm and dry and because they are warm and dry and they like that! These spiders are the they like that! These spiders are the size of a quarter. Brown or tan hairs size of a quarter. Brown or tan hairs cover their body. They have a mark on cover their body. They have a mark on their body that is shaped like a violin. their body that is shaped like a violin. These spiders have six eyes and most These spiders have six eyes and most have eight! Their biggest enemies are have eight! Their biggest enemies are birds, insects, and even other spiders. birds, insects, and even other spiders. But their biggest enemies are humans! But their biggest enemies are humans! They go out at night to catch their prey , They go out at night to catch their prey , not wait for a insect to come in their not wait for a insect to come in their web. A female recluse spider can lay web. A female recluse spider can lay about 40 eggs at a time. Usually they about 40 eggs at a time. Usually they lay in May & August. Then they hatch in lay in May & August. Then they hatch in 3 to 5 weeks.3 to 5 weeks. Works Cited

Ethan, Eric. Brown Recluse Spider. Milwaukee, WI: Gareth Stevens Publishing, 2004.

http://www.nczoo.org

Common Garter SnakeCommon Garter Snakeby Christian R.by Christian R.

The Common Garter Snake The Common Garter Snake can be the length of 18 to 48 inches. can be the length of 18 to 48 inches. Amphibians mice birds insets and worms Amphibians mice birds insets and worms the garter snake can be 3years old to the garter snake can be 3years old to 85years old and its home is the united 85years old and its home is the united states and Canada reptiles the common states and Canada reptiles the common garter snake hangs out with other garter garter snake hangs out with other garter snakessnakes

Flying SquirrelsFlying SquirrelsBy: Makayla S.By: Makayla S.

A flying squirrel’s habitat is woodlands and A flying squirrel’s habitat is woodlands and deciduous forests. The squirrel’s belly is white and deciduous forests. The squirrel’s belly is white and the rest is grey. The tail is flattened. The flying the rest is grey. The tail is flattened. The flying squirrel’s enemies are horned owls, red tailed hawks, squirrel’s enemies are horned owls, red tailed hawks, foxes, cats, weasels, raccoons, and black rat snakes. foxes, cats, weasels, raccoons, and black rat snakes. A flying squirrel eats wild nuts, tree buds, blossoms, A flying squirrel eats wild nuts, tree buds, blossoms, berries, maple sap, mushrooms, and sometimes eats berries, maple sap, mushrooms, and sometimes eats insects, eggs, baby birds, small mice, beechnuts, insects, eggs, baby birds, small mice, beechnuts, hickory nuts and acorns They are unique because hickory nuts and acorns They are unique because they can fly and it’s tail is as long as it’s body. In the they can fly and it’s tail is as long as it’s body. In the winter they don’t hibernate instead they look for winter they don’t hibernate instead they look for food. When it’s cold they snuggle together.food. When it’s cold they snuggle together.

Works CitedWorks Cited►

McDonald, Mary A. McDonald, Mary A. Flying SquirrelsFlying Squirrels. North Carolina, . North Carolina, USA: The child’s world, 1993.USA: The child’s world, 1993.

FrogsFrogs by Trevor D.by Trevor D.

Frogs eat bugs and spiders. Frogs Frogs eat bugs and spiders. Frogs are amphibians and are relatives to are amphibians and are relatives to the toads. Baby frogs are called the toads. Baby frogs are called tadpoles. These amphibians live in tadpoles. These amphibians live in the water most of the times and the water most of the times and rest on lily pads. Frogs are found rest on lily pads. Frogs are found everywhere except the Antarctic. A everywhere except the Antarctic. A frog has long legs, a oversize frog has long legs, a oversize head, a short body and no tail.head, a short body and no tail.

► Works Cited:Works Cited:

► http//go-kids.grolier.com/http//go-kids.grolier.com/

Starosta, Paul. The Starosta, Paul. The FrogFrog. . Watertown,MA:CharlesbridgePublishingWatertown,MA:CharlesbridgePublishing

19911991

Gray Wolf Gray Wolf by Seneca L.by Seneca L.

► The Gray wolf is related to the German The Gray wolf is related to the German shepherds and some other dogs .They eat shepherds and some other dogs .They eat deer, elk, moose, and caribou. They are deer, elk, moose, and caribou. They are endangered. They can be killed by humans endangered. They can be killed by humans and die of starvation .They can be found in and die of starvation .They can be found in North America ,Europe and Asia. The Gray Wolf North America ,Europe and Asia. The Gray Wolf weighs 170 pounds ! They are also the largest weighs 170 pounds ! They are also the largest wolves!wolves!

Works Cited

Harrington, Fred H. The Gray Wolf. New York, NY: PowerKids Press, 2002.

Great Horned owlGreat Horned owlBy: Macy L.By: Macy L.

The great horned owl eats The great horned owl eats mammals ,birds, reptiles and mammals ,birds, reptiles and insects. One of a Great Horned insects. One of a Great Horned owl’s enemies are humans. A owl’s enemies are humans. A great horned owl lays about 2 to 3 great horned owl lays about 2 to 3 eggs. After the baby are born the eggs. After the baby are born the are called owlets. They also have are called owlets. They also have sharply hooked beaks . Also crows sharply hooked beaks . Also crows are their enemies. A great horned are their enemies. A great horned owl can swivel it’s head around to owl can swivel it’s head around to look backward. There habitat is look backward. There habitat is coniferous and deciduous forests. coniferous and deciduous forests. They call (hoot) most frequently in They call (hoot) most frequently in late winter or early spring.late winter or early spring.

Works Cited

Arnosky, Jim. All About Owls. New York, NY: Scholastic, Inc., 1995.

Green FrogGreen FrogBy Mai X.By Mai X.

The Green Frog eats insects. The The Green Frog eats insects. The Frog has different kind of colors like brownish Frog has different kind of colors like brownish or dark green, stripes, bright green, blue, or dark green, stripes, bright green, blue, white, yellow and red. The Green Frogs habitat white, yellow and red. The Green Frogs habitat is wet places and dry lands. The Green Frogs is wet places and dry lands. The Green Frogs life cycle is egg to tadpole then to adult frog. life cycle is egg to tadpole then to adult frog. The frogs unique thing is that you can count The frogs unique thing is that you can count the rang s on there bones. the rang s on there bones.

Works Cited

Maruska, Edward J. Amphibians. 1994.

OpossumOpossumby. Rosio A.by. Rosio A.

The opossum is a kind of animal The opossum is a kind of animal that plays in the woods. It eats fruit, small that plays in the woods. It eats fruit, small insects and vegetables .insects and vegetables .

The owls and foxes are it’s enemies. The The owls and foxes are it’s enemies. The bobcat is a very bad enemy, too. The opossum bobcat is a very bad enemy, too. The opossum can have about ten babies a day. Sometime’s can have about ten babies a day. Sometime’s they look like skunks or cat’s. The opossum they look like skunks or cat’s. The opossum like’s to sleep at morning and wander at night like’s to sleep at morning and wander at night to find food. The opossum lives in southeastern to find food. The opossum lives in southeastern parts of the United States. parts of the United States.

Works Cited

Dingwall, Laima. Opossum. Danbury, D: Connecticut, 1986. www.go.grolier.com

RED TAILED HAWKSRED TAILED HAWKSBy: Lena V.By: Lena V.

Red tailed hawks like to eat Red tailed hawks like to eat mammals, mice, squirrels, pigeons, rats, young mammals, mice, squirrels, pigeons, rats, young rabbits, snakes, rattle snakes and a lot more. rabbits, snakes, rattle snakes and a lot more. Their habitats are deserts, prairie, woods, city Their habitats are deserts, prairie, woods, city parks, trees, windmills, rocky cliffs. They live parks, trees, windmills, rocky cliffs. They live everywhere. Their enemies are people, everywhere. Their enemies are people, because humans kill them and destroy their because humans kill them and destroy their homes. A mother can lay five eggs at a time. homes. A mother can lay five eggs at a time. They incubate for four or five weeks. They They incubate for four or five weeks. They hatch and get fed until then. After six weeks hatch and get fed until then. After six weeks later, the birds leave the nest. later, the birds leave the nest.

► Works CitedWorks Cited►

Wechsler, Doug. Wechsler, Doug. Red Tailed HawksRed Tailed Hawks. New York, . New York, NY: PowerKids Press, 2000. NY: PowerKids Press, 2000.

Red WolfRed Wolfby Marvin A.by Marvin A.

The red wolf eats moose, elk, The red wolf eats moose, elk, deer, caribou and snakes. If it not deer, caribou and snakes. If it not careful it can be kill by their prey. They careful it can be kill by their prey. They are family with all the dogs . They look are family with all the dogs . They look like foxes, and. German Shepherds. like foxes, and. German Shepherds. Wolves get respect like dogs and cats. Wolves get respect like dogs and cats. They hunt for the winter to take care of They hunt for the winter to take care of their baby or their selves. They live in their baby or their selves. They live in North Carolina and they are North Carolina and they are endangered.endangered.

Works CitedWorks Cited

Harrington, Fred. Harrington, Fred. The Gray WolfThe Gray Wolf. . New York, NY: Powerkids Press, New York, NY: Powerkids Press, 2002. 2002.

River OtterRiver Otterby Rebecca C.by Rebecca C.

River otters are the River otters are the best swimmers. They can best swimmers. They can float on their backs, glide on float on their backs, glide on their bellies or slither like a their bellies or slither like a snake in the water. They snake in the water. They can swim under water for up can swim under water for up to 4 minutes. They dive to 4 minutes. They dive down to find their food. down to find their food. They eat clams, crabs, and They eat clams, crabs, and snails. snails.

SalamandersSalamandersBy Martin F.By Martin F.

► Salamanders are Salamanders are amphibians. Their life cycle goes from egg to amphibians. Their life cycle goes from egg to larvae to adult. They live for 20 years. Spotted larvae to adult. They live for 20 years. Spotted salamanders are black and, of course, have salamanders are black and, of course, have spots. Salamanders dine on slugs, snails, spots. Salamanders dine on slugs, snails, beetles, worms, plants, spiders, and millipedes. beetles, worms, plants, spiders, and millipedes. They are unique because they have no lungs. They are unique because they have no lungs. They breath by absorbing air through their skin. They breath by absorbing air through their skin. Salamanders also need to stay moist, so they Salamanders also need to stay moist, so they use their skin to absorb water out of the air. use their skin to absorb water out of the air. Salamanders hibernate in the winter. They live Salamanders hibernate in the winter. They live in water, holes in rocks, deserted animal in water, holes in rocks, deserted animal burrows, and in rotten logs.burrows, and in rotten logs.

► Works CitedWorks Cited►

Ivy, Bill. Ivy, Bill. Natures Children SalamandersNatures Children Salamanders. Danbury, CN.: . Danbury, CN.: Grolier, 1986. Grolier, 1986.

► Works CitedWorks Cited►

National Geographic.comNational Geographic.com. 27 Jan. 08 . 27 Jan. 08 <http//:nationalgeographic.com/>.<http//:nationalgeographic.com/>.

Screech owlScreech owlby Mary Mitchellby Mary Mitchell

The Screech Owl is a gray owl with The Screech Owl is a gray owl with stripes under it’s wings. The wing span stripes under it’s wings. The wing span is 8.5 inches. They are unique because is 8.5 inches. They are unique because they have excellent eye sight and can they have excellent eye sight and can swivel it’s head around to look swivel it’s head around to look backwards.backwards.

SkunksSkunksby Michael C.by Michael C.

Skunks are unique because when Skunks are unique because when enemy’s come near they spray them with there scent enemy’s come near they spray them with there scent and stand on there front pawls. They spray there and stand on there front pawls. They spray there scent 15 feet away. They eat small animals like bugs, scent 15 feet away. They eat small animals like bugs, mushrooms, mice, berries, nuts, eggs, plants, fallen mushrooms, mice, berries, nuts, eggs, plants, fallen apples, grapes, leaves and tiny voles, earthworms, apples, grapes, leaves and tiny voles, earthworms, salamander and sometimes snakes. There is a v shape salamander and sometimes snakes. There is a v shape on there back and there fur is black and white. They on there back and there fur is black and white. They live in North and South America. Skunks live in the live in North and South America. Skunks live in the wild and grass lands and in burrows. Skunks are quiet wild and grass lands and in burrows. Skunks are quiet and sometimes whistle. Skunks are mammals. and sometimes whistle. Skunks are mammals. Mammals live with their babies. Kits are skunks and Mammals live with their babies. Kits are skunks and sleep together. Animals that stay awake at night are sleep together. Animals that stay awake at night are nocturnal like skunks. Skunks are the size of cats.nocturnal like skunks. Skunks are the size of cats.

n

Works Cited

Souza, D.M.. Skunks do more than stink. Brookfield, Connecticut, BC: Millbrook Press, 2002.

Snapping TurtleSnapping Turtleby Destiny V.by Destiny V.

A snapping turtle stays in A snapping turtle stays in fresh water. The turtle does not stay on fresh water. The turtle does not stay on land so much. It digsland so much. It digs a hole and stays in a hole and stays in the hole and sleeps inthe hole and sleeps in winter. It has a winter. It has a soft and large shell. A turtle can feel the soft and large shell. A turtle can feel the world with it’s feet, it’s tail and it’s world with it’s feet, it’s tail and it’s entire shell. It has a very excellent eye entire shell. It has a very excellent eye sight. It eats jellyfish, birds egg, sight. It eats jellyfish, birds egg, mammals, insects, plants. It has no mammals, insects, plants. It has no teeth and no ears. The egg is a medium teeth and no ears. The egg is a medium size. It may die in winter. The egg can size. It may die in winter. The egg can weight 50 pounds and it is 18 inches weight 50 pounds and it is 18 inches long. It can lay 8 to 80 eggs.long. It can lay 8 to 80 eggs.

Works Cited

Arnosky, Jim. ALL ABOUT TURTLES. New York, NY: Scholastic Press, 200.

www.go.grolier.com

Turkey VultureTurkey Vultureby Andrei D.by Andrei D.

► The turkey vulture eats carrion (dead The turkey vulture eats carrion (dead meat of animals). They live in Canada or meat of animals). They live in Canada or North America. It is a special animal North America. It is a special animal because it doesn't build a nest to lay eggs. because it doesn't build a nest to lay eggs. It lays eggs , usually two on the ground, It lays eggs , usually two on the ground, in the tree holes, between rocks, or in the in the tree holes, between rocks, or in the cavities of cliffs. It enemies are the cavities of cliffs. It enemies are the telephone wires, cars, buildings .His head telephone wires, cars, buildings .His head is small, bald ,and red. He has a round tail. is small, bald ,and red. He has a round tail. It’s the size of a small eagle. It has long, It’s the size of a small eagle. It has long, rather broad wings. Vultures have been rather broad wings. Vultures have been around for more than 35 million years. around for more than 35 million years.

► Works CitedWorks Cited►

Collard lll, Sneed B. Collard lll, Sneed B. Birds of PreyBirds of Prey. New York, NY: . New York, NY: Franklin Watts, 1999. Franklin Watts, 1999.

► www.go.golier.comwww.go.golier.com www.herry.k12.ga.vswww.herry.k12.ga.vs. .

Wild TurkeyWild Turkeyby Sara T.by Sara T.

Wild Turkeys live in forests and Wild Turkeys live in forests and woodlands. Turkeys eat leaves, woodlands. Turkeys eat leaves, seeds, nuts, berries, and some seeds, nuts, berries, and some insects. They have red and blue insects. They have red and blue markings on their head. They also markings on their head. They also have warts, baggy skin and rough have warts, baggy skin and rough skin and feathers on their body. skin and feathers on their body. Their enemies are coyotes, foxes Their enemies are coyotes, foxes and bobcats. The turkey was and bobcats. The turkey was nominated to be the national bird nominated to be the national bird by Benjamin Franklin but it lost by Benjamin Franklin but it lost to the Bald Eagle.to the Bald Eagle.

► Works CitedWorks Cited►

Hoare, Ben. Hoare, Ben. Nature's Children,TurkeyNature's Children,Turkey. Danbury, . Danbury, Conneticut: Grolier Educational, 2001. Conneticut: Grolier Educational, 2001.

Additional ResourcesAdditional Resources

http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/http://www.nczoo.org/http://www.sandiegozoo.org/animalbytes/index.htmlhttp://go.grolier.com/http://kids.yahoo.com/directory/Science-and-Naturehttp://www.askforkids.com/