Nesting season is not for amateurs. And there is a reason the ladybirds today are so choosy. After all, it only takes a second to make an egg, but it takes weeks to guard all that round white cuteness. And it takes even more weeks to feed those precious soft downy mouths….teach them to preen….toContinueContinue reading “Day 340: The Best Nest Defense”
Author Archives: Shannon Cutts
Day 339: Box Turtle Blends In
There are lots of evolutionary advantages to being colorful. For example, having different colors on different body parts helps you artfully camouflage yourself in different environments. Of course, there is also an art to showing the right part with the right color combination in the right place. Let’s say you are in a grassland area.ContinueContinue reading “Day 339: Box Turtle Blends In”
Day 338: A Tortoise and Her Grandpa
In a busy interspecies flock, you’ve got to be a quick study to figure out how to be first in line for treats, pats and cuddles. In other words, there are lots of (very cute) wide open mouths to feed…and every lap has a reservation list a mile long. One great way to shoulder yourContinueContinue reading “Day 338: A Tortoise and Her Grandpa”
Day 337: A Nesting Bird Never Rests
Nesting season is rigorous without a doubt. Depending on your species, you may be required to break out the song and dance (literally) to win your lady’s heart. Alternately, you may be tasked with presenting one (or several) suitable potential nesting sites for the ladybirds to evaluate at their leisure. Since the ladies may changeContinueContinue reading “Day 337: A Nesting Bird Never Rests”
Day 336: Box Turtle Gets a Lift
Being a box turtle means you can carry your home with you wherever you decide to go. But it isn’t just any home you are carrying. Your home is extra-secure. Once you decide to head indoors, you can use your super-strong shell muscles to close up tight on both sides – so tight that predatorsContinueContinue reading “Day 336: Box Turtle Gets a Lift”
Day 335: Tortoise Begs for Treats
It can pay to be slow and low to the ground when you live in an interspecies flock. From this unique vantage point, you can quickly learn who is in charge of what and how to work them for all they are worth. For example, it doesn’t take long to learn that your large shell-lessContinueContinue reading “Day 335: Tortoise Begs for Treats”
Day 334: A Big and Fluffy Bird
There is no doubt being a big bird can be a survival-of-the-fittest advantage. The ladybirds take one look at you and think “well fed!” The predators take one look at you and think “fierce and ferocious!” Being very fluffy can also have its evolutionary advantages. For ladybirds, fluffiness equals cuteness. And cuteness equals adorable eggsContinueContinue reading “Day 334: A Big and Fluffy Bird”
Day 333: Box Turtle Hibernation Habits
In a box turtle’s world, there are no advantages that come from being born little and cute. It is basically the difference between being appetizer-sized and entree-sized. Otherwise, your responsibilities remain the same right from day one. Foraging? Your job. Finding a mate? Your job. Evading predators? Your job. Hibernating? Yup, you guessed it….your job.ContinueContinue reading “Day 333: Box Turtle Hibernation Habits”
Day 332: Redfoot Resting Face
When you are born with a shell on your back, you can look forward to a lot of resting. A LOT of resting. After all, there is no need to work out or exercise – you do that every time you get up! And lugging around that heavy shell while foraging guarantees “calories in, caloriesContinueContinue reading “Day 332: Redfoot Resting Face”
Day 331: A Very Happy New Year Bird
The start of a fresh new set of 365 days is always cause to celebrate. Heck, even beings who can’t grow their own feathers tend to get very happy on such an occasion. If you are lucky enough to be a being who can grow your own feathers, the start of a new year meansContinueContinue reading “Day 331: A Very Happy New Year Bird”
Love & Feathers & Shells 