Branded Wolly Bear

Banded Wolly Bear

 

 

common name: Banded Wolly Bear

 

Scientific name: Pyrrharctia isabella 

 

Biology & Ecology: The Banded Wolly Bear, or Pyrrharctia isabella, is a moth. This moth has two life stages, a larva and a moth which is named the Isabella tiger moth. This species starts off as an egg, then emerges during the fall/  beginning of winter as a caterpillar. Then it freezes solid!! Its heart stops beating, and then its gut, and its blood. It can survive by using a cryoprotectant. This a subtance that the animal uses to protect biological tissue from freezing. Then it thaws out in the spring time to pupate. Once the moth comes from its pupa as a moth, it dies in a few days. In the artic, where the summer food is shortened, the caterpillar feeds for many summers, freezing itself every winter.  Some can live up to 14 winters.

Location: On the foundation of my house, then we put it on our rockwall.
Time: 1:20 pm
What was it doing: Crawling around, then curled up in a ball when it put it on the rock wall.



 

crawling on the foundation.

 

It curled up in a ball when we moved it, probally as a defense move.

While i was taking pictures, it oozed this yellow stuff. So either it
went to bathroom or something else happened, but i dont know

Eastern Cottontail Rabbit

                     
                                               Eastern Cottontail Rabbit



- common name: Eastern Cottontail Rabbit

- scientific name:  Sylvilagus floridanus


Biology & Ecology- The eastern cottontail rabbit, or Syvilagus floridanus is one of the most common species of the cottontail rabbit.  The eastern cottontail rabbit is around 15.5 - 18.75 inches and weighs 28 - 58 oz. Their average life span is about/less than 3 years. The color of their coat can be brown or gray, and get their name from their "cottonball" tail. The eastern cottontail rabbit a herbivore. In the winter time, they eat tree bark and twigs.  Females will give birth to their youngs in shallow ground nests. Rabbits will produce and breed up to three or eight times a year.  Eastern Cottontails are also very popular game animals.They live mostly in North America. Their habitat includes meadows, fields, farms, woods, and can adapt to human environments. They stay hidden in thick vegatation and schubery during the day. They hide under small pine trees, schrubs, and tall grasses.
Location- Front yard.
Time- 1:30 pm.
What was it doing- Eating grass.

Eastern Cottontail

 

Eastern Cottontail