Pixel Puzzler #24: Part 1
Let’s put your identification skills to the test! Can you figure out what is hidden in this picture? Make your guess in the comments.
Check back next week for the answer!
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Saving jungles for jaguars!
Here at Earth Rangers, we think jaguars are pretty cool cats! But besides cool, they’re also big cats – in fact, they’re the only member of the group of “big cats” (which includes lions, tigers, leopards, cheetahs, and cougars) that are found in the Americas. Lucky us! They make their homes in the dense forests of the Southwestern United States, through central America, and all the way down to Argentina. In Costa Rica, the Osa Peninsula is an extra special spot: besides being home to jaguars, it’s also home to about 2.5% of the world’s biodiversity – pretty incredible considering it covers less than 0.05% of its surface area!
Most of the jaguars you see in the wild are spotted, but about 10% of these fierce felines have a coat that looks all black instead. They’re sometimes mistakenly referred to as “black panthers”, but if you look up close, you can see they are still in fact spotted – just a whole lot darker than their lighter-colored counterparts!
Jaguars are called “apex predators”, which means they’re found at the top of the food chain. They have no natural predators, but that doesn’t mean the living’s always easy! Sadly, in the Osa Peninsula, the loss of old growth forests and the threat of hunting are putting jaguars at risk. That’s where you come in!
We’re working with the International Conservation Fund of Canada (ICFC) and Osa Conservation to protect the important Osa Peninsula and its incredible biodiversity. Threats like the destruction of old growth forests and illegal hunting are a challenge, but we can help! Our partners are working with local communities to monitor camera traps for signs of poaching and to restore corridors that help connect the fragmented landscape, but they can’t do it alone.
Head to the Adoptions Section in the Earth Rangers App or visit the Earth Rangers Shop to get your Adoption Kit and help make a difference today!
Egg-celent Mouse
Egg-celent Mouse
Time:20 min
Difficulty:Easy
Here is a mice treat for you! This little critter makes for an egg-ceptional snack!
- Hard boiled eggs
- Sunflower seeds
- Cucumber or carrot
- Long dried pasta (like spaghetti or linguine)
- Help from an adult
Here’s how you make it:
Step 1: Remove the shell from your hard-boiled egg if you haven’t already (make sure it’s cooled down first). You’ll want to peel it carefully, making sure not to damage the egg inside. You can use a spoon if you need help.
Step 2: Cut a few thin slices from your carrot/cucumber, then cut them in half so they are half circles.
Step 3: Give your mouse some ears! Cut thin slits into the top of your egg. Take your carrot/cucumber slices and slide them in.
Step 4: Use three sunflower seeds to give your mouse a face! Push one into the tip of your egg for the nose and the other two above for the eyes.
Step 5: Break your pasta up and push them into the egg to give your mouse whiskers and a tail!
Give them a small pile of cheese and you’ve got an egg-stra special plate!
Super Ranger Super Sisters
What does it mean to be an Earth Ranger? Audrey (10) and Addison (9) know! They are two sisters who really put the Super in Super Rangers! Let’s take a look at their story.
Audrey and Addison have been living the Earth-loving life for as long as they can remember. Their main target: litter! If they see some on a hike with their Dad, they pick it up and make sure it goes in the right bin. But being a Super Ranger is a full-time gig! That’s why they pick up litter wherever they find it. They even volunteered to pick up litter at school!
When they heard about Earth Rangers, they knew it was just the place for them! In fact, they like being Earth Rangers so much, they’re getting their friends to join too! Now, that’s what we like to hear, Audrey and Addison!
These sisters LOVE the Earth Rangers App. They really like the proud feeling they get whenever they complete a Mission. Their favourite has to be More Plastic More Problems. It helped them learn how much waste is created. They’ve now kicked single-use plastic water bottles out of their lives! Hi-ya!
They also love how the app gets them outside with their family! As Earth Rangers, we know that when it comes to the outdoors, the more the merrier! Planet protection is a team sport. Amazing work, girls!
Why are Leopards Spotted?
Why are leopards spotted but tigers striped?
Researching 35 species of wild cats with different fur designs, it was found that dense habitats in the trees tend to be home to patterned wild cats. These species are also more likely to be active in the dark. So what does this all mean? The detailed patterns on these wild cats have evolved to help them camouflage in the spaces where they live!
The Quest for the Best: A New Quest
Emma is finally back at Earth Ranger’s headquarters! After her long journey to find Adelia, she definitely deserves a good rest – but wait: it seems like our hero is in trouble and desperately needs help. What’s going on at Earth Rangers HQ? Let’s tune in and find out.
Oh, thank goodness you’re here! You probably already heard, but I’m in trouble… It’s me by the way, Earth Ranger Emma! Can you believe this? What did I get myself into? How can my job be at stake? It looks like putting my Adelia adventure ahead of my work at Earth Rangers probably wasn’t the best idea. I mean, it can’t end here. I’ve raced across the world, become a Serpent, and showed everyone how important it is to be an Earth Ranger. But now they want me to do a desk job…yuck!
But there’s no Earth Rangers Podcast without Earth Ranger Emma, right? A podcast hosted by Earth Ranger Ryan won’t nearly be as good…right…right? And who is this Ryan guy anyway?!
Who is Ryan?
Great question! Well, he says he studied “media science and zoology at the University of British Columbia”, or something like that, and somehow he wormed his way into Number 1’s good graces.
But most of all, he’s trouble! If he beats me in this quest for the best he’s going to take everything away from me. And that is NOT ok!
What Quest?
Well thankfully, Number 1 gave me a chance to prove myself. Ryan and I will be racing across the U.S. and trying to collect animal facts. Whoever has the best ones will win that quest.
Winning the most quests is the only way for me to keep my job. There’s only going to be 5 legs on this race — so every stop counts! But I have one advantage that Ryan doesn’t. I have YOU!
How can you help?
I’ll be checking in at each stop along the way and I’m going to really need your help! It’s up to you to send cool ideas for places to go and animal facts to collect. Leave your suggestions in the comments and I’ll read each and every one of them!
You’ll also hear from my friend Nat, who is going to provide real-time updates from the Earth Rangers Centre while I’m on the road. Plus: she can give you guys an update on what Ryan’s been up to.
Thank you so much for your help! I mean it! You’re going to really make a big difference.
Hi everyone, this is Nat! I’m here to keep you updated on both Emma’s and Ryan’s progress during the Race. And I’ll share any behind-the-scenes updates I can find out about.
Today’s news is: We have Emma and Ryan’s first stop!
Their first destination is a place called “The Big Apple”.
Can you guess where that is? Let us know in the comments! I also heard a rumor that the race will start in just a few days.
Do you think Emma can win? Let’s start by wishing her good luck on her journey!
Would you Rather #38
Would you rather…
Show off your colors like a peacock or camouflage like a chameleon?
Tell us which one you pick in the comments!
More “Would You Rather” Questions!
Pixel Puzzler #23: The Great Reveal
We’ve gotten tons of great guesses on Part 1 of this Pixel Puzzler and now it’s time for the answer. Are you ready for the great reveal? Find out if you got it right!
The answer to this Pixel Puzzler is (drum roll please) a hummingbird! How did you do? Tell us in the comments!
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Friendly Fox Origami
Friendly Fox Origami
Time:10 min
Difficulty:Medium
You don’t need to think outside the fox for this one! Just grab some paper and go fur it! Before you know it, you’ll have this friendly fox friend to keep you company!
Here’s what you need:
- A square piece of paper
Tip: Upcycle an old piece of paper or newspaper instead of using something new - A marker to make the eyes
- A flat surface
- An adult to help
Here’s how you make it:
Step 1: Turn your paper so it’s a diamond. Fold it in half by bringing the top corner to the bottom corner, and then unfold it. Next, fold it in half again by bringing the left corner to the right. This time, keep it folded so you end up with a triangle pointing right.
Step 2: Fold the top and bottom corners toward the right tip. Your paper should look like a small diamond.
Step 3: Bend the top corner back towards the bottom corner. Your paper should look like a triangle.
Step 4: On the right side of your triangle, you should have three layers of paper. Fold the top layer towards the center of your triangle, leaving the other two layers where they are.
Step 5: Next, pull the second layer apart and push the tip downward. This should make a diamond and will be your fox’s head.
Step 6: Fold a small bit of the left corner inwards to make your fox’s tail.
Step 7: Sit your fox up and give it a face!
