How much do I love how these came out? VERY MUCH! Just imagine happy children scurry around the beaver festival trading cards with eachother to get a full pack!
File this under the Friday morning, “huh” file.
Komodo Dragons Have Iron-Coated Teeth, Study Finds
Komodo dragons, the largest predatory lizards on Earth, have iron-coated teeth, according to a new study. Researchers also looked at other reptiles and found that tooth enamel containing iron tips may be widespread, they reported last week in the journal Nature Ecology.
But the newly discovered feature was most striking in Komodo dragons—their chompers have an orange, iron-enriched coating on their serrations and tips. The adaptation could help maintain the sharpness of Komodo dragon teeth, which only have a thin layer of enamel.
“If they didn’t have this iron coating, I’m sure the enamel on the cutting edges would wear away very quickly and the tooth would dull,” Aaron LeBlanc, first author of the study and a paleontologist at King’s College London, tells CNN’s Jack Guy. “That’s not very good for an animal that relies on having these razor-blade sharp teeth to slice through meat.”
So evolution-wise who was first do you think? I like the idea of beavers being related to dragons. It just kind of works for me. And remember the bipedal beavers living on the moon who discovered fire in that original fake news story “the great moon hoaxe” of 1835,
Researchers had previously observed iron in the enamel of other animals, including beavers, shrews, some fish and salamanders, but it had never been reported in a carnivorous reptile. Its function in these animals has also remained elusive, but the new findings support the idea that the iron could strengthen their teeth.
Yeah, all the best animals have orange teeth. It’s true.
This looks like fun, Saturday morning in Alberta. I want to go!
Legacy of beavers being explored in next Walk in the Watershed
Throughout the summer, the volunteers of the Ghost Watershed Alliance Society (GWAS) invite people to enjoy the splendor of the watershed and the challenges it faces though its Walks of the Watershed.
On Aug. 10, they’re offering a chance to walk to a landscape beavers helped shape, accompanied by wildlife biologist Holly Kinas, a Conservation Analyst at the Miistakis Institute.
Even the name is cool! Ghost Watershed! Wow. If you don’t want all your watersheds to turn into ghosts you’ll make sure it has beavers!
Participants will be visiting a large beaver complex in the headwaters. Stitched together over time, these old and new dams provide the perfect place for diverse communities of plants, invertebrates, fish, birds and large mammals. Participants will learn about their behaviour, their biology, and their brilliant way of slowing the flow of water.
The walk goes through open meadows, forests and wetlands, all under the shadow of the mountains. Once at the beaver complex, the group will explore the ponds, eat lunch and then return. The round-trip hiking distance is less than four km on relatively flat terrain, however it’s not on groomed trails and good hiking boots or trail runners are required.
The walk takes place from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
While it’s a free event, registration is required. To avoid disappointment, register soon here. Donations are gratefully accepted to support GWAS programs.
The only thing better than hiking to a secret beaver watershed with a group of believers is hiking to a secret beaver watershed alone!
Have fun and make a lot of converts on the way!
I get a selfish and affirming pleasure every summer when I read about this. Of course it is much much much harder to have a beaver festival in Idaho. Martinez is a mere pittance by comparison. But this still makes me annually grin from ear to ear.
Annual Beaver Dam Jam Idaho set Aug. 24 to benefit Watershed Guardians
POCATELLO — The annual Watershed Guardians Beaver Dam Jam Idaho will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. Aug. 24 at Lookout Point, 426 W Lewis St., in Old Town Pocatello. This event helps support beaver conservation.
Billed as “a music event to help keep your watershed vibrant by protecting beaver,” the jam will feature four bands, food, raffles, kids’ activities, demonstrations, vendors and organizations. This year’s theme is “Imagine the Possibilities.”
Just Imagine what Idaho would look like if every ranch and watershed was working to let beavers back. It makes me dizzy just thinking about it. Good theme, Mike.
There is no charge for the event, however, guests have the opportunity to donate and be entered into a raffle for an e-bike, and other items will be raffled.
Major event sponsors include Lookout Credit Union, Sportsman’s Warehouse, The Yellowstone Restaurant (providing food and donating a portion of proceeds to Watershed Guardians) and Elmer’s. A variety of other sponsors have also contributed.
Wonderful. I just love imagining that there is another human being who’s year is similar to mike: viewing every favorite business or new friend as a possible potential source for a new donation to the festival. Solidarity, Mike.
Watershed Guardians benefits the Portneuf Watershed by helping beaver. Proceeds from the events will support BeaverCount, a free winter event to census beaver colonies in the Portneuf watershed.
“Funds raised help us pay for snowshoe and ski rental for our annual BeaverCount,” said Mike Settell, Watershed Guardians director. “ We don’t have a city, agency or corporate entity covering operating expenses. We are a 100% volunteer organization. Your support helps fund projects such as BeaverDeceivers, Pond Levelers and ISU scholarships. Please join us Aug. 24, 5 to 9 p.m. for some good music, fun and raffles.”
More information on the event is also available by contacting Mike Settell at mike@watershedguardians.org.
Good for you Mike, and good for pocatello! I first met Mike when I read about him getting a grant from audubon for his beaver count way back in 2014. He’s been doing this as long as I have and I have to imagine the trickle down effect is glowing strong.
It only takes a spark.
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