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| Posted: Thu Dec 17th, 2009 05:34 pm |
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1st Posts |
ztunlimi
ZTU Webmaster
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December 2009
Dear Zoo Crew Member,
Welcome to the December edition of the Zoo Crew Newsletter! This newsletter will be a monthly installment where we give you guys some info on what we have been working on here at Blue Fang over the course of the past month. Not only will we be providing you with first hand information about our developments but this newsletter will also be a place where you can learn some cool stuff about wild animals and zoos!
In honor of the holiday season and the wintry weather we have been experiencing here in Waltham, MA, this issue will focus on arctic animals and cold climate creatures! Inside you will find an arctic fox fact sheet, a profile of the coldest zoo in the United States, a fun word search, and a printable penguin mask! If you want to learn something new and have some fun along the way then keep reading!
As always you can feel free to contact us and make suggestions for future newsletters! We are always looking for your feedback! Additionally, look for a general gaming survey to go out next week for a chance to win a copy of Blue Fang Games' World of Zoo for PC!
Lastly, if you have not done so already, be sure to check out our Twitter Feed!
Happy Holidays!
Blue Fang Games
Animal of the Month: Arctic Fox
NAMES: Arctic Fox, Snow Fox, or White Fox (Alopex lagopus or Vulpes lagopus)
HABITAT: Arctic Foxes reside in the arctic tundra of the Northern Hemisphere.
DIET: Arctic Foxes are omnivores (they eat plants and animals) but feed mostly on lemmings, hares, eggs, and other available meats.
APPEARANCE: In the winter arctic foxes are as white as the snowy lands where they reside. This provides them with excellent camouflage from predators and allows them to stealthily hunt prey. As the snow melts and the summer arrives, their coat changes to a brownish gray to blend into the rocks and plants of the tundra.
ADAPTATIONS: Arctic foxes are equipped with a number of adaptations to help them survive temperatures well below freezing. Their paws are covered from top to bottom with thick fur to protect them from losing body heat when roaming the tundra in the cold winter months. Also, their bodies are designed with efficiency in mind. Their round torso, thick fur, and short muzzle combine to create a body that is well equipped to deal with the frigid temperatures of the arctic.
MORE FUN FACTS:
- Arctic foxes dig deep burrows in the sides of cliffs and snowbanks where they reside with their mates and cubs
- Arctic Foxes are always on the move. They go where the food goes.
- Arctic Foxes alert one another of danger using a unique howl to communicate.
- Arctic Foxes have a few main predators including polar bears, wolves, and bears.
- Arctic Foxes are very quick and are said to be able to run upwards of 30 mph!
The Coldest Zoo in America
The Alaska Zoo is without a doubt the coldest zoo in the United States of America with an average outside temperature of about 35 degrees Fahrenheit. Home to over 100 birds and mammals encompassing 40 different species, the Anchorage-based zoo faces some unique challenges when dealing with the cold and promoting their attractions. The primary goal of The Alaska Zoo is to display the naturally occurring wildlife that the state of Alaska has to offer. That said there are a few exceptions to this general rule including an African Elephant named Maggie and a recently added baby Yak!
As unique as the state that houses it, The Alaska Zoo has a truly one-of-a-kind history that is best told by those who know it first hand. Here is the story according to the Zoo’s homepage:
In 1966, the Crown Zellerbach paper company held a contest. The grand prize was "win $3,000 or a baby elephant." The contest winner, a local grocer named Jack Snyder, surprised everyone when he chose the elephant! So a two-year-old female Asian elephant was brought to Alaska. Eventually the grocer offered the elephant to Mrs. Sammye Seawell, who owned the Diamond H horse ranch in Anchorage (they had the only heated stalls available).
As the local community became interested in visiting the elephant (named Annabelle), Sammye Seawell began to realize that Anchorage needed a place where people could visit animals and learn about them. In 1968, she led a small group of supporters in forming a non-profit corporation. In 1969 the Alaska Children's Zoo opened, taking in orphaned and injured animals that needed homes. Over 30 years later, we are still committed to this mission.
For more info about this truly amazing zoo be sure to check out The Alaska Zoo Homepage
Also be sure to take a look at some of these links from The Alaska Zoo's site:- Polar Bear Live WebCam
- Animals in Action
- The Alaska Zoo Winter Newsletter
Please note Blue Fang Games is in no way associated with The Alaska Zoo or any of its affiliates
Print and Cut Penguin Mask
Print this image on card stock or heavy paper. Cut the off the edges, make eye holes that fit your face. Punch small holes on either side to attach elastic string or ties. If you need to resize this image to make a smaller or larger mask, right click to download to your computer. Resize the downloaded file using image software on your computer.
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| Posted: Thu Dec 17th, 2009 05:36 pm |
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2nd Posts |
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