Saturday, March 27, 2010
Annual Cross Country
Today was the annual cross country run organised by the school. The boys had to run 4.2km while the girls run only 3.8km (I was not sure of the distance). When we arrived at macritchie reservoir, it was about 7am in the morning. After that, we went to Lim Bo Seng's grave. We went there to study the history of Lim Bo Seng and the order of force 136 in the World War II. After visiting his grave, the competitors start first followed by the upper secondary girls,lower secondary girls, lower secondary boys, lastly the upper secondary boys. We had to run pass a forest then run at the side of the expressway.After the run,there is a prize presentation from the principal to give out prizes for the first 10 competitors who finished from the upper secondary boys and girls first then the lower secondary boys and girls. After the prize presentation end, we went back home.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Summary
I learn that the Tasmanian Devils uses large footpads on their hind legs as friction pads so they would not slide down when climbing a tree. Their ears are almost hairless and it was just a thin skin covering the blood vessels. They were hunted by Tasmanian Tigers, eagles go after the Tasmanian Devils in the day and at night, the masked owl and the spotted tail quoll also attack the young Tasmanian Devils. If the older Tasmanian Devils were hungry, they might also eat the young Tasmanian Devils. This is why young Tasmanian Devils can climb so well and so they can escape those Tasmanian Devils who wanted to eat them.
My perspectives have changed. I thought that the Tasmanian Devils were extinct long ago and the size was like a tiger. After reading the whole article I learn that the Tasmanian Devils were not extinct and its population ranges from 10000 to 100000 individuals and the Tasmanian Devils’ size was like a small dog. Its size was like 51 to 79 in cm and their weight is 12kg. There was also a Tasmanian Devil Conservation Park in Australia.
I think that the conservation park in Australia saved a lot of Tasmanian Devils from being eaten and the tumor diseases.
I can help by donating some money to the conservation park so that the organizers of the park can provide some medicines for the Tasmanian Devils and so they will not be easily extinct or endangered.
I would suggest that we would spread the message of endangered Tasmanian Devil for people to know.i would also encourage them to donate money to provide the fund for the scientist to find the cure of the Tumor diseases that the Tasmanian Devils faced. The world will be in a better place as visitors can visit the Tasmanian Devils Conservation Park in Australia, Tasmania, to understand more about reason why we conserve Tasmanian Devils.
My perspectives have changed. I thought that the Tasmanian Devils were extinct long ago and the size was like a tiger. After reading the whole article I learn that the Tasmanian Devils were not extinct and its population ranges from 10000 to 100000 individuals and the Tasmanian Devils’ size was like a small dog. Its size was like 51 to 79 in cm and their weight is 12kg. There was also a Tasmanian Devil Conservation Park in Australia.
I think that the conservation park in Australia saved a lot of Tasmanian Devils from being eaten and the tumor diseases.
I can help by donating some money to the conservation park so that the organizers of the park can provide some medicines for the Tasmanian Devils and so they will not be easily extinct or endangered.
I would suggest that we would spread the message of endangered Tasmanian Devil for people to know.i would also encourage them to donate money to provide the fund for the scientist to find the cure of the Tumor diseases that the Tasmanian Devils faced. The world will be in a better place as visitors can visit the Tasmanian Devils Conservation Park in Australia, Tasmania, to understand more about reason why we conserve Tasmanian Devils.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Adapted from:http://www.dpiw.tas.gov.au/inter.nsf/WebPages/EKOE-6FA6QB?open
Where do Tasmanian devils live?
Wild Tasmanian devils can only be found in Tasmania (Australia). Most of the Tasmanian devils are found in the northern, eastern and central parts of Tasmania. There are many farms in these areas and when farm animals die, devils will sometimes eat the carcasses.
There are also many devils in the Tasmanian wilderness areas and in our National Parks.
Hundreds of years ago, Tasmanian devils not only lived in Tasmania, but also on the Australian mainland. We know this from fossils that have been found. They became extinct on the mainland about 600 years ago.
What do devils look like?
Devils are mostly black but usually have white markings on the rump or the chest. Adult male devils are usually bigger than the females. They stand about 30 centimetres (or 12 inches) high at the shoulder and weigh up to 12 kilograms.
Adult devils have heads that look almost too big for their bodies. In older males, the head and neck can take up nearly a quarter of their weight. That's because devils need those powerful jaws to crunch through bones.
Like other marsupials, the devil stores fat in its tail so that its body has something to draw on when food gets scarce. So, if you see a Tasmanian devil with a fat tail, it means it is in good condition.
What type of animal is a Tasmanian devil?
The Tasmanian devil is a marsupial. Female marsupial animals have pouches in which they carry their young.
The pouch helps the Tasmanian devil mother to feed and protect newly born devils. There are four teats in the pouch, so she can look after four little devils at the same time.
Are devils dangerous to people?
No, devils are not dangerous. They do not attack people, although they will defend themselves if they're attacked or trapped.
Devils may look fierce but they will much rather escape than fight. However, devils have powerful jaws and when they do bite, they can cause serious injury.
What is their scientific name?
Their Latin scientific name is Sarcophilus harrisii. That means Harris's meat lover. Harris is the name of the scientist who described the Tasmanian devil.
Devil history
The early European settlers of Hobart didn't like them, because the devils ate their chickens and they thought the devils would eat other farm animals too. So, they hunted the devils. In 1830 the Van Diemen's Land Company put up a reward for every devil killed on their property. The reward was two shillings and sixpence (25 cents) for a male devil and three shillings and sixpence (35 cents) for a female.
For many years, Tasmanian devils were caught in traps and shot. They almost disappeared and some people thought devils would become extinct, like the Tasmanian tiger. It was only in 1941 that laws protected the devils.
Luckily, the devil population increased again over the years, but there is now a new worry. Many Tasmanian devils are dying from a disease that has spread among the devils. Scientists are working hard to find a cure.
Are devils useful?
They certainly are. Devils play an important role, by eating sick and dead animals. They probably also help to control feral cats in Tasmania and, by doing so, they help to protect some of our native species, particularly birds. They can even help us control animals that do not belong in Tasmania – such as the red fox, an animal that is a big problem on the Australian mainland. While there are many devils around, it is very difficult for foxes to breed in Tasmania. Fox dens are very smelly and quite messy, so devils can quickly sniff them out.
Devils are also useful in other ways. Think about things that are unique to Tasmania and the Tasmanian devil will probably be at the top of your list. Tourists love to see our devils and they will travel long distances to do so. Devils are so popular that products and sports teams are named after them.
My reflections
The tasmanian devil uses their large footpads on their hind legs as friction pads so they will not slide down when climbing a tree.Their ears are almost hairless and the skin is just a thin skin covering the blood vessels. Their jaws can bite as a dog four times their size. Before they became extinct, the Tasmanian tigers must have hunted them. Eagles also go after young devils when they come out by day. At night, masked owl and the spotted tail quoll may attack young devils. And, if they are hungry enough, large devils may even eat the smaller ones. The reason why young devils can climb so well may be so that they can escape large devils.
Where do Tasmanian devils live?
Wild Tasmanian devils can only be found in Tasmania (Australia). Most of the Tasmanian devils are found in the northern, eastern and central parts of Tasmania. There are many farms in these areas and when farm animals die, devils will sometimes eat the carcasses.
There are also many devils in the Tasmanian wilderness areas and in our National Parks.
Hundreds of years ago, Tasmanian devils not only lived in Tasmania, but also on the Australian mainland. We know this from fossils that have been found. They became extinct on the mainland about 600 years ago.
What do devils look like?
Devils are mostly black but usually have white markings on the rump or the chest. Adult male devils are usually bigger than the females. They stand about 30 centimetres (or 12 inches) high at the shoulder and weigh up to 12 kilograms.
Adult devils have heads that look almost too big for their bodies. In older males, the head and neck can take up nearly a quarter of their weight. That's because devils need those powerful jaws to crunch through bones.
Like other marsupials, the devil stores fat in its tail so that its body has something to draw on when food gets scarce. So, if you see a Tasmanian devil with a fat tail, it means it is in good condition.
What type of animal is a Tasmanian devil?
The Tasmanian devil is a marsupial. Female marsupial animals have pouches in which they carry their young.
The pouch helps the Tasmanian devil mother to feed and protect newly born devils. There are four teats in the pouch, so she can look after four little devils at the same time.
Are devils dangerous to people?
No, devils are not dangerous. They do not attack people, although they will defend themselves if they're attacked or trapped.
Devils may look fierce but they will much rather escape than fight. However, devils have powerful jaws and when they do bite, they can cause serious injury.
What is their scientific name?
Their Latin scientific name is Sarcophilus harrisii. That means Harris's meat lover. Harris is the name of the scientist who described the Tasmanian devil.
Devil history
The early European settlers of Hobart didn't like them, because the devils ate their chickens and they thought the devils would eat other farm animals too. So, they hunted the devils. In 1830 the Van Diemen's Land Company put up a reward for every devil killed on their property. The reward was two shillings and sixpence (25 cents) for a male devil and three shillings and sixpence (35 cents) for a female.
For many years, Tasmanian devils were caught in traps and shot. They almost disappeared and some people thought devils would become extinct, like the Tasmanian tiger. It was only in 1941 that laws protected the devils.
Luckily, the devil population increased again over the years, but there is now a new worry. Many Tasmanian devils are dying from a disease that has spread among the devils. Scientists are working hard to find a cure.
Are devils useful?
They certainly are. Devils play an important role, by eating sick and dead animals. They probably also help to control feral cats in Tasmania and, by doing so, they help to protect some of our native species, particularly birds. They can even help us control animals that do not belong in Tasmania – such as the red fox, an animal that is a big problem on the Australian mainland. While there are many devils around, it is very difficult for foxes to breed in Tasmania. Fox dens are very smelly and quite messy, so devils can quickly sniff them out.
Devils are also useful in other ways. Think about things that are unique to Tasmania and the Tasmanian devil will probably be at the top of your list. Tourists love to see our devils and they will travel long distances to do so. Devils are so popular that products and sports teams are named after them.
My reflections
The tasmanian devil uses their large footpads on their hind legs as friction pads so they will not slide down when climbing a tree.Their ears are almost hairless and the skin is just a thin skin covering the blood vessels. Their jaws can bite as a dog four times their size. Before they became extinct, the Tasmanian tigers must have hunted them. Eagles also go after young devils when they come out by day. At night, masked owl and the spotted tail quoll may attack young devils. And, if they are hungry enough, large devils may even eat the smaller ones. The reason why young devils can climb so well may be so that they can escape large devils.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Tasmanian Devil ( Reflection 2)
Article from: http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/tasmanian-devil.html
Tasmanian devils have a notoriously cantankerous disposition and will fly into a maniacal rage when threatened by a predator, fighting for a mate, or defending a meal. Early European settlers dubbed it a "devil" after witnessing such displays, which include teeth-baring, lunging, and an array of spine-chilling guttural growls.
These famously feisty mammals have a coat of coarse brown or black fur and a stocky profile that gives them the appearance of a baby bear. Most have a white stripe or patch on their chest and light spots on their sides or rear end. They have long front legs and shorter rear legs, giving them a lumbering, pig like gait.
The Tasmanian devil is the world's largest carnivorous marsupial, reaching 30 inches in length and weighing up to 26 pounds although its size will vary widely depending on its specific range and the availability of food. Its oversize head houses sharp teeth and strong, muscular jaws that can deliver, pound for pound, one of the most powerful bites of any mammal.
Tasmanian devils are strictly carnivorous, surviving on small prey such as snakes, birds, fish, and insects and frequently feasting communally on carrion. They are at their most rowdy when jockeying for position on a large carcass. Like other marsupials, when they are well fed, their tails swell with stored fat.
Devils are solitary and nocturnal, spending their days alone in hollow logs, caves, or burrows, and emerging at night to feed. They use their long whiskers and excellent sense of smell and sight to avoid predators and locate prey and carrion. They'll eat pretty much anything they can get their teeth on, and when they do find food, they are voracious, consuming everything—including hair, organs, and bones.
Mothers give birth after about three weeks of pregnancy to 20 or 30 very tiny young. These raisin-size babies crawl up the mother's fur and into her pouch. However, the mother has only four nipples, so only a handful of babies survive. Infants emerge after about four months and are generally weaned by the sixth month and on their own by the eighth.
Efforts in the late 1800s to eradicate Tasmanian devils were nearly successful. In 1941, the government made devils a protected species, and their numbers have grown steadily since.
Survival Threatened
Tragically, though, a catastrophic illness discovered in the mid-1990s has killed tens of thousands of Tasmanian devils. Called devil facial tumor disease , this rapidly spreading condition is a rare contagious cancer that causes large lumps to form around the animal's mouth and head, making it hard for it to eat. The animal eventually starves to death. Animal health experts are sequestering populations where the disease has not yet appeared and are focusing on captive breeding programs to save the species from extinction. Because of the outbreak, the Australian government has listed Tasmanian devils as vulnerable.
My Reflections: Before reading this article, i thought that the Tasmanian Devils were extinct and their size was like a lion. After reading this article, the Tasmanian Devils were not extinct and it's population range from 10000 to 100000 individuals, with 20000 to 50000 mature individuals. The article also shows that a tasmanian devil's size was just like a small dog (Size : 51 to 79 in cm, weight 12kg).
Tasmanian devils have a notoriously cantankerous disposition and will fly into a maniacal rage when threatened by a predator, fighting for a mate, or defending a meal. Early European settlers dubbed it a "devil" after witnessing such displays, which include teeth-baring, lunging, and an array of spine-chilling guttural growls.
These famously feisty mammals have a coat of coarse brown or black fur and a stocky profile that gives them the appearance of a baby bear. Most have a white stripe or patch on their chest and light spots on their sides or rear end. They have long front legs and shorter rear legs, giving them a lumbering, pig like gait.
The Tasmanian devil is the world's largest carnivorous marsupial, reaching 30 inches in length and weighing up to 26 pounds although its size will vary widely depending on its specific range and the availability of food. Its oversize head houses sharp teeth and strong, muscular jaws that can deliver, pound for pound, one of the most powerful bites of any mammal.
Tasmanian devils are strictly carnivorous, surviving on small prey such as snakes, birds, fish, and insects and frequently feasting communally on carrion. They are at their most rowdy when jockeying for position on a large carcass. Like other marsupials, when they are well fed, their tails swell with stored fat.
Devils are solitary and nocturnal, spending their days alone in hollow logs, caves, or burrows, and emerging at night to feed. They use their long whiskers and excellent sense of smell and sight to avoid predators and locate prey and carrion. They'll eat pretty much anything they can get their teeth on, and when they do find food, they are voracious, consuming everything—including hair, organs, and bones.
Mothers give birth after about three weeks of pregnancy to 20 or 30 very tiny young. These raisin-size babies crawl up the mother's fur and into her pouch. However, the mother has only four nipples, so only a handful of babies survive. Infants emerge after about four months and are generally weaned by the sixth month and on their own by the eighth.
Efforts in the late 1800s to eradicate Tasmanian devils were nearly successful. In 1941, the government made devils a protected species, and their numbers have grown steadily since.
Survival Threatened
Tragically, though, a catastrophic illness discovered in the mid-1990s has killed tens of thousands of Tasmanian devils. Called devil facial tumor disease , this rapidly spreading condition is a rare contagious cancer that causes large lumps to form around the animal's mouth and head, making it hard for it to eat. The animal eventually starves to death. Animal health experts are sequestering populations where the disease has not yet appeared and are focusing on captive breeding programs to save the species from extinction. Because of the outbreak, the Australian government has listed Tasmanian devils as vulnerable.
My Reflections: Before reading this article, i thought that the Tasmanian Devils were extinct and their size was like a lion. After reading this article, the Tasmanian Devils were not extinct and it's population range from 10000 to 100000 individuals, with 20000 to 50000 mature individuals. The article also shows that a tasmanian devil's size was just like a small dog (Size : 51 to 79 in cm, weight 12kg).
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Reflection 1
Adapted from:http://www.mountstuart.tased.edu.au/tasmanian%20devil%20site/Facts.htm
DESCRIPTION
One of the characteristics of a Tasmanian Devil is its large ears, head and shoulders, powerful set of jaws and strong canine teeth. The Tasmanian Devil is black with a white stripe across the rump and chest. The Tasmanian Devil usually grows to between 50 cm to 60 cm long. It usually stands between 20 cm and 30 cm at the shoulder and can weigh up to 12kg but usually weighs between 6kg to 10kg
Habitat
The Tasmanian Devil lives in Tasmania. It used to live on the mainland but became extinct on there 600 years ago because of the dingoes. The Tasmanian Devil lives all over Tasmania except for a small corner of South West Tasmania. They live in areas where there is dense bush or scrub land and make their home in hollow logs and rocks.
Diet
The Tasmanian Devil is a carnivorous marsupial which means they eat meat. They will kill birds and small animals but the Tasmanian Devil is mainly a scavenger that prefers to eat the carcasses of dead animals. They are not good hunters and so prefer to scavenge for their food. This is good for the farmers because they clear up dead animals and stop disease from spreading. They eat basically everything and this means they eat bones, fur and everything else. They eat possums, small wallabies, kangaroos, reptiles, they steal eggs they basically eat anything.
Behaviour
Although Tasmanian Devils look and sound ferocious, they can become very friendly. The Tasmanian Devil competes with the Spotted tail Quoll for food but it could also be its saviour in Tasmania. The Tasmanian Devil fights for food and survival. They have a ferocious sounding growl which contributed to their name because the early settlers thought they sounded like a devil. It has a whining growl followed by a cough or hollow fearsome growl when angry. Their ears are usually pink but turn red when they are angry or distressed.
BABIES
Most Devils start breeding in their second year. Devils mate in March, the male Devil carries the female around for 3 weeks for safety and she gives birth alone in April. When the babies are born they are as big as the top of a matchstick. Tasmanian Devils have up to 20 babies but only four babies can live in the pouch so at least 16 will not make it to the pouch. Usually 2-4 babies are born the second time out of the pouch. . Devils live up to 7-8 years.
My reflections
I thought that the Tasmanian devils gave birth to baby Tasmanian devils and left them in a small hole in the ground.After reading the article, i now knew the Tasmanian Devil can only live up to 7-8 years,more than 50 Tasmanian devil die each year.The Tasmanian Devil can walk up to 16km without stopping and they can only see black and white only.
DESCRIPTION
One of the characteristics of a Tasmanian Devil is its large ears, head and shoulders, powerful set of jaws and strong canine teeth. The Tasmanian Devil is black with a white stripe across the rump and chest. The Tasmanian Devil usually grows to between 50 cm to 60 cm long. It usually stands between 20 cm and 30 cm at the shoulder and can weigh up to 12kg but usually weighs between 6kg to 10kg
Habitat
The Tasmanian Devil lives in Tasmania. It used to live on the mainland but became extinct on there 600 years ago because of the dingoes. The Tasmanian Devil lives all over Tasmania except for a small corner of South West Tasmania. They live in areas where there is dense bush or scrub land and make their home in hollow logs and rocks.
Diet
The Tasmanian Devil is a carnivorous marsupial which means they eat meat. They will kill birds and small animals but the Tasmanian Devil is mainly a scavenger that prefers to eat the carcasses of dead animals. They are not good hunters and so prefer to scavenge for their food. This is good for the farmers because they clear up dead animals and stop disease from spreading. They eat basically everything and this means they eat bones, fur and everything else. They eat possums, small wallabies, kangaroos, reptiles, they steal eggs they basically eat anything.
Behaviour
Although Tasmanian Devils look and sound ferocious, they can become very friendly. The Tasmanian Devil competes with the Spotted tail Quoll for food but it could also be its saviour in Tasmania. The Tasmanian Devil fights for food and survival. They have a ferocious sounding growl which contributed to their name because the early settlers thought they sounded like a devil. It has a whining growl followed by a cough or hollow fearsome growl when angry. Their ears are usually pink but turn red when they are angry or distressed.
BABIES
Most Devils start breeding in their second year. Devils mate in March, the male Devil carries the female around for 3 weeks for safety and she gives birth alone in April. When the babies are born they are as big as the top of a matchstick. Tasmanian Devils have up to 20 babies but only four babies can live in the pouch so at least 16 will not make it to the pouch. Usually 2-4 babies are born the second time out of the pouch. . Devils live up to 7-8 years.
My reflections
I thought that the Tasmanian devils gave birth to baby Tasmanian devils and left them in a small hole in the ground.After reading the article, i now knew the Tasmanian Devil can only live up to 7-8 years,more than 50 Tasmanian devil die each year.The Tasmanian Devil can walk up to 16km without stopping and they can only see black and white only.
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