This morning we only went out for about 3 hours to finish measuring trees in the plot where we left off yesterday. It had rained overnight, so it was REALLY muddy (mud = slipping and sliding = fun times!), but it didn't rain while we were out in the rainforest. I had a really easy job... the data recorder! Basically, I just sat or stood nearby and when people took their measurements, I wrote them down on a data sheet. I found a little snail friend who hung out with me and kept me company for the morning. We came back early for lunch, and we'll be doing our frog study tonight. I can't wait to see what that's like! I'm a little nervous to hike around in the dark, but it will be so cool to see and hold lots of coqui tree frogs!
Since I have a little extra time this afternoon, I thought I might answer some of the questions you've been asking me. Most of these questions were asked by students in my class before I left on this trip (special thanks to Noelle for typing them up for me):
Mikayla & Allison asked: What kinds of animals live there?
A: Mostly frogs, lizards, snails, snakes (the boa is one), LOTS of bugs (it seems like at least 300 different kinds!), and a few mammals... the mongoose is probably the largest mammal here.
Noelle, Austin, & Kara asked: How many kinds of frogs live there?
A: There are 13 species of frog on the island of Puerto Rico, but we will only look at two of them on our frog study night.
Hannah D. asked: What do tree frogs eat?
A: They eat many different insects.
Emily asked: How deep does the mud get there?
A: I'm not sure how deep it can get, but I've sank down to my ankles and I'm told that it gets much deeper when it rains for days. Let's hope I don't have to find out! :)
Olivia asked: How long has the rainforest been there?
A: The rainforest I'm in has only been here for about 100 years. Before that, the land was used for other things like a coffee plantation. When those people left, the rainforest began to grow... and grow... and grow! It's amazing how tall these trees are, even though they aren't that old!
Jacob asked: How was your trip?
A: Long... and my luggage didn't arrive with me, but it did get here on the second day! Thanks to everyone for your concern. :)
Great questions, guys... I'll try to answer more in the next few days. After I do this frog study tonight, I should be able to answer many more of your frog-related questions.
Since I have a little extra time this afternoon, I thought I might answer some of the questions you've been asking me. Most of these questions were asked by students in my class before I left on this trip (special thanks to Noelle for typing them up for me):
Mikayla & Allison asked: What kinds of animals live there?
A: Mostly frogs, lizards, snails, snakes (the boa is one), LOTS of bugs (it seems like at least 300 different kinds!), and a few mammals... the mongoose is probably the largest mammal here.
Noelle, Austin, & Kara asked: How many kinds of frogs live there?
A: There are 13 species of frog on the island of Puerto Rico, but we will only look at two of them on our frog study night.
Hannah D. asked: What do tree frogs eat?
A: They eat many different insects.
Emily asked: How deep does the mud get there?
A: I'm not sure how deep it can get, but I've sank down to my ankles and I'm told that it gets much deeper when it rains for days. Let's hope I don't have to find out! :)
Olivia asked: How long has the rainforest been there?
A: The rainforest I'm in has only been here for about 100 years. Before that, the land was used for other things like a coffee plantation. When those people left, the rainforest began to grow... and grow... and grow! It's amazing how tall these trees are, even though they aren't that old!
Jacob asked: How was your trip?
A: Long... and my luggage didn't arrive with me, but it did get here on the second day! Thanks to everyone for your concern. :)
Great questions, guys... I'll try to answer more in the next few days. After I do this frog study tonight, I should be able to answer many more of your frog-related questions.
1 comment:
Hi Carrie, It was so exciting to be part of your live webcast today! My first graders are very interested in your expedition and enjoy learning from you about the rainforest and the animals that live there. Your comment on your blog about the boas has us intrigued and we can't wait to find out more about the coqui. we could see you well but we could only hear you when you were right up to the mic and you spoke in a very loud voice. When you did that we could hear you perfectly. The snail was cool! Thanks again from Denise Jackson and room 310.
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