Field Guide to the Dinosaurs of the WitmerLab
My favorite creature from today were the saber-toothed cats. I think it’s really unique how recent the skeletons are in comparison to the others, though they are extinct. I thought their teeth, specifically the large front two that could work as scissors with the other teeth, were very interesting. I also observed the dental structures of other creatures like T-Rex and alligator and learned how much they replace their teeth and how their teeth can show their evolutionary heritage and such. The Ankylosaurus was a close runner-up.
The red throated hummingbird skull was my favorite to learn about. Even with the tiny tongue sticking out. While it’s tiny it’s not the smallest hummingbird. That title goes to the Cuban bee hummingbird. The unusual figure-eight it forms with its wings when it flies sets it apart from all the other birds.
I chose the Hooded Seal as my favorite animal in the lab because I just think it is really interesting. I remember us learning that the Hooded Seal can close their nasal septa to create an air bag like formation. A big white thing comes out of their heads that makes it looks like an airbag just inflated in a car. I also learned that they can close only one of their nasal septa to create a red bag that comes out of the nostril. Once again, this creates a shape that looks like an airbag. The reason it is red is because that is the area where the blood in the nose is held. And that is what I have learned about the Hooded Seal.
Animal: Cleared & Stained Crocodile [Alligator]
Embryo
Why I like it:
-It’s small for a crocodile
-It’s blue
-You’re able to see the bones
-It’s see-through
-It’s dead
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