OUCH, What Big Spines You Have!

I was leisurely strolling thru the rainforest this afternoon, watching fireflies (lightning bugs) blink on and off and listening to the howler monkeys howl.  It’s a good thing that I was watching where I was walking because I came very close to this black palm tree trunk covered with long, black spines. 

These spines would definitely pierce through my field pants and maybe even my hiking boots.  I’m sure that I would get a nasty infection if some of these spines broke off in my skin.  It reminded me that I always need to look around when I’m hiking in the rainforest to avoid dangers.  These spines are a defense mechanism for the black palm to protect its fruit and seeds. If I were a rainforest animal who eats seeds, I would definitely think twice before scurrying up this tree trunk to get some yummy seeds. 

Notice in this other photo that Dr. Jackie Willis took that this monkey seems to be sitting very close to the spines of this black palm tree while eating its fruits.  I guess, in this case the fruits were just so enticing, that the monkey was willing to take his chances with the spines.  I know that I will stay as far away from any black palm trunks that I see on future rainforest hikes!

- Fran Zakutansky

Oh, Your Baby Is So Cute….But It Does Not Look Anything Like You!

Many animals have young that look like small versions of the adults.  For instance puppies look like adult dogs and kittens are just adorable versions of their parents.  Even young termites resemble adults.

Some animals go through life stages where their young don’t look at all like the adults. For example caterpillars, mealworms, and maggots are larval (young) insects.  These larvae look more like crunchy worms than insects. 

Many amphibians go thru a life stage called a tadpole, where the young frog looks and acts more like a fish than a frog.  Tadpoles swim and have gills like fish do.  As I was walking around some of buildings yesterday, I saw these tadpoles swimming in a moat.  I’m sorry that I will not stay on this gorgeous rainforest island long enough to see what type of frog these tadpoles will become.  I know they are not ready to transform into adults yet because they have not started sprouting legs and their tails are still long and fully functional for swimming. 

I saw other insects on top of the water while I watched the tadpoles.  I will blog about them some time soon, so stay tuned to Ramblin’ Round the Rainforest!

- Fran Zakutansky

Poison Dart Frog

I am back in the beautiful rainforest on Barro Colorado Island, in the middle of Lake Gatun, in the Panama Canal.  Go to google maps and search for “Panama Canal, Panama”.  Find Barro Colorado Island in the middle of Lake Gatun.  Zoom way in (in the Satellite view) and you will see the only buildings on the island are in a cove along the eastern shore.  That is where I am living for the next 2 weeks.  Now, zoom out and notice that the rest of the island is all green, lush, beautiful tropical rainforest.  Scientists from all over the world come to this island to study all kinds of plants and animals. 

Even though we are in the middle of the dry season, here, in February, there are still some streams and wet areas.  That is exactly where I saw this poison dart frog this morning as I was hiking near a small stream. Frogs are amphibians and have thin skin that needs to be kept moist.  So, if you are looking for frogs, look near a stream.

Many frogs have camouflage coloration, making it difficult to see them in their environment because they blend in well.  Take a look at the pretty coloration of this little frog, who is only about the size of a nickel.  This frog produces toxins (poisons) in its skin.  Its bright coloration warns predators that this frog will not make a tasty meal (this is called aposematic coloration and is the opposite of camouflage).

Poison dart frogs got their names because there are a few species whose skin is very toxic and natives rubbed the tips of their blow darts on the frog’s skin to help them catch their dinner out in the forest.

I know there are other colors of poison dart frogs, but so far this is the only color that I have seen on BCI.

- Fran Zakutansky