All living things change throughout their lives. Plants and animals are born, grow up, and eventually die. This process is known as a life cycle. Living things that are related, for example, butterflies, go through the same life cycle. Sometimes changes that occur during the life cycle look small, and other times, they almost look like a completely different organism! Printables: “How To” Videos: Additional Links:
Birds are animals with backbones with a beak, wings, feathers, two legs, lay eggs, and are warm-blooded. Some birds, like the Mourning Dove, live in Maryland all year long. Others, like Osprey, only live in Maryland for part of the year. There are hundreds of species, or types, of birds that rely on the Chesapeake Bay region for food, water, shelter, and space. Printables: “How To” Videos: Additional Links:
The days are getting longer, and the nights are getting shorter. Do you know what that means? Spring is coming! – Spring is the transition between winter and summer. The warmer temperatures and rain are important to plants as they grow leaves and flowers. This is also the season when we start to see a lot of baby animals. Go outside and see what you can find! Printables: “How To” Videos: Additional Links:
Camouflage helps animals survive in their habitat. It can help animals hide from predators (animals that might eat them). For predators, camouflage can help them blend into their habitat while they are hunting for food. Printables: “How To” Videos: Additional Links:
Animals make their homes in lots of different habitats. But sometimes, the environment doesn’t feel quite right… something is missing! Many animals change their habitat by digging holes, building nests, or spinning webs. Sometimes animals change their habitat by making it more comfortable. Scientists call these animals Ecosystem Engineers. Printables: “How To” Videos: Additional Links:
Reptiles are a type of cold-blooded animal with a backbone, dry, scaly skin, and lays eggs. Turtles, lizards, and snakes are examples of reptiles. Did you know Maryland is home toover 50 different kinds of reptiles?!? Printables: “How To” Videos: Additional Links:
Did you know that water can be a solid, liquid, or gas?!? Snow is a special form of solid water that forms when water freezes around tiny bits of dirt inside a cloud. No two snowflakes are alike. Printables: “How To” Videos: Additional Links:
February is here, and we all know what that means, Groundhog Day is near! Legend has it; if a groundhog sees their shadow in early February, we will have six more weeks of winter. If groundhogs don’t see their shadow, then spring is on its way! Printables: “How To” Videos: Additional Links: Mayor Cerino Looks for Chestertown Charlie
Fish are animals that live in the water and have backbones, gills, and fins. The Chesapeake Bay is home to nearly 350 different kinds of fish. From Northern Pufferfish to Atlantic Sturgeon and Bullnose Sharks to Hogchokers, the Bay is full of fantastic fish! Printables: “How To” Videos: Additional Links:
The days are cold and short! Thick fur, sleeping through the winter, or moving to a warmer area are just a few of the many ways animals can survive winter. Printables: “How To” Videos: Additional Links:
Animal families, like ours, come in different shapes and sizes. Some families, like Beaver colonies, have parents, older siblings, and younger siblings. While otheranimals, like turtles, the young never see their parents! Printables: “How To” Videos: Additional Links:
Wiggly, squiggly, slimy worms are an important food source for animals and help plants by burrowing through the soil. Printables: “How To” Videos: Additional Links:
The Chesapeake Bay is home to the Eastern Oyster. Oysters are bivalves, animals with two shells that spend almost all of their life in one spot. Oysters are an important part of the Bay ecosystem because they provide food and habitat for other animals. They also help clean the water just by eating! Printables: “How To” Videos: Additional Links:
When fresh water reaches the Chesapeake, it mixes with salt water from the Atlantic Ocean to create brackish water. Ecosystems that contain brackish water are called estuaries. The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in North America. It is also home to over 2,000 species of plants and animals! Some of the most well-known animals are oysters, crabs, and striped bass (rockfish). Printables: “How-To” Videos: Additional Links:
Amphibians are cold-blooded animals that have a backbone and lay eggs. Most amphibians spend their “childhood” in water and “adulthood” on land. Frogs, toads, salamanders, and newts are all examples of amphibians. Printables: “How-To” Videos: Additional Links:
