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Tortoise Moods

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Do reptiles have long-term moods? A research paper published this year would say yes! They found that tortoises who approached a bowl more quickly, hoping for a tasty treat, were also more comfortable in a novel environment. The researchers concluded that these tortoises were optimistic.  A Red-Footed Tortoise, the same species used in the study. Ethologist Karolina Westlund compares this type of animal to Gene Kelly when he sings:  "I'm singing in the rain, just singing in the rain What a glorious feeling, I'm happy again I'm laughing at clouds..."* When we're in a good mood, we can laugh at clouds! Westlund says we perceive potentially negative experiences as laughable, friendly, or safe. The optimistic tortoises didn't know if they would get a treat at the bowl or not, but they approached it quickly as if they thought there was a good chance of getting a reward. And they showed fewer stress behaviors in a new place, perhaps assuming that the new enviro...
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Frog Hands

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As I searched the worm bin for our salamander's next meal, I found a red worm smaller than most. I wondered if it was small enough for our tree frog to eat. I offered it to the frog and she jumped on it immediately. It was a mouthful for this little frog and she used her front feet like my 1-year-old daughter uses her hands to eat noodles, grabbing a fistful and cramming it into her mouth.
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Carson's Summer

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Carson the Red-tailed Hawk deserves a bit of fanfare. This was the first year that she chose to participate in every program this summer. After 11 Talon Talks at the Museum and two library programs, Carson met over 580 people! ðŸŽ‰ Carson met a big crowd at the Hayward Library this summer! 📷 :  Sherman & Ruth Weiss Community Library
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Not Technically in the Way

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Author Fredrik Backman shared a video of his dog's habit of laying in front of the refrigerator, leaving just enough room to open the door. He describes her humorous ability "to ALWAYS be in the way, without TECHNICALLY being in the way." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Fredrik Backman (@backmansk) Aldo the kestrel turned out to have the same skill on Monday when I gave him a larger chunk of food than usual. He tried to fly to another perch with his feast, but the weight of it pulled him down. He landed on the ground and scuttled into the corner to start eating his chick. Unfortunately for me, he chose the corner right in front of my exit door. I was trapped! I slowly cracked the door, hoping he would hop away. Aldo, however, continued ripping at his meal. As I inched the door open, I found that it could swing past Aldo with just a hair's distance to spare. I slipped out the door and thanked Aldo for not technically being in the way. 
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Farewell

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We sadly had to say goodbye to our wonderful interns, Katherine and Kylie, last week. In their final days, we made time for them to hold Aldo the kestrel on glove and give him a few tidbits. What a special farewell and thank you for all of their hard work this summer!
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Head-Bobbing

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As I walked past the pollinator garden with Carson, the hawk's neck stretched back and forth almost comically. Carson was stabilizing her vision as we moved just like a chicken or pigeon strutting. By holding the head steady while the body moves, birds can keep a clear view of their moving environment. As the body continues to move forward, the head quickly snaps forward to catch up. It appeared Carson was just as interested in observing the garden - or the rabbit rustling in the foliage - as I was!
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Black and White

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I've always thought of Aldo the kestrel as a colorful bird, so I was surprised to find these black and white tail feathers in his mew!
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