News From The Mews

I first heard of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs as a young naturalist learning to lead nature classes. The basic idea is that you need to address a person's needs at the bottom of the pyramid before the top tiers can be addressed.  Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, csaedu.com If I'm out on a trail with a group of 5th graders, imagine that their physiological needs are not met (maybe they're thirsty or tired) or they feel unsafe (they might be in the woods for the first time in their life or are afraid of insects). No matter how good my lesson is, the kids would not be able to engage with my content because their basic needs are not met. That's why I seek out shade, provide bathroom breaks, and give reassuring explanations when I teach groups of students.  I had never thought to apply this idea to animals. A bird training webinar this week featured a reimagined version of the hierarchy in the inspiring form of a tree. The base of the tree is still rooted in the animal

  While this toad looks like he hasn’t had his morning coffee yet, I bet he was enjoying the sun by the Museum’s front door. Just like all amphibians, toads are ectothermic, meaning they cannot create their own body heat. They use microhabitats to adjust their body temperature. A sunny section of concrete likely warmed this toad's body after a chilly night. Later in the day, he probably moved to a damp or shady spot nearby to cool down.

  Summer Naturalist Intern Sarah hasn't been in Cable for long, but they've already contributed to our Museum collections. I barely had time to hang up my jacket one morning when Sarah eagerly held up a terrarium with a tree frog they had found the night before. I was immediately in love with his mottled gray and green coloration. We put together a habitat for the frog and let him explore his new home in the Curiosity Center. Next time you visit the Museum, see if you can spot this well-camouflaged critter!

  Her tail flared  and wings flapped,  droplets of water forming on her head  until she gave a vigorous shake.  Carson the Red-tailed Hawk enjoyed a shower in the rain earlier this week!