FISH, AMPHIBIANS and REPTILES

The first steps up the vertebrate ladder!
Aquatic vertebrates (fish) and the first to
transition from water to land (amphibians
and reptiles), able to free themselves from
water by developing amniotic eggs.

MORE AMPHIBIAN & REPTILE SLIDES
Additional information on a number of note- worthy amphibians and reptiles is provided in these programs as part of broader pre- sentations. 4 pgms. 80 slides, rich texts.
EP #108X SLIDES
$129.95

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SAVE OVER $40.00 ON 4 SLIDE SET BUNDLE ORDER EP #108X......$129.95
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WINTER SURVIVAL TECHNIQUES OF COLD-BLOODED ANIMALS Order #462.....$42.50

Describes methods used by poikilothermic creatures to survive the winter.
Discussions include migration, hibernation, and survival via eggs and various larval
stages. Coverage includes fish, various reptiles and amphibians, molluscs, worm,
arachnids, and numerous orders of insects. 20 slides and guide.

CONTENT SAMPLE: 21651 Although reptiles and amphibians are classified as
poikilotherms, they do regulate their own body temperatures to a surprising extent. This
thermoregulation is behavioral rather than metabolic as in the homoiotherms, however.

It is usually assumed that reptiles have a body temperature roughly equal to that of the
substratum, but it has been shown that the temperature of reptiles is usually higher than that of
the surrounding air. In fact, the body temperatures of lizards such as this leopard lizard
(Crataphytus wislizeni ) may be as much as 40° or 50° higher than the air temperature. For
example, a lizard lying on a black rock on a cool but sunny day will take on the temperature of
the rock rather than that of the air.

If its body temperature is too low, the lizard may flatten itself against the rock, absorbing
heat from the sun and more heat from the rock. If it gets too hot, it may leave the rock or stand
up slightly to allow some air to pass underneath it. Snakes can regulate their temperature by
placing different proportions of their bodies in sun or in shade. The variations are numerous, but
the end result is the same--some degree of temperature regulation in reptiles.

The leopard lizard is an inhabitant of arid and semiarid plains where the dominant
vegetation is bunchgrass or sagebrush. It lies in ambush in shade, camouflaged by its spotted
pattern, and waits for unwary insects to wander near. Cicadas, grasshoppers crickets, spiders,
small lizards, blossoms and seeds are all eaten to some degree.

Like rattlesnakes, leopard lizards spend the winter in underground crevices. But this
lizard is not found so far north, and so does not go as deep underground and does not pass the
winter in masses.

REVIEWS: “Students will enjoy learning more about this subject. The text...will
motivate the curious to further study. A recommended purchase...” Previews.
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ECOLOGY AND ANIMALS OF THE GALAPAGOS Order #110........$42.50

Known to every student of biology as the inspiration for Darwin's theory, and
increasingly popular with adventure-minded tourists, the Galapagos Islands remain today
much as they were when Darwin first saw them. Currently a nature preserve and
research center, their exotic animal life is now protected. This program presents the
factors that made the islands an evolutionary laboratory--variations in climate and
geography, the giant tortoises, iguanas, lizards, insects, birds, sea lions and plants. 20
slides and detailed guide.

CONTENT SAMPLE: 17367 The marine iguana (Amblyrhynchus cristatus) is the only
lizard adapted to live by the sea and be at home in the surf. There are distinct races, ranging from
the inky black on Narborough (seen here) to the rather colorful variety on Hood. Presumably
descended from some type of continental American land iguana, they probably reached the
islands clinging to flotsam, able to survive because they could tolerate immersion in salt water
and long periods of complete starvation. The marine iguana is huge, three to four feet long with
the length evenly divided between body and tail.

Gigantism in island creatures, when compared to mainland relatives, is thought to result
from an abundant food supply and little competition. In this case there is abundant food and no
competition whatsoever.

The marine iguana is a stout animal with strong limbs, a dragon like head and horny
scales along its spine. Its feet have five toes and strong claws to clutch the rocks in the strong
surf. Its snout is blunt and foreshortened, enabling it to scrape algae from the rocks. Its tail is
flattened on the sides and serves as both a propulsion force and rudder in the water. Though a
good swimmer, it only takes to the water to feed. It has the habit of squirting water to spit and
snort out surplus salt.

During the breeding season males occupy individual small territories in which they live
with several females. Their defense is first a matter of display, then a fight by pushing with their
armored heads. Finally the victor responds to a submission gesture by allowing the loser to
escape. As is the case with most territorial struggles among animals, the battle is more like a
tournament or ritual than a battle to the death. Almost always the intruder loses and neither
animal is seriously injured.
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ECOLOGY OF A BOG Order #109..........$42.50

Describes the formation and maintenance of a typical bog environment, its
special characteristics and problems, and surveys typical bog flora and fauna. Coverage
includes why bogs "quake," marsh marigold, sphagnum moss, insectivorous plants,
sedges, larch, spruce, cranberry, Labrador tea, buckbean, three species of orchid,
salamander, wood frog, vole, jumping mouse and endangered bog turtle. 20 slides and
detailed guide.

CONTENT SAMPLE: 27232 Showy lady's slipper (Cypripedium reginae) is one of the
best-known and most familiar of our bog orchids. Veteran bog-trotters affectionately refer to it as
the "big pink and white.' It is the official state flower of Minnesota.

Showy lady's slipper grows best in open areas between tamaracks or white cedars.
Often it is common just within the tree line surrounding so many bogs. It is intolerant of heavy
shade and usually fails to bloom under such conditions. It may continue to produce a single,
spindly leaf for some years after being shaded out and can recover to bloom again if the trees are
thinned. This plant prefers neutral or limy soils and is rarely found on sphagnum.

Showy lady's slipper frequently bears two, or even three flowers per plant, each formed
at the base of a leaf-like bract. The lip of the lady's slipper is modified into a pouch which
somewhat resembles an inflated slipper, and is much different in appearance from that of other
orchid species.

REVIEWS: "We would like to compliment you on a very informative and
educationally vital collection..." W.R.T., President, Paludiological Society, Clifton Park, N.Y.
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ECOLOGY OF THE PINE BARRENS Order #108...........$42.50

Currently the focus of much controversy between would-be developers and those
who would leave the region unspoiled, the Pine Barrens of New Jersey is a unique
wilderness area surrounded by megalopolis, blessed with a great variety of plant and
animal life and an incredible amount of fresh, pure water--the equivalent of a lake 75 feet
deep and 1,000 square miles in area. Although unique, the Pine Barrens bear many
similarities to the pinelands near Albany, New York, the ridge tops of Eastern Kentucky,
the Atlantic coastal plains and areas of Cape Cod. Numerous plant and animal species,
both common and rare, are presented. 20 slides and detailed guide.

CONTENT SAMPLE: 17674 North America's only marsupial, the opossum (Didelphus
marsupialis), has proven to be quite adaptable and is well-established in the Pine Barrens. Unlike
most wild creatures, it has managed to extend its range and population despite man's continuing
expansion into the countryside and the destruction of wilderness habitat. The opossum has
steadily moved northward and is now found in many areas where it was previously unknown. A
highly opportunistic omnivore, its success is in large part due to its capacity to eat almost
anything: insects, invertebrates, small animals of all kinds, eggs, fruit and garbage. On this kind
of diet it can find a home almost anywhere.

Opossums prefer wooded areas and nest in hollow trees and logs. They climb and
make use of their prehensile tail in doing so. They are largely nocturnal and can often be spotted
on roads at night as they search for food. They have relatively tiny brains and are not very bright.
As many as 20 young are born in a very undeveloped state about two weeks after mating. At
birth they are smaller than a honeybee--it takes 270 to weigh an ounce. At birth these tiny
creatures must make their way into the mother's pouch and attach themselves to one of her 13
teats in order to survive. These that don't make this attachment die immediately. The survivors
grow 10 times larger during the first week, can leave the pouch briefly when five weeks old, and
leave the pouch permanently when eight weeks old.
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~0214-54~ Giant tortoises (Geochelone elephantopus). photo by Charles R. Belinky, Ph.D.

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