4-Hers learn about animals
4-Hers learn about animals Posted: Thursday, February 25, 2010 9:10 pm
UT Extension Agent 4-Hers across Obion County have discovered a variety of ways they can learn from animals. During their January 4-H club meetings, the students learned about the snowy owl and how he stockpiles food in the event he is unable to hunt the next day. They received special visitors for their February meetings, including park ranger Tara Dowdy of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Obion County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Michael Simmons. Mrs. Dowdy taught the 4-Hers about the obstacles birds must overcome in order to survive migration. She talked to them about animals which are currently undergoing rehabilitation at the wildlife refuge at Reelfoot Lake and introduced them to a red-tailed hawk, a great horned owl, a screech owl and a corn snake. The 4-Hers had the opportunity to mimic the sounds of different owls and some even got an up-close view of where a snake’s tail begins on its body. Mrs. Dowdy listed interesting facts about each animal, such as the fact than an owl can turn its head 270 degrees, giving it an almost 360 degree view. She said owls have discs that allow them to pinpoint the location of smaller mammals hidden under leaves or brush. She told the 4-Hers that the red-tailed hawk has a flight speed of between 20 and 40 miles per hour, but can dive at up to 120 miles per hour when trying to catch food. She told them most hawks they see are red-tailed hawks, but juveniles don’t have their red tails. Mrs. Dowdy also taught 4-Hers how to identify a snake as poisonous or non-poisonous. As an example, she asked them if the person sitting next to them bit them, would they inject a poison into their skin. Of course, the answer is no. Mrs. Dowdy said that’s a good way to remember that a snake with round pupils, like those of humans, is not poisonous. Snakes which have eyes like a cat are poisonous, she added. She told the students snakes don’t have ears and can’t hear them if they scream. Snakes know when things or people are near them because they can feel the vibrations. Deputy Simmons works with Theo, a 5-year-old yellow Labrador retriever. He demonstrated how Theo helps the sheriff’s department during investigations. Deputy Simmons said Theo is very helpful during vehicle stops and house searches, finding hiding spots that human officers do not see. He also answered a variety of questions from 4-Hers, including the ways Theo is rewarded for a job well done. Published in The Messenger 2.25.10
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