Facts on: The African Elephant

When you think elephant, you probably think trunk.

 An adult African elephant's trunk is about seven feet two meter long! It's actually an elongated nose and upper lip. Like most noses, trunks are for smelling. But they're also for touching and grasping.

When an elephant drinks, it sucks as much as 7.5 liters of water into its trunk at a time. Then it curls its trunk under, sticks the tip of its trunk into its mouth, and blows. Out comes the water, right down the elephant's throat.

Since African elephants live where the sun is usually blazing hot, they use their trunks to help them keep cool. First they squirt a trunkful of cool water over their bodies. Then they often follow that with a sprinkling of dust to create a protective layer of dirt on their skin (think elephant sunscreen!). Elephants pick up and spray dust the same way they do water—with their trunks.

Elephants also use their trunks as snorkels when they wade in deep water. An elephant's trunk is controlled by many muscles. Two fingerlike parts on the tip of the trunk allow the elephant to perform delicate maneuvers such as picking a berry from the ground or plucking a single leaf off a tree.

The elephant can also use its trunk to grasp an entire tree branch and pull it down to its mouth. Elephants also use their trunks to grab clumps of grass and shove the greenery into their mouths. When an elephant gets a whiff of something interesting, it sniffs the air with its trunk raised up like a submarine periscope.

If threatened, an elephant will also use its trunk to make loud trumpeting noises as a warning. Elephants are social creatures. They sometimes hug by wrapping their trunks together in displays of greeting and affection.

Is Shale Gas the answer

 

Is Shale Gas the answer?

 

Shale gasses are natural gasses that are formed due to being trapped within shale formations. Shale is finely grained clastic sedimentary rock which is composed of mud formed by flakes of clay and tiny bits of other minerals (Quartz & Calcite).

 

Shale gas is seen as the worlds next big power source that could help South Africa with its dependency on electricity production. The US Energy information administration believes that 485 – trillion cubic ft of gas lies approximately 4km below the surface of the Karoo.

It is said that a lot more information and proof is needed before any exploration may proceed but as soon as they receive positive feedback all five of the companies that have applied in 2010 will be granted the permits, while working with interest groups like Square Kilometer Array Radio Telescope to ensure no negative impacts will occur that cannot be managed.

These companies that have applied for the rights will receive permission to go ahead with hydraulic fracturing. Hydraulic fracturing is the increase of fractures in a rock layer that is caused by pressurized fluid. By giving these companies the “go ahead” we can great a greener environment and make the dreams of gas-fired power a reality. Shale gas has a much lower carbon emission making it much cheaper and friendlier to the environment but could take up to 9 years to process.

Shale gas requires a lot of scarce skills from all around and a lot of deep drilling in order to extract it which could make shale gas uncompetitive.

Sasol has decided to build their own gas-fired plant and are in the final stages of constructing a 140MW gas-fired plant which will be supplied with gas from Mozambique. This will create a market and put a limit on the prices for gas unfortunately with this head start it could make it much harder for shale gas to compete.  

  

The question is “ Will shale gas be the answer to our problems?”

Facts about Forests | Environmental Education

It is said that crocodiles and alligators snouts are even more touch-sensitive than a human fingertip.

They have tiny raised black spots/domes on their heads, mostly along the jaw, inside their mouths and between their teeth.

“Croc dots” can detect ripples from even a single drop of water. These domes are what the mothers use to sense the babies when helping them out of their shells.

Crocodiles have a longer more “V” shaped head and have these little black bumps all over their bodies Alligators have a more rounded ”U” shaped head and only have these little black bumps on their snouts.

Did you know that a crocodile is more aggressive than an alligator and their fourth tooth sticks out when they close their mouths?

Crocodiles & Alligators have a pouch in their throats (gular) which can block water and allow them to eat under water.

Alligators & Crocodiles are one of the oldest & most successful predators.

Researchers found a skull of one of the largest crocodiles which was discovered in Texas, it measured over 2m in length.

Based on its skull the Deinosuchus/ “terrible crocodile” was an enormous creature that according to researchers measured up to 15m in length and was large enough to eat most dinosaurs.

 

*How to help your child belong*

A lot of parents often wonder if their child is coping out in the social

world and often fear that their child will become the victim of a bully or

just be the “outsider” that sits alone during lunch time.



Here are a few tips parents can use to help their child build the

confidence needed to make friends and be happy at school amongst others.







*How to help your child belong*



- A consistent and positive atmosphere at home is needed to keep

your child feeling nurtured and supported by their family at all times



- Social engagement can be encouraged by teaching your child

respect and good manners.



- Praise and encouragement helps build your Child's confidence and

confidence helps your child make friends and feel good about their selves



- It helps if you teach you child good conversation skills like to

listen without interrupting and you can do so by developing your Child's

empathy by asking “ how would you feel if…”



- Practice these social skills with roll play or simply by playing

with dolls.



- Sport is another way to get your child to make friends and build

up good social skills



- Remind your child that having friends is all about respect,

compassion and face to face time with your friend and not just about adding

them on facebook or Mxit.



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*Thanking you*

*

*

*Ronel Harris*

*Director*

*Outdoor Education Africa*

*Tel             011 768 5934      *

*Fax             011 764 5084      *

*            082 555 5746      *