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Ocean Wild Things

California Spiny Lobster: fully-armored all-terrain vehicle

October 8, 2009 by Carolyn Kraft 4 Comments

There he was, the California Spiny Lobster, and I swear he was staring at me. No matter which way I walked those black beady eyes followed me, he was the Crustacean Mona Lisa, only better. His long antennae wavered about feeling the water acting as sensors. But the most impressive characteristic of this particular lobster… [read more]

Filed Under: Easy Reader columns, Lobster, shrimp, crab(s) Tagged With: crustacean, lobster, molting, sex

Hummingbird is Superbird

October 6, 2009 by Carolyn Kraft 1 Comment

The last thing I expected to see while walking into my yoga class was a hummingbird. Even though hummingbirds are so tiny, she stuck out like a sore thumb perched on a bright-yellow pipe running along an equally bright yellow-brick wall. It was thrilling to see a hummingbird so close, but terrible as soon as… [read more]

Filed Under: Birds, Easy Reader columns Tagged With: bird, rescue, sex, tongue

California Sea Lions: size doesn’t always matter

September 29, 2009 by Carolyn Kraft 2 Comments

Imagine the challenges of dating someone four times your size, especially during the intimate times. This is the reality of a female California sea lion. Well-known residents of the South Bay, California sea lions, officially named Zalophus californianus, are frequently seen swimming near shore, chasing fish or lounging on buoys. But what goes on behind… [read more]

Filed Under: Easy Reader columns, Marine mammals, Seals, sea lions Tagged With: body language, courtship, pinniped, sea lion, sex, sexual dimorphism

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