World-famous scientist, ecologist and author Aldo Leopold was once a kid — just like you! Explore Leopold’s childhood, his interests, and learn what he discovered about reading clues in the landscape. Then try your new found skills out on the Aldo Leopold Nature Center trails!
Aldo Leopold as a Boy: Exploring the Mysteries of the Land
The After-School Nature Club students met our new educational pests… we mean pets! ![]()
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The Madagascar Hissing Cockroach (Gromphadorhina portentosa) is a large, wingless insect with a flat, oval body, that is encased in a shiny brown exoskeleton that is hard, waxy, and quite thick. This species of cockroach is native to the island of Madagascar and lives on the floor of lowland rainforests.![]()
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At first, the Nature Club students had dubitative facial expressions when they met our new, exotic, atypical pets. But, Ms. Shaina introduced them with such passion that the children quickly warmed up to meeting these new friends and even touched their waxy abdomens! ![]()
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Ms. Shaina pointed out the small black dots on the abdomen. These dots are small breathing holes called spiracles that are used to make a hissing sound by forcefully pushing air through them. This sound is used for communication as well as a defense mechanism. During the demonstration the children even got to hear the hissing sound, leading to excitement and curiosity! ![]()
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Also, you might think that these cockroaches look like "living fossils," this is because these insects are very similar to the prehistoric cockroaches that lived on Earth before the dinosaurs!![]()
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Photos: Stephanie Briand, Aldo Leopold Nature Center![]()
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