Have You Seen Me?

This morning I discovered this little salamander when I went to move the trash can down to be picked up on garbage day. When I rolled the can away I saw the bright orange color and stopped to take a closer look. We had a good rainfall the night before after several days with little moisture. Since I am not familiar with the salamanders of the south eastern states I had to do some research and sought advice on its identity from some herpetologists friends. They believe it is Eurycea lucifuga, the Cave Salamander, AKA: Spotted-tailed Salamander. It’s interesting to know that these two common names are often used to describe other species of salamanders as well. This is why scientists use the universal Latin names of the creatures they identify.

What’s In A Name?

Interestingly the scientific name of this creature reveals a lot about its behavior. Its Latin scientific name is Eurycea lucifuga. The species name “lucifuga” comes from two Latin words: Lucis= light, fuga= flee. In other words these creatures flee from the light. They are nocturnal and will crawl under objects to avoid the light.

Rarely Seen Unless You Go Underground:

I was very fortunate to encounter this interesting creature since they are usually underground in cave systems or outside them only at night. Some spend their whole lives underground moving around in the caves where they live. Others live outside in moist environments where they usually are hiding under rocks and logs and in crevices of outcropping of limestone. Where we live there are several underground Spring systems within the rocky underground. In talking with others who have seen them in our area it was usually after the Spring rains when they were moving rocks or boards on the ground. I find it interesting that there are several creatures we rarely see since they are nocturnal and come out at night. I wonder how many other creatures live in my neighborhood that I have never seen? Think about the advantages of having some creatures active at night while others rule the day. By having this arrangement many creatures can live in the same area sharing the same environment.

Faster Than You Think:

One thing that surprised me about these little guys was the speed at which they can crawl away. When I went to capture this salamander for a closer look it took off in its attempt to get away. While doing research I learned that they have other defensive strategies as well.

Lift That Tail!:

When threatened these salamanders often raise their tails diverting predators line of site. They intentional draw attention away from their heads which is where the majority of attacks come from their enemies. Some of these include birds, small mammals, snakes, lizards, and fish. If this tail – lifting does not work, their enemies may be likely to release their prey once they get a mouthful of noxious fluid secreted from glands in the skin of the salamanders. God has equipped these creatures well for their survival.

Unique Navigation Design:

Think of how hard it would be to move around in an underground cave with little or no light. How do they do it? Scientists have discovered that these creatures actually use the Earth’s magnetic field as a compass to navigate around the caves where they live. Some actually move to different places in the caves according to the changing seasons of the year. They also have ways of finding their mates using chemical pheromones. Pheromones are like perfume released into the air to attract their mates. Each salamander is equipped with organs called Jacobson’s organs. These are very sensitive to even microscopic particles of these substances.

It’s Time To Rub Noses:

One strange behavior witnessed during the mating season of these amphibians is when they first make contact with their potential mates. After the male rubs his nose against the female new pheromones are released which stimulate the mating process to begin. After mating they go the separate ways. The female will eventually return to the underground streams where she will lay her eggs on the bottom of the stream bed. Sometimes the eggs are laid singly and other times in small clusters. Scientists still have a lot to learn about their life stories.

Metamorphosis:

As you have probably learned in your science classes, the amphibians are the only vertebrate animals that undergo metamorphosis, the changes in form from birth to adulthood. Like frogs, salamanders also go through change. The newly hatched young have gills and often are completely different in color and shape from the adults. In this stage of their lives they feed on microscopic crustaceans and insect larvae, especially the larvae of flies and mosquitos and other Diptera species. Just think how many more annoying mosquito bites we would face if these little guys were not on duty! After anywhere from 6 to 18 months the young change into their adult stage. Being larger and able to move around out of the water allows the salamanders to widen their diets. As adults they eat arachnids like spiders, ticks, and mites. They also chow down on many kinds of insects and crustaceans. They also like worms.

Beneficial Indicator Species:

If you find frogs and salamanders in the areas where you live it is a good sign of the water quality. Since amphibians have moist skin they absorb what ever chemicals are in the water. If you start seeing fewer amphibians you should take notice. This may be an indicator of potentially harmful substances like pesticides and toxic chemical waste substances in our streams, lakes and rivers. It is important for all of us to be careful in disposing of wastes so they do not end up in our water supply. Many laws have been established to prevent this from happening, but each one of us is a steward of the environment in which we live. As a Christian who believes God created the world in which we live, I take the Biblical dominion mandate to heart. God created man as the caretaker of His creation and made us responsible for how we take care for what He has given us. It’s a big responsibility in which the small things we do each day can insure the continuance of the beautiful world in which we live.

Think of the Bigger Picture:

As you explore your surroundings keep an eye out for things you have never noticed before. There are so many wonderful creatures in God’s creation. As you see new things, think of the bigger picture. Someone had to design each creature for where it would fit into the scheme of things. Each has a purpose that affects all the others. Just like God has a purpose for the salamander He has a bigger purpose for your life. Take a little time to consider what the Bible reveals about this plan. It will make your life more meaningful as well as open the door to everlasting life with the One who crested you.

Unusual Pets:

In the picture above you see my grandsons and I holding these calm friendly creatures.

Don’t Have a Hissy Fit:

What is the strangest pet you have ever had? One of mine was the Madagascar Hissing Cockroach. I actually had three of them for a couple years when I lived in California. I was able to pass them on to one of my students when we moved to Tennessee.

That Sounds Creepy!

Many people are creeped out by cockroaches, especially if they have had an infestation of the ones commonly found in the United States. If you find these in your house, you better call the exterminator! They can be very destructive and smelly. If they were to show up in your restaurant or hotel it might force a shut down until they were removed. Fortunately the Madagascar variety will not infest tour house or cause damage.

Movie Stars:

Since so many people are afraid of cockroaches, many movies include them to produce creepy special effects to catch your attention. You may have seen them in Men In Black as well as in shows like Fear Factor where a contestant is placed in a room with hundreds of these creatures which crawl over them creating a fearful looking stunt. Some shows even dare a contestant to eat them.

Really, Nothing to Fear!:

So why do the call them “Hissing” Cockroaches? These large insects are the only known insects to actually produce a Hissing sound by expelling air through their spiracles (tiny respiratory openings on the sides of their bodies). Three different kinds of hisses are produced by these Arthropods. One hiss is to scare away and startle enemies that get too close. Another hiss, produced by the males, attracts females. And a third hiss is the call to battle when two males encounter one another. As someone has said, “Their bark is worse than their bite”. As scary as this sounds, there is nothing to worry about (unless you are a cockroach). These insects are harmless to man and make excellent pets.

Low Maintenance:

If you want a pet that is not demanding constant attention, these guys are the ones you want. You will need a terrarium (fish tanks with a screened top work well), with a place to hide. Since these creatures are great climbers some people put a few inches of Petroleum Jelly around the top of their containers to prevent the creatures from escaping their enclosures. Though they are great climbers, they do not fly like other types of cockroaches. These ones are wingless. They do require a warm environment. If it is too cold their bodies shut down and they could die, so some people have a artificial heat source to keep their housing warm, though most of our homes stay at a reasonably stable temperature at or near 70 degrees. In their natural environment, in Madagascar, they live on an island just off the coast of South Africa.

These insects are a favorite pet for kids as well as adults. They are often featured at zoos and science centers where kids can handle them and learn more about insect behavior.

So What Do They Eat?

These insects remind you to eat your veggies. They are vegetarians and love to eat small portions of fresh vegetables as fruit. You can also get special pellets from your pet store that provide needed nutrients for their development. Some people feed them the same dry pellets they feed their dogs. You should have a small shallow source of water as well.

My cockroaches rarely hissed unless they were startled. They seemed to enjoy crawling around on our fingers.

Other Interesting Facts:

These guys have a life span of from 2 to 5 years.

About 99% of cockroach species are not pests and do not infest human habitats.

Cockroaches provide food for other organisms as well as help keep the environment clean by removing dropped fruit and leaves.

Cockroaches were created by God with a purpose.

The Scientific name of the Madagascar Hissing Cockroach is Gromphadorhina portentous.

These roaches are 2-3 inches long when they mature.

The male Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches have horns called “pronotum” as well as thicker hairier antennae than the females.

Cockroaches go through incomplete metamorphosis after emerging from their mothers as nymphs. They undergo many skin shedding (Molting) when they progress in size.

Mothers actually stay close by their young when they start their lives.

These roaches actually have companions that often live with them throughout their lives. These tiny mites (Gromphadorholaelaps schaeferi) are unique to the Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches and live in a commensal relationship with these insects and help clean the surface of their bodies while feeding on the mold that often grows on the Cockroach due to its moist environment. By removing the mold it extends the roaches life span. Both creatures benefit from this relationship.

Some states, like Florida, require a special permit for you to keep these creatures as pets, though most states do not.

Some people raise and sell Cockroaches to be used as food for reptiles.

You can often purchase a mated pair of Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches for around $12.

I got my cockroaches at a Reptile show in Sacramento where they were displayed along with many snakes and lizards. Some people were purchasing them for food for their pets while others wanted them to keep as pets.

Consider This:

The more I study God’s amazing creation the more I appreciate His care in design. Every creature has a purpose and place within the larger scheme of order. I believe He desires all mankind to look closer at His creation and consider His plan for our lives as well. Did you know He created all of these things for us to enjoy? Many times we fear things in creation that we don’t understand. By taking the time to observe carefully and do a little research we can overcome our fears and appreciate seeing a larger perspective of our place in the plan He has for our lives.

Special Note:

My grandsons are much older now than when these pictures were taken about six years ago. You may see these same kids in many of my other blogs. We enjoy exploring God’s creation together whenever we have the opportunity.

One of my favorite Fall blooming flowers here in Tennessee had been a mystery to me. I finally decided to look for an answer to its identity. After looking at about 50 pictures of flowering blue to purple native plants I finally found an answer. It is the Blue Mist Flower.

What’s In A Name?

To be more exact, the scientific name is Eupatorium coelestinum. The Latin genus name means “coned-shaped, nodding Flowers” while the species name means “sky blue”. It also goes by many other common names like: Wild Blue Ageratum, (though it is in another family than the Ageratums), Break-bone, Blue Bonset, and many others.

A Butterfly and Bee Favorite:

One thing you will notice quickly when these flowers start to bloom in late Summer and early Fall is the many kinds of insects that feed on this plant. You will see lots of different kinds of butterflies, bees, moths, beetles, and flies landing on the flower tops gathering nectar. For this reason they are often planted in Butterfly gardens by those who love to watch their Lepidoptera friends.

Often Comes in Multiple Colors:

It’s interesting to note all the variations you can find in the coloring of the flowers on these plants. Some times they are bright blue. Other times they are more purplish in color and they even come in white. I found it interesting that on some plants you could find all three colors.

Some Identifying Characteristics:

Blue Mist Flowers can be planted by seed but more often a gardener may find rhizome root cuttings to get a quicker result. As the plants grow and spread their underground root system insures they will be ready to spring up and flower in the years to come since they are Perennial plants. They usually grow up in large clumps of closely spaced stalks. They have opposite triangular leaves and usually grow to 1-4 ft. in height. They have composite flowers like other members of the sunflower family. The flowers almost look fuzzy when viewed in their flower heads. They have multiple, long, skinny petals. The flowering heads often tend to droop as they mature. When the leaves are crushed they smell similar to tomato vines.

Water Lovers:

You will often find these flowers growing anywhere where there is an abundance of water, like along ditches, creeks, rivers, lakes, low moist meadows, roadsides, and fence-lines. It is also interesting to note how important these plants are in preventing erosion from the water that runs over the surface on its way downhill. Their root system nets through the soft soil holding it in place.

Found to Be Useful in Many Other Ways:

While reading many different articles about these plants I found that they have been used medicinally for hundreds of years. Native Americans and early settlers used the crushed leaves to prevent ticks and mosquitoes from biting. They also used the essential oils to treat sore throats, coughing and skin conditions. One of their common names, Bone-break, comes from their use in treatment of broken bones. It seems that this plant’s rich antioxidants promote calcium production helping bones heal and become stronger more quickly. The oils from these plants have been used as an insecticide to prevent damage from nematodes in the soil that cause crop damage as well as being used in grain storage areas to prevent pests that can destroy the crops. It also kills and repels many kinds of mites and spiders.

It is important to note, however, that any medicinal use of these plants be guided by doctors and scientists that have tested these measures.

Some people are allergic to the pollen and oils of these plants. It is best to leave it to the experts to find new applications to the use of these plants. It’s interesting to note that the oils from these plants are often used in cosmetics for their antioxidants when mixed with other ingredients.

Often Used In Flowering Arrangements:

Since these flowers bloom in the Fall when many other types of flowers are scarce, you will often find them mixed in flower arrangements to add a little color and texture. Since they have long stalks they can easily be added to add height to and arrangement.

Thinking of Flowers:

While learning so many interesting things about these flowers God created, I was also reminded of the promise in Matthew 6: 25-34. How important it is to let God remind us through his creation of his love, care and purpose for us.

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you- you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat? Or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after these things, and your Heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” NIV

Don’t be fooled!

Since moving from California, I have been having to learn a lot about the living creatures here in the south-eastern part of the United States. One thing that I have noticed is that the varieties of mushrooms are much different than those I was familiar with in the west. One of my favorite mushrooms when we lived in Sacramento could be found growing in the grass at the neighborhood park. It was the Shaggy Mane. It was delicious when fried in butter with some onions. I felt very confident that I could identify it and not confuse it with other types of fungi.

My California Favorite:

Now let’s compare with another Mushroom:

Here in Tennessee, where we currently live, there is another Mushroom variety that looks similar when it first emerges from the ground. Both this Mushroom and the Shaggy Mane often appear above ground almost magically after the Spring, Summer, and Fall rains. But don’t let that behavior fool you. This Mushroom is the most frequently eaten poisonous mushroom in North America. It’s scientific name is Chlorophyllum molybdites.

AKA’s

It also goes by these common names: “False Parasol“, “Green-Spored Lepiota“, and the “Vomiter.” Guess what? It is called that for a very good reason.

Below you see the top of the caps of the Vomiter:

In the picture below you see the gills on the underside of the cap.

Some Things Seem To Look Really Edible…but :

It is interesting to note that those who have carelessly eaten this Mushroom found it tasty going down. It was a couple hours later that they knew that had made a terrible mistake. The symptoms of the poisonous effects include: severe gastrointestinal pain, sweating, weakness, diarrhea, and vomiting. Some who have eaten them actually vomit up to 20-30 times in two hours! That would be no fun!

How Can You Be Sure?:

The most difficult time to tell the two types of mushrooms apart is when they first emerge from the ground. As the Mushroom fruiting bodies continue to grow it is rather easy to see the differences. The “Vomiter” (Chlorophyllum molybdites ) opens up like an umbrella into a large circle. The Shaggy Mane remains like a closed umbrella, tall and skinny and begins to dissolve into an inky liquid from the bottom edges of the cap. The gills of Vomiter turn from white to a greenish-gray color.

In This Case, Green Doesn’t Mean “Go”!

Mycologists, scientists who study mushrooms, have learned that the best way to identify mushrooms is by making a spore print and checking the color of the image the spores leave on a piece of paper as they drop from the bottom side of the cap from the gills.

To make a spore print you should remove the stem of the Mushroom and place the cap, gill-side down on a piece of white paper. Put a jar or other cover over the cap to keep it moist within which activates the spores to fall from the gills. Though an individual spore can not be seen with the naked eye, when they fall on the paper by the thousands they create a image that is very visible. Different kinds of mushrooms have different colors of spores that help in identification. You can also use a microscope to look more closely at the spores. Spores vary a lot in size and shape as well as color. If your spore print is green, Stop! Don’t eat it! Chlorophyllum molybdites is the only Mushroom in North America with green spores. The Shaggy Mane has dark black spores. If you look at the spores of the Vomiter under a microscope with high magnification, the spores will look like lemon seeds in shape with a greenish color.

Making a Spore Print:

Separate the cap from the stem and place the gill side down on the paper.

Cover the caps with a bowl to keep the moisture and the spores inside.

Check the Ring Around the Stem.

The annulus, the ring around the stem of the Vomiter can easily be moved up and down the stem when moved with your fingers.

Fairy Rings: Have the Fairies Danced Here?

In the above picture you can see part of a circle of these mushrooms. Amazingly, these mushrooms often pop up over night making it seem almost magical. In the past, the superstitious thought that it was magic, that fairies had danced there the night before they appeared. How else could they be there? Well, the part of the fungus we call the Mushroom is actually the reproductive part of the creature. These fruiting bodies only appear when the conditions are right for spore dispersal. Under the surface of the ground is the actual creature. It will look like tiny strands of hair, (mycelium), with an appearance much like cotton. When the conditions are right, tiny nodules called primordial, which look like tiny balloons, will appear upon the strands. These absorb water and swell up by turbo pressure (water pressure). It would be as if you buried a balloon under the soil and then blew it up. It is marvelous to see the power of turbo pressure in Mushroom development. Though mushrooms seem so fragile they are able to penetrate the soil as they emerge for spore dispersal. You see them first above ground in the button stage. They then open up like an umbrella to expose the gills beneath to release their spores.

Recycling the Nutrients:

The fruiting bodies of most gilled mushrooms are short lived. Once they have done their job of releasing spores, they deteriorate and return to the soil. You can see this in the earlier picture in the post. Often the nutrients from their breakdown are reabsorbed by the mycelium underground to be used again in growth of the organism.

Who Created These Creatures?

One of the most basic questions asked by mankind is, “Where did all the creatures we observe around us come? ” Those who have read the Bible find the answer right away in the first chapter of the Book of Genesis. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” We also find this truth in the Book of Colossians: “For by Him (Jesus Christ) all things were created, in heaven and on earth” . As a believer myself, I believe that this is true and I find more and more evidence of this fact through my study of His creation.

The Big Question of Origins:

So “Why, you may ask, did He create poisonous organisms that could be harmful to man? You can find that answer in the first few chapters of the Bible and throughout the whole 66 Books therein. It was man’s sin that led to the curse of nature. Because man disobeyed God’s command this has happened. Fortunately, God has given mankind the ability to observe what He has created and draw conclusion that can help us learn to avoid the dangers around us. Every creature was created for a purpose and some of those most feared by man offer many blessings to us. Just consider the bees. They possess stingers which are very painful if you do not respect these insects. So how many ways do these same bees help us! They pollinate our crops and produce honey. They provide food for many other creatures as well as many other benefits. The mushrooms that are harmful to us when eaten also produce benefits. Many other creatures can eat them with no harmful effects. Mushrooms help breakdown dead and decaying animal and plant material and recycle it into the soil to be used again by other organisms. *There are many other ways they are helpful that you can learn through research and observation.

I hope you will take some time to carefully examine all the creatures around you. How many ways do they benefit us? “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” Why not take some time to thank Him for His gifts to mankind. If you do not know Him as Savior and LORD, He offers to take away the barrier between God and man through believing on Jesus Christ and His work on the cross to pay the debt we owe for our sins. You can be a child of God too. It makes a world of difference in how we view creation and our ability to understand His purposes for our lives.

*Why not do some more research?:

If you find these mushrooms interesting you can discover a lot more about them by doing some research. I had help in the identification of these mushrooms when I posted pictures of them on the Mushroom Identification Page and had mycologists from around the world identify them for me. I also Googled the scientific name and found many articles about them. You can also find many books in the library about mushrooms and their identification.