I am writing a new song about the Little Pocket MouseCategory: Animal Songs Published: Friday, February 26, 2010
The above photo is of a Little Pocket Mouse. I am currently writing a new animal song for kids about this very cute and rare rodent. The Pacific Pocket Mouse, a subspecies of the Little Pocket Mouse, is on the U.S. Endangered Species List. It is classified as an endangered animal in California. This coastal-dweller dropped in number as houses overtook its habitat. For about 20 years it was assumed to be extinct, but a single population of fewer than 40 mice was discovered in 1993. Pacific Pocket Mice are actually one of the most endangered species in the entire North American continent, and interesting because they are also one of the smallest rodent species in the world. I first learned about the Little Pocket Mouse when I went on a hike in San Onofre State Beach in San Clemente, California. There I learned that the Pacific Pocket Mouse was a hero of sorts, because it's endangered status is one of the key things that kept a new toll road from being built right through its habitat in San Onofre State Beach. When an animal has been declared endangered, wildlife protection laws usually also protect their habitat, and it very difficult to get approval to build on that habitat or put a road through it. San Onofre is a very beautiful park and many people believe that the Little Pacific Pocket Mouse saved this park from being nearly destroyed! Whenever I write an new animal song for kids, I first learn as much as I can about the animal. Here are some of the facts I've learned about the Little Pocket Mouse: --The little pocket mouse is, indeed, a small mouse. Total length is about 4 inches to 6 inches (110-151 mm) and their tail length is just over 2 to 3 inches (53-86 mm). They each weigh about 1/4 ounce. --They are soft-furred and their colors vary. Their upper body is grayish yellow or light brown, interspersed with black hairs that vary from paler to darker, depending on the color of soil they live in. Their underparts are pale brown, brownish, or white. Their tail is uniformly pale brownish. They have 2 small white patches at base of ears. -- They live in the ground, and burrow deeper into the soil to escape extremes of heat or cold. These tiny mice mostly eat seeds, some insects, grass, and leaves, though they are so small that they cannot maintain their energy unless they eat constantly while they are active. They store their extra food in fur-lined external cheek pouches. I am still writing my Little Pocket Mouse song and look forward to adding it to my collection of animal songs for kids. Here's a verse I've written so far: "Pocket mouse Oh, where's your house? It's underground Where I can not be found Oh no, no, no. Stay tuned for the rest of the song in a future blog. -Birdsong (of Birdsong and the Eco-Wonders )
Be the first to share your Comments...
Post a CommentOther Recent ArticlesInteresting Facts and Photos about SharksCategory: Animal Songs- Ocean Published: Saturday, June 12, 2010 Whenever I write a new animal song for kids, I try to learn as much about the animal as I can. I first thought about writing a kids' song about sharks after visiting an aquarium and seeing these fascinating creatures up close. I could not fit all the things I learned about sharks into one song, so I have included a list of fun facts about sharks below, as well as some photos. Interesting Facts about the fascinating sharks: -There are about 350 different types of sharks, but researchers think there are other sharks that haven't been discovered yet! -The dwarf shark is as small as your hand, while the whale shark can be as large as a school bus! -A shark is one of the best hunters in the world. Even their little pups go out looking for food. -A shark's hunger can be satisfied with one good meal. The meal can last a long time because a shark uses little energy to swim. Some sharks hold food in their stomachs without it being digested. If they eat a big meal, it can last three or more months! Interesting Facts and Photos about SharksCategory: Animal Facts and Photos Published: Tuesday, June 08, 2010 Whenever I write a new animal song for kids, I try to learn as much about the animal as I can. I first thought about writing a kids' song about sharks after visiting an aquarium and seeing these fascinating creatures up close. I could not fit all the things I learned about sharks into one song, so I have included a list of fun facts about sharks below, as well as some photos. Interesting Facts about the fascinating sharks: -There are about 350 different types of sharks, but researchers think there are other sharks that haven't been discovered yet! -The dwarf shark is as small as your hand, while the whale shark can be as large as a school bus! -A shark is one of the best hunters in the world. Even their little pups go out looking for food. -A shark's hunger can be satisfied with one good meal. The meal can last a long time because a shark uses little energy to swim. Some sharks hold food in their stomachs without it being digested. If they eat a big meal, it can last three or more months! Watch our music video KEEP THE OCEAN CLEANCategory: Animal Song Videos Published: Friday, May 07, 2010 I asked my friends, the dolphins, what each of us could do to help them survive another million years or two. And the dolphins said: “Keep the ocean clean! That’s the most important thing.Please . . .Pick your trash up off the beach. Recycle 'most everything.. Find out what pollutes the sea. And ask your friends to help keep the ocean clean. After all, the ocean is our home,” We now have a Kelp Forest Coloring Book on our website, courtesy of Coast Cartoon Studio. CLICK HERE to go to our website for a free download of these fun, educational coloring pages. Have you ever seen a forest dancing Like a kelp forest dances in the sea? Dancing to the rhythm of the ocean A fancy dancing forest of seaweed. Slow dancing, swaying to the rhythm Hold fast to the bottom, and reach for the sun. Slow kelp dancing, swaying to the rhythm Hold fast to the bottom, and reach for the sun. Well, kelp is a kind of seaweed That holds onto a rock on the ocean floor ... Listen to our Little Pocket Mouse song-in-progressCategory: Animal Songs Published: Saturday, April 10, 2010 I’m small and furry, watch me scurry! It's the middle of the night and I'm in a hurry To gather seeds I like to eat. And store those seeds inside my cheeks. I'm a little pocket mouse. And when the sun begins to rise, I find my tunnel and I crawl inside. And there I hide the food I found And rest all day 'til the sun goes down. I'm a little pocket mouse. CHORUS: Pocket mouse, oh where's your house? It's underground where I cannot be found. Oh no, no, no! (no, no) I'm a mouse who likes my privacy, So it came as a surprise to me To learn I was hero in the rodent family! It started in 1972 On a spaceship that went around moon. Of all the animals smart and strong Who did the astronauts take along? It was the Little Pocket Mouse! With lots of food in their big cheek pockets, Five little mice boarded that rocket Didn't know much about outer space, but they were glad to help the human race That little pocket mouse! CHORUS: Pocket mouse, oh where's your house? It's underground where I cannot be found. Oh no, no, no! (no, no) I'm a mouse who likes my privacy, So it came as a surprise to me To learn I was hero in the rodent family! 
 Call Us: (949) 497-8531 or
 Categories
Blog Roll & Resources
|
