Click on the photos to open stories!
Happy Manatee Appreciation Day!
Did you know a full-grown manatee can be 10 feet long and weigh more than 1,000 pounds? But this gentle giant wouldn’t hurt a soul! Check out this video of a manatee mother with her baby: https://rangerrick.org/rr_videos/manateemombaby/ (link in bio)
📷 and video by @carolgrantinsta
#ManateeAppreciationDay #Manatee #Manatees #ManateesofInstagram #ManateeDay #GentleGiant #Wildlife #wildlifephotography
It’s time for #TuesdayTrivia—skunk edition! 🦨 Do you know when a #skunk sprays? (Find the answer below. ⬇️ )
The answer is B! #Skunks spray—but only if they are threatened or startled. Mostly, they want to live a good, simple skunk life: eat, sleep, and have babies. Watch some in action! https://rangerrick.org/rr_videos/skunk-video/ (link in bio)
Notice anything suspicious about this pinkish-purple “parrot”? It has a stem! It’s a blossom of the parrot flower, and it looks amazingly like a parrot in flight. Parrot flowers are rare rainforest plants that bloom for only two months of the year. And when they do, it looks as if a whole flock of parrots is taking flight! https://rangerrick.org/ranger_rick/animal-or-plant/ (link in bio)
#ParrotFlower #ParrotFlowers #RainforestFlower #Rainforestflowers #Rainforestplants #Rainforestplant
When marine iguanas eat, they swallow a lot of salt water. The lizards sneeze to get rid of the salt. Achoo! Watch some in action: https://rangerrick.org/rr_videos/marine-iguana/ (link in bio)
#MarineIguana #MarineIguanas #marineiguanasofgalapagos #Galapagos #GalapagosIslands #galapagoswildlife #FunFactFriday #sneeze
📷 by @tuigalapagos / @minden_pictures
Happy National Puppy Day! 🐶 🐕 🐾 Who remembers this cute snoozing coyote pup from our August 2003 issue of Ranger Rick? #ThrowbackThursday (📷 by Lisa and Mike Husar/ Team Husar Wildlife Photography) #NationalPuppyDay #PuppyDay #CoyotePup #TBT #HappyPuppyDay #coyote #2003
Ranger Rick is hanging out with Chester Chipmunk today!
Chipmunks will eat just about anything. Nuts and seeds are their favorite foods, but they also go for fruit, worms, mushrooms, insects, small frogs, and even bird eggs! Watch some scampering, scurrying chipmunks stuff their cheeks with acorns:
https://rangerrick.org/rr_videos/chipmunks-stuffing-cheeks-acorns/ (link in bio)
#WheresRickWednesday
#RangerRick #Chipmunk #chipmunks #chipmunksofinstagram #Chipmunkeating
♫ ♫ ♫ It`s Spring, Let`s SING! ♫ ♫ ♫
Have you ever wondered what a ground squirrel sounds like? Listen here! https://rangerrick.org/rr_videos/ground-squirrel-sounds/ (link in bio)
#Spring #SpringHasSprung #GroundSquirrel #GroundSquirrels #groundsquirrelsofinstagram #ListenToThis
Ever heard of a laughing kookaburra? This Australian bird makes a call that sounds like a cackling laugh. Listen! https://rangerrick.org/rr_videos/kookaburra_laugh/ (link in bio)
#LetsLaughDay #NationalLetsLaughDay 😂
#kookaburra #Kookaburras #kookaburrasofinstagram #AustralianBird #AustralianBirds #LaughingKookaburra #Laughing
☘️ Are you wearing green today? ☘️ Enjoy these photos of animals that wear green every day of the year! #StPatricksDay
#stpaddysday #Green #greenanimals #GreenWildlife #GreenAnimalsofInstagram #Wildlife #wildlifephotography
It’s National Panda Day! 🐼 Did you know a giant panda has an extra bone on each front paw that acts like a thumb? That gives the panda a great grip and helps it hold the bamboo it loves to eat. Pandas eat bamboo for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!
#NationalPandaDay #PandaDay #Panda #pandas #GiantPanda #GiantPandas #pandasofinstagram #pandaday #bamboo
Happy #LearnAboutButterfliesDay! 🦋 Did you know butterflies can taste with their feet? Flutter over and discover more about butterflies—and how you can welcome them to your yard, too! https://rangerrick.org/crafts_activities/make-a-butterfly-garden/ (link in bio) #Butterflies #Butterfly #butterfliesofinstagram #ButterflyGarden #Butterflygardening
When it comes to fishing, kingfishers are royally awesome! They can snatch their catch in just a few seconds. See for yourself! https://rangerrick.org/rr_videos/watch-a-kingfisher-fish/ (link in bio)
#Kingfisher #Kingfishers #Kingfisherbird #FishingBird #KingfishersofInstagram #WildlifeVideos
Birds aren’t the only animals that make nests! This tiny harvest mouse weaves a nest out of grass. Discover more nifty nests in the latest issue of Ranger Rick Jr.: https://rangerrick.org/ranger_rick_jr/nests-not-just-for-birds/ (link in bio)
#Nests #Nest #nestsofinstagram #HarvestMouse #mousehouse #funfactfriday
Mouse illustration by @ericasirotich
Here’s Ranger Rick`s Marching Song from our very first issue—January 1967!
🎵🎵 “Keep our streams and rivers clean, Keep our forests fresh and green, We’ll be happy so will you, These are all your playgrounds, too!” 🎵🎵
#throwbackthursday #throwback #TBT #vintageartwork #VintageArt #1967 #VintageRangerRick #RangerRick
Happy International Women’s Day! Let’s celebrate by giving a huge shout-out to all the amazing women who work so hard to make our world a better place for wildlife. Meet just a few of them in our latest issue of Ranger Rick: https://rangerrick.org/ranger_rick/women-working-for-wildlife/ (link in bio) #womenshistorymonth #internationalwomensday #Women #womeninscience
Story and 📷 by @suzieszterhas
The amazing women featured in our story are: Patricia Swift at @currumbinwildlifehospital; Cheyne Flanagan at @portmacquariekoalahospital; Laurie Marker of @ccfcheetah; Lo Husan-Yi at @lovetaipeizoo; Francy Sanchez of @proyectotiti; Belinda Mackey of @grevyszebratrust; Isabel Luevano at @intbirdrescue; Ibu Sumi of @orangutan_foundation_intl; and @becky.sloth of @slothconservation
Fun fossil fact: Dinosaurs lived on all seven continents—even Antarctica! 🦕 🦖 If you dig dinos, here’s your chance to “bone up” on these amazing animals: https://rangerrick.org/ranger_rick/dinosaur-trivia/ (link in bio)
Art by @brianwhiteillustration
#Dinosaurs #Dinos #Dinosaur #dinosaursofinstagram #DinosaurTrivia #FunDinoFacts #FossilFacts #Antarctica
Did you know an orangutan spends more time in trees than any other large animal? If you love orangutans, then you’ll go ape over our March issue of Ranger Rick Jr.! Discover more about an orangutan’s life in the rainforest: https://rangerrick.org/ranger_rick_jr/pongos-guide-to-orangutans/ (link in bio) 📷 by @suzieszterhas
#orangutan #orangutans #orangutansofinstagram #GreatApes #wildlifephotography #wildlife
Raptors were meat-eating dinosaurs that walked on two legs. They all had feathers, and they all had one special long claw on each of their feet. They were fast and fierce hunters! Learn more about raptors in our current issue of Ranger Rick Dinosaurs: https://rangerrick.org/dinosaurs/fast-and-fierce/ (link in bio) #Dinos #Dinosaurs #Raptors #dinosaursofinstagram #Dinosaur #Prehistoric #raptorsofinstagram
Congratulations to 12-year-old Karsyn Sterns. She’s a talented, award-winning wildlife photographer—and our latest Scarlett’s Superstar, too! Learn more about Karsyn: https://rangerrick.org/ranger_rick/scarletts-superstars-karsyn-sterns/ (link in bio)
NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS!
Family Nature Summits, the National Wildlife Federation, and the Craig Tufts Educational Scholarship Fund announce the 14th annual essay contest for the Craig Tufts Educational Scholarship Award!
The award recipient (between the ages of 8 and 18) and a parent or guardian will get to attend a week-long summer outdoor adventure camp in the Northwoods region of Minnesota. Applications are due by March 17. Apply and learn about Lucy Pearson—last year’s winner! https://rangerrick.org/ranger_rick/lucy-pearson-shes-a-winner/
(link in bio) @familynaturesummits @nationalwildlife @craigtuftsfund
#NorthwoodsSummit2023 #FamilyNatureSummits #Minnesota #GetOutside #CraigTufts #craigtuftsmemorialfund #craigtuftsfund
Many polar bears have blue tongues. And their fur may look white, but each hair is actually see-through! The skin beneath is black, which absorbs warmth from the sun.
Celebrate International Polar Bear Day today by learning more about these special bears: https://rangerrick.org/ranger_rick/polar-bears-a-life-on-ice/ (link in bio)
#internationalpolarbearday #NationalPolarBearDay #PolarBearDay #PolarBear #PolarBears #PolarBearsofInstagram
Did you know a musk ox grows the longest hair of any animal? Its super-soft underwool is eight times warmer than a sheep’s wool! Chill out with these 40 cool facts about the coldest time of year: https://rangerrick.org/ranger_rick/chill-out/ (link in bio)
#FunFactFriday #Winter #WinterTrivia #MuskOx #MuskOxofInstagram #NatureFacts #Wildilfe #MuskOxen #wildlifephotography #Hair
It`s Throwback Thursday: Baking Edition! 🦝 🍪 Who remembers this recipe for raccoon tail cookies from our September 1988 issue? (Artwork by Alton Langford)
#ThrowbackThursday #ThrowbackThursdays #RangerRick #Raccoon #Raccoons #BakingwithKids #RaccoonCookies #CookieRecipe #1988
Here’s the purr-fect way to celebrate National Pancake Day today. Make a batch of these kitty pancakes. We think they’re the cat’s meow! 🐱🥞🐈
https://rangerrick.org/crafts_activities/cat-pancakes/ (link in bio)
#PancakeDay #NationalPancakeDay #Pancake #Pancakes #pancakesofinstagram #KidRecipes #CookingwithKids #Cats #pancakeday2023
Grab your binoculars—the Great Backyard Bird Count has begun! 🐦 Here`s how you and your family can participate in this annual fun event—and provide helpful information for scientists, too:
https://www.birdcount.org/
(link in bio)
#greatbackyardbirdcount #GBBC #GBBC2023 #BirdCount #Birding #birdsofinstagram #BackyardBirds #BackyardBirding #greatbackyardbirdcount2023
Ever heard of a red-lipped batfish? This odd-looking fish creeps along the sea floor, using its fins as legs. See for yourself! https://rangerrick.org/rr_videos/red-lipped-batfish/ (link in bio)
#Batfish #RedLippedBatfish #WalkingFish #FishVideo #fishofinstagram #fishoftheday
Happy Hippo Day! 🦛
When the sun sets, hungry hippos waddle out of the water to eat grass, leaves, bark, and fruit on land. They eat at night because the sun can dry or burn their skin. But, if they are out of the water during the day, their skin oozes a pink, sticky fluid that is a built-in sunscreen. Learn more: https://rangerrick.org/ranger_rick/hippos/ (link in bio)
#HippoDay #HappyHippoDay #WorldHippoDay #Hippo #Hippos #Hippopotamus #HipposofInstagram
💗 Happy Valentine’s Day! 💗
How does a male Anna’s hummingbird catch a female’s attention? By puffing out his colorful feathers, then twisting his head back and forth. Sunlight makes those colors twinkle and dance!
#ValentinesDay #happyvalentinesday #hummingbird #hummingbirds #hummingbirdsofinstagram #annashummingbird
Did you know a wombat has cube-shaped poop? It drops the cubes on top of logs and rocks so other wombats know it has been there. #NationalPoopDay 💩
#PoopDay #Wombat #Wombats #wombatsofinstagram #poop #WombatFacts
Here’s a bear-y cute craft to make! 🐼 You can store valentine candy and other treasures in this panda jar. ❤️ Get the instructions here:
https://rangerrick.org/crafts_activities/panda-candy-jar/
(link in bio) #Panda #Pandas #GiantPanda #PandaCraft #PandaCrafts #ValentinePanda #pandasofinstagram #ValentineCrafts #ValentineCraft #valentinecraftsforkids #craftsforkids #RecycledCrafts #RecycledCraftsforKids
💖 Share the LOVE with a gift subscription to a Ranger Rick magazine! Get this SWEET DEAL now: https://bit.ly/3X423n7
(link in bio)
Offer ends 2/14! 💖
Happy National Pizza Day! 🍕❤️ Since Valentine`s Day is right around the corner, we thought you`d enjoy this heart-y pizza recipe: https://rangerrick.org/recipe/make-heart-shaped-pizza/ (link in bio)
#PizzaDay #NationalPizzaDay #Pizza #ValentinesDay #HeartPizza #PizzaHeart #KidRecipes
Ever heard of a #binturong? This shaggy mammal from Southeast Asia is also called a #bearcat, but its claim to fame is its unique scent. Its pee smells like buttered popcorn! 🍿 #WildlifeTrivia #WildlifeFacts
Art by @kateslater
After a big meal, the heart of a python may double in size. Why? To pump more blood to help digest the food. Valentine’s Day is a week away—the perfect time to get pumped up about animal hearts! ❤️ Beat your way over to our story: https://rangerrick.org/ranger_rick/animal-hearts/ (link in bio)
#ValentinesDay #Valentine #Python #Hearts #AnimalHearts #HeartsinNature #SnakeofInstagram #Snakes #TuesdayTrivia #TriviaTuesday
The California condor vanished from northern California’s coastal redwood forests more than a century ago. Now, members of the Yurok Tribe are bringing these rare birds back home. Meet Yurok Tribe Wildlife Department Director Tiana Williams-Claussen—and learn more about Prey-go-neesh in this month’s issue of Ranger Rick! https://rangerrick.org/ranger_rick/bringing-back-condors/
(link in bio)
#CaliforniaCondor #CaliforniaCondors #Preygoneesh #Yurok #YurokTribe #Condor #Condors #condorsofinstagram @theyuroktribe
From clicks to whistles to chirps to squeaks, belugas sure have a lot to say. Did you know they can make more than 25 different sounds? Dive in and learn more about these chatty white whales! https://rangerrick.org/ranger_rick/belugas/
(link in bio)
#FunFactFriday #Beluga #Belugas #BelugaWhale
#BelugaWhales
Happy #GroundhogDay!
Fun facts: A groundhog can dig a 12-foot burrow in only a few hours. And when building a full-size burrow, it may clear out 700 pounds of soil! Intrigued? Get more dirt on groundhogs: https://rangerrick.org/ranger_rick/groundhogs/ (link in bio)
#Groundhog #GroundhogDay #groundhogsofinstagram #WhistlePig #groundhogsday #Groundhogs
HAPPY #WRENSDAY!
Besides being musical, most wrens also tend to be nosy and bold. If one is around, you’ll probably know about it! Do any show up in your yard?
Check out this cute Carolina wren. Its song sounds like "tea kettle, tea kettle, tea kettle"! Listen for yourself: https://rangerrick.org/rr_videos/listen-carolina-wrens/
(link in bio)
#wren #wrens #wrensofinstagram #Carolinawren #CarolinaWrens #teakettleteakettleteakettle
Most #geckos have see-through scales over their eyes instead of eyelids. That means they can’t blink to keep their eyes moist or clean. Instead, a gecko just swipes its “windshield-wiper” tongue across its eyes, and it’s good to go! https://rangerrick.org/rr_videos/geckoeyelick/
(link in bio) #TongueOutTuesday #Geckos
#Gecko #geckosofinstagram #GeckoTongue #GeckoVideo
Collision! The biggest news day in Earth’s history ended the reign of the dinosaurs—and many other animals, too. 🦕 🦖 Check out our current issue of Ranger Rick Dinosaurs and get the details on the asteroid that changed everything: https://rangerrick.org/dinosaurs/collision/ (link in bio) #Dinosaur #Dinosaurs #dinosaursofinstagram
NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS!
Family Nature Summits, the National Wildlife Federation, and The Craig Tufts Educational Scholarship Fund announce the 14th annual essay contest for the Craig Tufts Educational Scholarship Award!
The award recipient (between the ages of 8 and 18) and a parent or guardian will get to attend a week-long summer outdoor adventure camp in the Northwoods region of Minnesota. Applications are due by March 17. Apply and learn about Lucy Pearson—last year’s winner! https://rangerrick.org/ranger_rick/lucy-pearson-shes-a-winner/
(link in bio) @familynaturesummits @nationalwildlife @craigtuftsfund
#NorthwoodsSummit2023 #FamilyNatureSummits #Minnesota #GetOutside #CraigTufts #craigtuftsmemorialfund #craigtuftsfund
Did you know that newborn rhinos don’t have horns? 🦏 They start growing them when they are five months old. Discover more fun facts about these African giants: https://rangerrick.org/ranger_rick_jr/rhino-roundup/ (link in bio) 📷 by @suzieszterhas, with rhino images from @lewaconservancy and @olpejeta
#rhinos #rhino #rhinoceros #rhinosofinstagram #wildlifephotography
This spider is putting on a big show! He’s trying to attract a mate with his dance. You can probably guess why he’s named the peacock spider! Check out his moves:
https://rangerrick.org/rr_videos/peacock-spider/
(link in bio)
#Spider #Spiders #spidersofinstagram #PeacockSpider #Peacockspiders #PeacockSpidersofInstagram #SpiderDance #WildlifeVideos #Arachnid #Arachnids
Many animals are still out and about in winter. You should be, too! Here are 10 COOL outdoor activities you can try. Just be sure to bundle up! ❄️ ☃️
https://rangerrick.org/crafts_activities/10-things-to-do-this-winter/ (link in bio)
Art by @brianwhiteillustration
#Winter #WinterFun #WinterActivities #winteractivitiesforkids #WinterOutdoors
Let’s hear it for squirrels—today is National Squirrel Appreciation Day! Go nutty and celebrate with these fun facts and activities: https://rangerrick.org/crafts_activities/lets-hear-it-for-squirrels/ (link in bio)
#Squirrel #Squirrels #SquirrelAppreciationDay #NationalSquirrelAppreciationDay #SquirrelVideo #squirrelsofinstagram #SquirrelDay
Want to see what animals have been doing all year long? Bundle up and take a winter walk this weekend—and keep your eyes up in the trees! Here are some COOL things to look for: https://rangerrick.org/ranger_rick/look-up-go-on-a-winter-walk/ (link in bio) Art by @cleggobots #Winter #NatureinWinter #outdoorFun #WinterWalk #WinterWalks #KidsinNature
You "BETTA” believe we love sharing #ThrowbackThursday memories with you! Who remembers this fin-tastic cover of our September 1987 issue?
(📷 by Dwight Kuhn)
#BettaFish #siamesefightingfish #VintageMagazineCover #RangerRick #Throwback #TBT #fishofinstagram
Did you know a shoebill has a bigger bill than any other kind of bird? Test your knowledge—and learn more fun facts about shoebills—by taking our Kahoot quiz! https://kahoot.it/challenge/007010220 (link in bio) @Kahoot #Shoebill #Shoebills #shoebillsofinstagram #Kahoot #WildlifeTrivia #FunFacts #funfactsoftheday #birdsofinstagram
If you like giant pandas, then you’ll love our February issue of Ranger Rick! 🐼❤️ It’s filled with panda videos and riddles, a sweet panda craft, and a story about two tiny, cuddly cubs. Sneak a peek at our cover! #Panda #Pandas #PandaCubs #GiantPanda #GiantPandas #PandaCub #RangerRick
The best part of our day is when the mail arrives. We enjoy hearing from our readers and seeing all of their wonderful letters and artwork! Here`s a special drawing we recently received. Thanks so much, Ely-Chan—you`re a fantastic artist!