Thursday, February 6, 2014

Knowing Nature

Pop Quiz time!

Take out a piece of paper.

I want you to write the names of 100 species of plants or animals.  One rule:  every plant or animal must be native to the region in which you live.

This means no pets, farm animals, or zoo animals are allowed. 

The plants have to be native plants too.  This means no houseplants, no garden plants, no agricultural crops.

Be specific... What species of oak tree, bat, deer, mouse, etc.?

Can you name 100 species?

Here in Michigan, there are a vast number of species to choose from. 

The Field Manual of Michigan Flora lists over 2,700 species of plants.

The Michigan Audubon Society lists over 350 species of birds on its state checklist.

There are currently 66 species of mammals found in the Michigan.

Fifty-two species of reptiles and amphibians can be found in the state.

The Michigan DNR also lists 153 species of fish.

The insect species in the state number in the thousands.

It seems like it should be easy to name 100 native species, but a majority of people probably can't.  Try it and see.  Let me know if you can name 100 species for your area.

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