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 Critter Highlight - Red-eared Slider (Trachemys scripta elagans)
The red-eared slider is a semiaquatic turtle. It belongs to the family Emydidae. It is the most popular pet turtle in the United States.
They typically live between 20 and 30 years, although some individuals have lived for more than 40 years.
The red stripe on each side of the head distinguishes the red-eared slider from all other North American species and gives this species its name, as the stripe is located behind the eyes where their (external) ears would be.
Red-eared Slider Facts:
- The turtle can completely retract its head and extremities inside its shell if it feels threatened. (or if it just wants some alone time!)
- A female can lay between two and 30 eggs, depending on body size and other factors. One female can lay up to five clutches in the same year, and clutches are usually spaced 12 to 36 days apart. The time between mating and egg laying can be days or weeks.
- Red-eared sliders do not hibernate, but actually brumate. This means that their body functions slow way down during winter or extended periods of low temperature.
These little critters are available to order through the Living Science Material Center Co-op page to help enhance teaching activities, or even just to have as a temporary visiting classroom pet.
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 Elodea Densa
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This month's spotlight is on Elodea Densa
Elodea densa, also known as Anacharis or waterweed, is a bright green aquatic plant. It's an excellent aquarium oxygenator, which means that it releases oxygen or air into the water.
It is also great for teaching plant respiration, photosynthesis, and plasmolysis. Elodea plants are easy to grow in aquariums because they are hardy, adaptive plants and can survive under a variety of poor conditions including low light, and a variety of deep and shallow bodies of water.
Interesting facts about Elodea:
- "Elodea" became a genus of aquatic plants in 1803.
- Elodea plants are native to North and South America.
- The stems of elodea plants can grow up to 2 feet long.
- If you chop up an elodea plant, each smaller segment will continue growing into a new elodea plant.
- Elodea is a freshwater plant.
- Elodea plants can be found in ponds and slow-moving streams.
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About Living Science
Our goal is to positively impact student learning through high quality materials & customer service.
For PUBLIC and PRIVATE/CHARTER school districts that have joined our CO-OP PROGRAM, the Living Science Center provides a variety of materials such as living organisms and non-living items giving teachers the ability to integrate into their lessons creating a fun, hands-on learning experience for students.
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Living Science Shade House & Greenhouse
The Living Science Shade House is located behind building 2. The focal point of the Shade House is the Turtle Pond which is the home to over 40 Red Slider Turtles. These turtles are checked out on a 2 week basis to those schools which are members of our CO-OP PROGRAM.
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Next to the Turtle Pond is the Greenhouse. Here we house various plants which we provide to our clients. They include Geraniums, Begonias, and two varieties of Coleus.
Available Materials
 Orders must be placed ONLINE before 3 p.m., 48 hours prior to delivery or 24 hours prior to pickup.
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Labor Day, September 2
Thanksgiving, November 27-29
Winter Break, December 23-January 3
M.L. King Day, January 20
Spring Break, March 10-14
Good Friday, April 18
Battle of Flowers, May 2
Memorial Day, May 26
Independence Day, July 4
Holiday Cut Off Dates Reminder
Thanksgiving Break
The last day to order any 2 week check out animals before Thanksgiving Break will be Friday, November 8, 2024. We will resume deliveries on Tuesday, December 3, 2024.
Winter Holiday Break
The last day to order any 2 week check out animals before Winter Holiday Break will be Friday, December 6, 2024. We will resume deliveries on Tuesday, January 7, 2025.
Spring Break
The last day to order any 2 week check out animals before Spring Break will be Friday, February 21, 2025. We will resume deliveries on Tuesday, March 18, 2025.
End of Year (Summer Break)
The last day to order any 2 week check out for any item before End of Year will be Friday, May 9, 2025
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Deliveries & Returns Information
Living materials are delivered within Region 20 by the ESC-20 Living Science Van on a weekly basis. Non Region 20 schools should check with their Regional Service Centers for delivery schedule.
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