Edgecomb Eddy students were treated to an engaging presentation, “Nocturnal Animals of Maine” by Wildlife Rehabilitators Dan and Luanne Weeks right before the holiday week.

Sarah Currier’s 4th grade and Laurie Brown’s 6th grade students shared their new knowledge in thank-you letters to the outreach educators.

“I have always loved animals,” Katy Pray wrote, “and when you came, I learned so much more! I never knew skunks have two glands that they can control where they spray.”

“The thing I found most fascinating was how to tell predator from prey by the placement of their eyes,” John Cooper remarked. “Mr. Weeks told us, ‘Eyes in front, likes to hunt. Eyes on the side, likes to hide.’”

The bat presentation was a class favorite. “They can’t jump off the ground like a bird. They have to climb if they want to fly,” Stella Chapman marveled. “There are only eight species of bats in Maine. I thought there would be more.”

“Getting to see a bat was very cool!” wrote Jillian Murray. “I never knew that the pointy things on their wings were [like our] fingers.”

Students learned that the color of nocturnal animals’ eye shine depends on the animals’ diets. A raccoon’s eyes reflect orange, and a deer’s eyes reflect green.

“I had no clue why animals have eye shine,” shared Margaret McCarthy, “but the next time I see an animal that lives in the wild, I am going to pay attention to the color of their eye shine!”

“Nocturnal animals have a layer of minerals in their eyes that reflect the light back into the retina, which increases night vision.” Stella Chapman explained.

The highlight of the program was Willow the screech owl. Having been injured by a car in Maryland, she cannot be reintroduced back into the wild, so she acts as a wildlife ambassador.

“I was intrigued when you told us about how big owls’ eyes are,” said Olive Tomko. “There is no room in their heads for eye muscles, so they have adapted to turn their heads up to 270 degrees. I really liked hearing Willow’s story.”

“It’s sad that she only has one eye,” wrote Jillian Murray, “but it adds to her personality. (More like ‘owl-ality!’)”

Azalea Averill wrote, “I didn’t know there were 200 species of owls!”

Gaby Main said, “I found it interesting how screech owls in the winter at their heaviest weigh only a half a pound.”

“Willow is my personal favorite raptor of all time,” said Margaret McCarthy.

Luanne and Dan packed a lot of information into their hour-long program. The students now have a new appreciation for the wildlife that share our woods, fields, and shoreline.