--- Fiddler Crabs ---

Fiddler Crabs, genus Uca, live in the tidal sands of mangroves and salt marshes. They are experts at sensing the ebb and flow of the tide because their survival depends on it. Although they have gills, Fiddler crabs can drown if there is too much water. At high tide, they retreat to their 12" burrows in the sand and seal the burrow with mud or sand.

During low tide, colonies of Fiddler Crabs get down to business doing their part for the ecosystem when they come out in the hundreds to work and eat. To build and maintain their burrows, they use their small claws to move sand to their mouths where they strain and extract nutrients. Clean sand pellets are spat out. Although their diet consists of algae and decomposed matter, Fiddler Crabs are tasty meals for shorebirds, fish, and land mammals such as raccoons and foxes.

Female crabs incubate eggs for 2 weeks. During high tide, the female will release the larvae who will float away. In a few weeks, the surviving young crabs will drift back to shore and join a Fiddler Crab colony.

Male Fiddler Crabs have one oversized claw that looks like a fiddle. While it is sometimes used to defend against other male crabs, the large claw is primarily used in courting rituals. To woo his desired female, the male Fiddler crab will dance while waving his giant claw until the lady agrees to join him in his burrow.

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----How we manage our waste----

Here are a few graphs from the last EPA waste assessment. Many of the items that fill our landfills can be composted or recycled. We are making a lot of progress and new technologies such as scrubbers for incinerators allow us to dispose of waste safer and more efficiently. We still have room for improvement. You can start by setting your own waste management goals. Set a goal today and see if you can change your habits by the end of the year. Share your goal in the comments.
#ImagineOurFlorida #IOF #waste #reduce #refuse #reuse

--- Tuesday Trivia ---

Laundry fibers are responsible for 60% of microplastics in freshwater. Personal products such as body wash, shampoo, and toothpaste containing microbeads which were made before 2018 contribute 34%. Films and foam make up the last 6%.

Most wastewater treatment facilities are not capable of filtering microplastics. Microplastics make it into our drinking water, bottled water, foods, and beverages.

What can you do? Buy textiles and clothing made of natural fabrics. Avoid synthetic textiles such as polyester, nylon, and acrylic.

Source https://www.americanscientist.org/article/plastics-plastics-everywhere

#ImagineOurFlorida #IOF #microplastics #cleanwater

--- Tuesday Trivia ---

What is the largest contributor of microplastics in freshwater?

A. laundry fibers
B. toothpaste
C. exfoliating face and body scrubs
D, films and foams

Please Post your Answer in the Comments.
Answer revealed tonight at 6 pm.
Be the first to know.
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