Mission #8 – Confessions…
Last season, Asia helped us pick out our frog friends, and got into the groove! Ready, set, hop!
At the end of our Winter Season Nature Club class – In Cold Blood – we expanded our daycare pet population to include two fire belly toads. Asia, from Aquariums West, helped us pick them out and taught us how to care for them. They were named Hoppy and Slavenko, and they lived in the tank next door to Gecko.
Over the May Long Weekend, Hoppy disappeared. 🙁
He’s a really good hopper, and we assume he made it out the mail slot and hopped to freedom. Of course the kids and teachers are sad that he’s gone, but we’re excited for his new adventures, and wish him well.
But what about Slavenko?
Since the disappearance of Hoppy, Slavenko had been pretty morose. We wondered if he would be happier with a friend, and after a little internet research, we discovered that Fire Belly Toads are social creatures who prefer (for the most part) to live in groups.
Confessing to Asia that we had lost… that Hoppy had escaped, was embarrassing but important, and now that Slavenko was probably feeling lonely, we knew what we had to do.
Mission #8: Find a friend for Slavenko.
A recap in photos:
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As usual, we missioned up, and headed out.
Asia wasn’t there, but another staff member told us that neither fish, rats, bunnies, chameleons, or even fire belly newts make great friends for toads. Another toad was the way to go. (Good thing we asked 😉 )
The first Friday of June is National Donut Day (since 1938!), so Luna’s mission, to bring back a treat was right on the money, and while Jackson’s picture bonus – 2 dogs – seemed like it would be a breeze, it wasn’t until the very end of our animal laden trip that we ran into a lady walking 3 little poodle mixes. We counted 22 buses, and found a bonus waterfall where we had our snack.
Everyone knows Maksim is the sweetest, but even Isa underestimated how much charm he could turn on, until he snuggled up, and asked her if sitting by the waterfall wasn’t “so romantic”? She melted a little bit, and he got 10 bonus points, helping us achieve our first 100+ point mission: 111!
Upon our return, there was one question on everyone’s mind, and I’m sure you’re also wondering. I considered it an ill omen, but the response has been unanimous. The new frog’s name is Hoppy, and he and Slavenko are getting along just fine. 🙂
