Most of the world is made of water. Most of you is made of water. Two of four essential elements of life..carbon, oxygen, hydrogen and nitrogen...are found in water. Life, as we know it, cannot exist without water. Millions of species of plant and animal life live in water. These are the aquatic organisms inhabiting the oceans, lakes, ponds, rivers and streams.
Kiva's Moon Ivy Hill has five ponds and a stream, all unpolluted and rich with life...life that deserves attention and to be understood. Let's look at one pond - The Beaver Pond - and examine one life cycle; that of the spotted newt.
The male of the species clasps the neck of the female with his hind legs - he releases a pheromone (an external animal secretion having characteristics that stimulate behavioral or physiological responses in members of the species that produces it). He wafts it toward the nostrils of the female with his finned tail. After a period of time, he releases her and swims to a piece of vegetation and deposits a spermatophore (a gelatenous cone with a small package of sperm cells on top, kind of like a cherry on top of an ice cream sundae). The female follows and picks up this package with her cloaca(an opening for both reproduction and excretion). You see, fertilization is internal, but mating never occured.
A mature Red Eft scurries to the pond
Shortly, eggs are also laid on the vegetation, singly. These mature into a scarlet colored, "red eft." The efts leave the pond and enter the woods, where they live for three years until sexually mature. These are very commonly seen during early spring.
The eft then returns to the pond to mate. When mature, the adults retain the scarlet colored spots along their sides. Like all amphibians, the newts, frogs, toads and salamanders need water to complete their life cycle.
This is but one of the thousands of natural stories all about us, and one of many to be shared here on this website and at The Kiva Connection's premier wildlife refuge and sanctuary, Moon Ivy Hill.
Come and see us!
The Kiva Connection is a 100% volunteer and donor supported association. Your contributions are critical to our mission's success and to our ability to care for the land and animals that bless Kiva visitors. Donations are also vital to the development of more retreat cabins and therapeutic programs for sincere seekers of personal growth and healing. Thank you, in advance, for your thoughtful support!
Kindly send your checks made payable to:
The Kiva Connection
aka "The Kiva Project"
Moon Ivy Hill
4526 Olmstead Rd.
Woodhull, NY
14898
A receipt will be provided you for your tax records!
Email: info@kivaconnection.org
(c) Copyright 1998-2011 The Kiva Connection, All Rights Reserved
