RESPONSE TO DANGER WITHOUT THOUGHT OF RETREAT


The short-tailed Weasel (Zmustela eriminea) is probably one of the most courageous animals alive.  The weasel is fearless and bold and does not back away from danger.  It uses speed of attack as one of its major weapons. Since it is so small, any hesitation on its part could mean death.  The weasel is one of the most effective hunters of its size.  It has highly coordinated muscles and it responds swiftly and accurately.  With its powerful crushing jaws and needlepoint teeth, its mouth is a deadly weapon.  The weasel's sleek, low-slung body enables it to approach and surprise any victim.  Some of the victims of the weasel have been known to become paralyzed and even die from fright when faced with a weasel's attack.

The weasel has been known to attack man, but only when man comes between the weasel and its food, or if cornered.  The weasel's diet consists mainly of mice, but it has been known to prey on even rabbits, chickens and geese.  It is carnivorous and eats both cold and warm-blooded animals.  Weasels are nocturnal feeders.  Farmers are very aware of the destruction a weasel can cause and they take great care to ensure they cannot gain entrance into their poultry areas.  A weasel is able to slip through a hole as small as one inch in diameter.  If the head fits through, the body will also.  They have piercing incisors and bone-crushing molars.  The heavy duty bone structure of the jaw, embedded in strong muscles, enables the weasel to establish and maintain a vice-like grip which the weasel will only release upon death. 

An Ermine is a weasel.  The name ermine refers to the weasel when it has its winter white coat.  This white coat of the ermine helps the animal to be protected in the snow.  Its brown shaded coat from spring through autumn camouflages it against its habitat, also.

Once the weasel is in a conflict, it will either continue until its opponent is subdued or it is killed itself.  The weasel does not ever even consider retreat as an option.
 

APPLICATION OF RESOURCES AVAILABLE IN CREATIVE WAYS WHEN FACED WITH OVERWHELMING ODDS

The Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platyrhinos) is usually a gentle and harmless snake. It is a snake of strong build and measures about 2 to 3 feet in length. It inhabits sandy, dry and wooded areas. These reptiles are highly resourceful as well. When faced with danger in the form of humans, it will first try the hostile approach and if that fails to scare away its predator, it will pretend to be dead and wait until the predator is gone.

The hognose will eat its food whole and uses its digestive juices to dissolve the food. It can only eat animals small enough to fit into its mouth. Its bottom jaws will detach from the skull to allow more room and the bottom jaw will come apart to allow wider food in. It mainly eats birds, mice, chipmunks, frogs, salamanders and other snakes. Its favorite food is the toad.

The hognose cannot use its fangs for defense because they are located in the back of the snakes mouth and poison its prey while it is eating. The hognose’s teeth are very difficult to escape from, seeing as how they point to the back of the snake’s mouth which makes it virtually impossible to escape.   The hognose’s camouflage is also helpful in hunting its prey or protecting it from predators. Its blotchy, diamond-back design on its olive, brown, orange, and black skin helps it to blend in with the surrounding dry, sandy areas. When it lies still, the snake is indistinguishable from its background. The hognose got its name because its nose is similar looking to that of a hog. A unique feature of the hognose is its bone protuberance on its snout. This bone is used for digging, generally while hunting toads in soft or sandy ground. Its fangs are poisonous and paralyze its prey.

The hognose is able to glide stealthily along the ground while hunting. It moves quickly and easily through burrows, crevices and around rocks. There are four ways a snake can move, the caterpillar approach, which involves the pulling together then expanding of one’s body, which is used mainly by the larger snakes, such as constrictors. The side-winding movement, used mainly by rattlesnakes, happens when the snake puts its head off to the side and sends a winding movement through the body to move itself along. The concertina movement is when a snake coils their body then shoots their head in the direction they want to go after anchoring their head to the ground. The serpentine movement is the method that most snakes, including the hognose use to move. They move forward by putting pressure against random objects on the ground and sliding its body against them in a winding motion.

Overall, when the hognose is hunting or feeling threatened, it’s very resourceful in finding ways of achieving its goals.

FOLLOWING DIFFICULT INSTRUCTIONS IN THE FACE OF DANGER

The Wood Duck (Aix Sponsa) is an inhabitant of freshwater marshes and swamps. The eighteen inch bird is the most colorful bird of North America and it makes its nest in the hollow of a tree near a body of water.

Parent birds take every precaution possible to ensure a successful hatch of their ducklings because it’s estimated that out of an average hacking of six to eight only half of them will reach maturity. The wood duck is very particular about where it nests. They most often choose a wooded area near a river or quiet lake. They are careful to choose a tree that has an area clear of obstructions so that the hatchlings won’t be injured departing the nest. The male will accompany the female on the search for a good nesting spot. The male will not inspect the nest but he will stand guard outside while the female inspects the hollow or hole in the tree. A female will choose a tree for its nest based on two requirements. The height the hollow is from the ground and the depth of the hollow. If the hollow is too low to the ground predators can attack the nest. The depth of the hollow can not be too much or too little. If too much, the ducklings will have a hard time when it’s time to leave. If too little, the nest is exposed to predators. A female will approach her nest very cautiously. It will generally fly and land at a tree nearby and watch for predators and when it feels that it is safe she will return to the nest.

Once the female is satisfied with the nesting spot, she begins to pluck feathers from her breast to make an insulated area. She will lay one egg a day, carefully cover it and return the next day to lay another. After all the eggs are laid, she will begin incubation. This way ensures that the eggs hatch at the same time. Two to three days before the eggs hatch, the female will listen for faint “peeping” inside the eggs. She will then communicate with them to get them used to the sounds of her voice before they hatch. This makes it easier for the ducklings to respond to her calls and follow her commands.

The ducklings break through their shells unassisted by their mother. They have a sharp protrusion on the end of their bill for breaking through the shell. It will chip away at the egg until the hole is large enough for the duckling to use its body to crack the egg open. Usually hatchlings will leave the nest with their mother within 24 hours of hatching. The female will not give the signal to leave until she is absolutely sure it’s safe to leave.

A brood pond is chosen by the mother and is where she chooses to raise her young. It is usually ten acres in size with sufficient food for the family and has an adequate amount of cover protection. Arrowhead plants, cattails, and reeds are used for cover by the wood ducks. A duckling can face many dangers on its way to the brood pond. Bullfrogs, turtles, snakes, raccoons, owls, hawks and mink are predators that need to be watched out for. The ducklings will stay close to their mother for several months while she is training them for life.
February 3,2003, changed the lives of Evelyn Husband and her children forever, when Space Shuttle Columbia exploded over the Texas skies, taking Commander Rick Husband's life.  Follow the journey of Rick's life from a childhood dream to seeing this desire fulfilled.  Through the eyes of his wife, share in the warm memories of his years.  Witness the courage, hope and triumph of his life, and the peace of God that carried his family through this painful tradegy.