A Blonde Squirrel at Our Backyard – Critter 16

I never seen other than gray or “red brown” or brown squirrels at our backyard or neighborhoods. Commonly is brown fur.

Fig 01- A blonde squirrel climbs tree

In fact, there are only two species of squirrels in our city, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, they are:

- gray squirrel with scientific name Sciurus carolinensis.

- and fox squirrels, Sciurus niger.

Gray refers its color, gray or grey. Fox squirrel has “red brown” or brown fur. The brown might combine with white or black on nose and head.

So, what is species of blonde squirrel?

Fig 02- Myrtle trees at a corner

Fig 03- A fox squirrel at city park

I searched through internet, the result that this kind of “blonde” squirrel was found in some places such as in:

- North Central Austin, Texas

- Florida, Wisconsin and Michigan

Since our city, and even state has only two species of squirrel, so, blonde squirrel is not new species, no.

It is highly possibility that it is a new breed of mutant squirrel. The squirrels might be lack of some pigments.

Have you seen blonde or albino squirrels in nature?

# Previous postings:

- How to Keep our Memory to Work until Age 90? - Part 1 | Tanza Erlambang

- Is there Relationship between Coffee and Type 2 Diabetes? - Diabetes 10

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Demanding of Tofu was Increasing During Covid 19 Pandemic – Part 2 – Food Variety 21

You may read the previous post (Part 1):

- Demanding of Tofu was Increasing During Covid 19 Pandemic – Part 1 – Food Variety 21 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Fig 01- Tofu curry, one of popular dishes

Tofu is not bad choice for many people, include me, since it has high nutrition values such as:

- protein

- fiber

- vitamins

- minerals

How is Tofu processed from soybeans?

Fig 02- Fried Tofu, ready to consume

This food is actually fermented food, the making process is similar to cheese. The differences are:

- tofu was fermented from soy milk (made from soybeans).

- cheese from milks of cows, goats or other mammals.

Fig 03- Tofu with dice slices

In addition to nutrition riches, Tofu contains:

- no cholesterol

- gluten free

- lower saturated fat

- lower calories

Since getting popular, tofu is a billion dollar industry now. Both in the USA and world markets.

Do you know tofu?

Have you tasted it?

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Herbs Show at Our City Park – Sign 19

I have posted one of signs in our city park. The sign was about “green bridges.” You may read the previous post:

- Green Bridges for Plants and Pollinators – Sign 11 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Fig 01- Sign of Herb society

The park hosted herbs and plants show from Herb Society of America, Baton Rouge Unit, just recently.

As you might know that the herb society is nonprofit organization. The Baton Rouge unit has missions to promote herb in terms of:

- knowledge

- use

- sharing experiences

- educational and research

Fig 02- Gingers, use for medical and cooking purposes

Fig 03- Several kinds of Herbs for sale

The herb society displays and sell plenty of herb and plants for many purposes include in:

- cooking

- medicine

- beauty products

- and many others

We love ginger as seasoning for our traditional cooking. Some of our friends use ginger for medicines to reduce headaches, flu, nausea and many others.

Have you use herbs for any purposes?

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May Drink Coffee Regularly Improve Healthy Heart? - Part 1 - Heart 8

All of us might taste coffee at least few times in our lives, could be during teenager or young age, just for curious.

Fig 01- Local coffee shop at our city

Who drinks a cup or more of coffee daily may not know the advantages of this beverage.

It seems most of us aware the negative effect of caffeine content in coffee. In great amount, let’s say more than 600 mg or 6 cup per day, caffeine causes:

- higher rate heart beats

- inability to sleep (insomnia)

- anxiety, stomach upset and urination frequently.

- nervousness and higher blood pressure.

Fig 02- Employee at a local coffee shop

Fig 03- A cup of black coffee for illustration

However, in addition to joyful, there are plenty of benefits to drink coffee at proper or moderate intake every day.

Low or proper or moderate intake of caffeine from drink coffee as suggested by Food and Drug Administration (FDA):

- about 400 mg of caffeine per day

- or 4 to 5 cups of coffee per day

What the positive effect on drinking coffee everyday?

# To be continued to Part 2

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- How does Insulin Work in our Body? - Diabetes 14 | Tanza Erlambang Update

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- Why We are not be Rich Persons? | Tanza Erlambang Update

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Waking up after Sleeping for 24,000 years – Part 1

When I was kid, I knew the word of “hibernation” refer to “sleep” during cold (winter) season.

Fig 01- Scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of Bdelloid rotifer

(credit to Steve Gschmeissner).

On that time, I just knew a bear as a perfect example of animal to do hibernation in short times, not years.

Actually, many other animals do hibernate in addition to bear, just few of them are:

- ground squirrels

- bats

- snakes

- turtles

Fig 02- Snake come to our neighbor home

Fig 03- Squirrel at backyard. Ground squirrel may hibernate.

In fact, due to many factors such as sudden changes in temperature and less food sources, animal (physiological) reacts by: lower heart rate, set down body temperature and relax metabolism

Recently, scientists found a bdelloid rotifer which had been slept for 24,000 (twenty thousand) years in Arctic, Russia. Very long sleep.

This multicellular organism (very small size, can’t be seen by naked eyes). The size is about 500 micron (0.5 mm).

What is surprising?

# To be continued to Part 2

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A Fox on the Box of Neighborhood – Critter 15

We know that foxes have our neighborhood as one of their habitats. Few years ago, they have been seen very rarely at our areas.

Fig 01- A fox sitting on the box

However, many neighbors have seen foxes wandering around, even with their babies sometimes.

I myself saw this critter running about the bushes, then he stopped, looked at me, and let me gush over how beautiful she is. Then she prissed off with that little bushy tail straight up in the air.

A neighbor saw a fox runs with a breakfast squirrel in her mouth one early morning recently. Another neighbor saw a rodent in its mouth other days.

Fig 02- Just a corner of our city

Fig 03- A fox on side street

Interesting to find out what are foxes (urban foxes) diets?

Based on internet search, since they eat “almost everything,” urban foxes are omnivorous. Some of their foods are:

- fruits

- hunting frogs, rabbits, rodents

- eating birds

- consume earthworms

At our neighborhood, foxes are found to scavenge for foods in trash can.

Have you seen foxes in nature?

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Peanuts in the Farmer Market – Part 2 - Food Variety 20

You may read previous posting (Part 1):

- Peanuts in the Farmer Market – Part 1 – Food Variety 20 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Fig 01- Boiled peanuts, ready to consume

Our state just have 500 peanut acreages, hence, production so limited. We bought or “imported” peanuts from States such as:

- Georgia

- Florida

- Alabama

- Texas

- North Carolina

- Mississippi

- Oklahoma

Fig 02- Gas station, RaceTrac

Fig 03- Raw peanuts in the market

Some of my neighbors grow peanuts in their backyard during summer, just for fun or for their kids holiday “science” project.

They planted about 1 to 3 short rows of peanuts. Look like the plants are easy to grow. What we need:

- peanut seeds (green peanuts in the shell).

- fertilizers (organic fertilizers)

- plant the seed about 1 inch deep, and 4 inches apart.

In good condition, from seeds to harvest need about 120 days (4 months). Then, peanuts are ready to consume or dry them for consuming later on.

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