The Future--Cleaning up the Cape's algae problem

"Everything about the Cape functions around its ability to have clean beaches, abundant shellfishing,

and all the tourism spinoffs.

Our product, you can say, is clean water.’’*

CLF Cleaning up the Cape’s Algae Problem

Nov 30, 2011 by Ben Carmichael  Source

"Rotten eggs and black mayonnaise – sights and smells that, to the dread of many, are becoming increasingly common across Cape Cod. Over the 30 years, increased development and insufficient wastewater treatment systems have degraded the quality of Cape Cod’s waters. CLF, in association with Buzzards Bay Coalition, are working to clean up the Cape – work that was recently covered by David Abel in The Boston Globe.

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Take the skull challenge...

Can you name the wetland animal that matches each skull?

The relative sizes are shown.  The largest is 7 3/4" long, and the smallest is 2 3/8" long.

A. hint:  omnivore (eats a wide variety of animals and plants).  Not aquatic, but often feeds along the shores of ponds and streams.

B. hint: herbivore (eats plants); round tail.  Very aquatic.

C. hint: mostly a carnivore (eats animals).  Not aquatic, but travels along shorelines.

D. hint: omnivore (eats a variety of animals and plants).  This animal is not a wetland species, but might be found along the shore at times.

E. hint: carnivore (eats animals).  Very aquatic.

F. hint: herbivore (eats plants), flat tail.  Very aquatic.  This is the only one of the six skulls which does not occur in Cape Cod and SE Massachusetts--but it is common elsewhere.  Bonus points if you can come up with a good answer for why it's not found in Cape Cod!

Answers to the Skull Challenge (click on the letter to see the animal)
A
B
C
D
E
F