Biotope Blog

Biotope Blog

On this page we keep you updated on everything concerning the BioDiversum. How is the progess on the construction work? What animals and plants are there to see? What else is going on? Find out here!


March 21, 2024

Slippery rendevous

Numerous toads (Bufo bufo) are currently bustling around our pond in the BioDiversum. The reason: It is mating season!

Despite the demanding migration, it is time for the amphibians to hang on rather than rest. Several suitors surround the larger female, but only the strongest succeeds in clasping her tightly and mating with her. This also leads to confusion from time to time: In their hormonal frenzy, males sometimes clutch conspecifics of their own sex.

Vast quantities of egg strings – as long as two to five meters – already run like black pearls through our biotope pond. Over the next few days, the thousands of eggs – 3,000 to 8,000 per female – will hopefully hatch into many healthy tadpoles, which will be able to leave our pond as tiny toads in July. We are excited!

By the way, the common toad is a “specially protected” species under the Federal Nature Conservation Act. This means that it may not be caught, injured, or killed. To scare off predators, the toad produces a poisonous skin secretion. Even the dainty tadpoles have this poisonous protective shield. We keep our fingers crossed that this can shelter them from hungry mouths.

The Toad’s Tale


March 01, 2024

Oops, who is sleeping there?

Spring cleaning is not just for our four walls but also for the many nesting boxes at the BioDiversum. When nature wakes up from winter sleep, we get active: We clean the “homes” of our bird families and get them ready for the new breeding season.

But guess who we woke up: an indignant mouse! The wood mouse (Apodemus sp.) had made itself at home in one of our nesting boxes and was not happy when we disturbed its beauty sleep. Of course, we left it sleep in peace. Nevertheless, we could not let the cute video recording pass us by, so take a look – but shhhh...

By the way, mice normally do not hibernate. They go dormant at low temperatures to save energy but are otherwise active all year round. Wood mice are also only active at night. Therefore, they are particularly grateful for a warm, cozy place to nap during the day – like our nesting boxes.
 

February 12, 2024

More than just a box full of seeds

As the temperatures drop and the days get shorter, many of us think about how we can help wild birds through the cold season – with a bird feeder. We at the BioDiversum also provide our birds with valuable treats (not only in winter).

But a bird feeder in winter is more than just a food source: According to a new study from the Swedish University of Lund, winter feeding also positively affects birds’ health. With more reserves available, birds do not need to lower their body temperature as much at night to save energy, which is especially helpful in the case of feverish infections. The bottom line is that birds with access to feeders use less energy to fight an infection.

The study results encourage us to continue feeding the birds in the BioDiversum all year round. We believe it is an important contribution to the well-being of our little feathered friends in a changing environment.

Want to know how the Swedish researchers found all this out? Read the original publication here.


January 02, 2024

Playfully through the biotope

Our trainees have contributed two interactive information boards to the round tour of the BioDiversum. As part of the “Azubiprojekt” (apprentice project), they designed and built a quiz board and a board with a wildlife memory.

We are very happy about the new boards and would like to thank all trainees for their commitment!

 


 

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