Scavenger hunt of scavengers

In the museum, only animal remains and pictures are displayed.  The relationship between the animals and homo sapiens is distinct. The animals are kept solitarily behind safety glass, clearly separated from the human observers. It further shows the exploitation of animals by humans, this time, in terms of research historically and scientifically. Also, we don't know how these creature were collected; if they were already dead, or if they were killed for museum purposes (excluding dinosaurs of course). The locations/floors designated for the different animals is determined by habitats. It doesn't seem speciesist because it presents the community of all the animals (except humans) that occupy a certain area of land in a particular climate.

On the first floor, in the paleontology and geology section, the Cotton Tail Rabbit (Sylvilagus) skeleton caught my eye. It was a completely reconstructed animal which was very intricate due to the animal's naturally small stature. These remains were found in Bexas County, Texas, and is a composite Pleistocene. As my power animal, I feel that these displayed remains are acceptable for viewing purposes. The rabbit is not an endangered species, and the bones were collected post-mortem. I think that homo-sapiens should learn from animals as we learn from them.

On the second floor, I chose the picture of the American White Pelican. The American White Pelicans are common winter residents of the Texas coast. This bird, with its pouch turned inside out against its chest, is resting on a pier in Galveston County. It resides alongside Great Blue Herons, my power animal of course. As my power animal, I feel that this picture shows the pride that us birds love to show off. I think that photographs of animals are a non-intrusive way to studying these beautiful creatures. Being a fellow bird, in a similar environment, I would be happy to pose for as many pictures as possible for people to awe at my beauty.

On the third floor, in Oakland Woodlands and Prairies, I chose the Rock Squirrel (scientifically known as the Spermophilus variegatus). It is a large, moderately bushy-tailed ground squirrel; upperparts mottled grayish brown, the hind back and rump more brownish (head or head and upper back blackish in some parts of the state); tail mixed buff and brown, edged with white; underparts buffy white or pinkish buff. Squirrels are very common in Texas, especially the rock squirrel. As my power animal, I feel that this stuffed version is insulting to the species. There is no life in the eyes of the animal, no spirit. I do not think this is the way nature intended us to view this wonderfully curious creature. We don't stuff humans so we can observe them after they die, why doesn't this squirrel receive the same courtesy?

On the fourth floor I chose one of the preserved toads in the reptiles and amphibians of Texas area: the Gulf Coast Toad (scientifically known as Bufo valliceps). This toad is found in Louisiana, Texas, and eastern Mexico. This toad is one of the largest ones on display, yet still confined to a tiny jar. As G.B. Heron, I feel sorry for this creature. Even though I often enjoy these tasty treats as special meals, I would rather it be in my belly than in this jar. I think that it is distasteful to the memory of the frog. A rendering or a photography would suffice just fine.