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Toucan by keida

Toucan

keida

Totem of the day is Toucan! Don't be afraid to let your thoughts and opinions be known or to let yourself raise your voice a little in order to be heard. Let yourself speak your mind and open up about those feelings you've been holding back. However, be sure to pick your words carefully with thought to how you are communicating. You will find strength in trying forms of toning, sounding, or chanting each day. This could also mean joining a class or event which focuses on speech, acting, or improv games. The Toucan totem is known for it's connection to communication, self-confidence, and speaking up. When Toucan shows up this can often mean that you may need to stand up for yourself in expressing your beliefs or feelings. This totem can also show up to remind you to take off your mask and be who you are with pride and joy. It is ok to tell others when you need help and to reach out to strengthen those bonds with relatives and distant friends. Being one of the loudest birds, Toucan is a symbol for getting out there and being social, speaking your mind, and letting yourself enjoy what attention you may be receiving. Toucan was sacred to the Incas and revered by the Mayans as a mystic creature that could fly to the spirit world. People who connect with Toucan often have natural skills of communication which includes a brilliant command of language and effective speaking techniques. These individuals sometimes may speak too loudly at the wrong time and end up with miscommunications. With an additional unpredictable nature, enjoying whatever they want to do when they want to do it, toucan types can sometimes cause irritation to others. However, they enjoy spreading knowledge and speaking positively to groups in hobbies or careers surrounding acting, public speaking, or communication.

Toucan, Ramphastos Toco, are omnivorous birds that can live up to 20 years in the wild. Native to the rainforests of central and South America as well as the Caribbean, they possess over 40 different species. Toucans prefer leafy, warm jungle habitats and possess short wings that enable them to maneauver through the tight trees. Their brightly colored feathers actually help them to blend in with the bright colors of their rainforest habitats. These small wings are only as long as their own body and only allow them to fly short distances. Toucan's are not very good at flying and will prefer to hop from tree branch to branch with their strong legs and long, curved toes. The largest Toucan is the Toco Toucan, or common toucan, which can grow to approximately 2 feet long and weigh just under 2 lbs. This larger toucan actually prefers the slightly more open habitats of central and eastern South America. The smallest toucan is the Lettered Aracari which only grows to 11 inches long and weigh just under 5 oz. All species of Toucan possess brightly colored feathers, a loud voice, and a large, curved beak. These iconic beaks are quite light as they are made up of keratin, the same substance that makes up hair and nails in humans. Due to this, they are not particularly strong. A toucan's beak generally grows to about half the length of it's body and is used for mating, feeding, and intimidation. The diet of a Toucan consists of a combination of plants and animals such as nuts, seeds, fruits, berries, and insects, reptiles, small mammals, and eggs. Each toucan will ingest primarily the fruit of the tree in which they have decided to live. Their large beaks possess forward-facing serrations which look vaguely like teeth and help them to hold onto fruit. The large size can also help them to reach deep into tree-holes for foods that other birds cannot reach and also aid in regulating their temperature. A toucan's tongue is grey colored and actually frayed on the sides in order to increase their ability to taste. One of the very unique features of a toucan would be the way their last three vertebrae are fused together and attached to their spine by a ball and socket joint such as those found in hips and shoulders. This allows the Toucan to roll their tails forward far enough to touch their head with their tail feathers. This is the position they will hold while they sleep in which they resemble a ball of feathers. Toucans will forage for food alone, but will often live in small groups of around 6 or 7 other birds. These groups can sometimes number as many as 20 individuals. Toucans will form pair bonds that find empty cavities in trees in which to raise their young. If they create nests, both male and female will work together to build it. Male Toucans will gather food that they bring to the female they wish to woo. Often tossing the food back and forth for some time before mating. The female will lay between 2 and 4 eggs which are incubated by both the male and female. The hatchlings are also fed and cared for by both parents. These chicks are not born with a large beak, but must develop it over a few months in their nest. It is only after this that they begin to learn to fly and leave the nest.

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