Here is a question to COA from an editor at Ranger Rick magazine.  She
sent the letter to me recently, and I forwarded it to someone, but they
have not responded.  I thought I would pass it along to all of you, so
that she can get several responses.
 
Write to her at [log in to unmask]
 
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As an editor at the National Wildlife Federation's kids magazine,
"Ranger Rick," I'm putting together some wowee, zowee facts on animals.
I like the one about the oysters alternating between male and female.
But I wonder why they do this?  Does it depend on the scarcity of the
gender that's around during breeding season, if one can call it that?
 
Do the same oysters necessarily alternate gender, or does it just depend
on the supply of males vs. females? (i.e. one might stay female for
several years if there were a paucity of females during that time??)  I
think it's a cool factoid but we sort of have to explain it just a bit.
 
Thanks so much!
 
With best wishes,
 
Libby Schleichert, Assoicate Editor
Ranger Rick Magazine
National Wildlife Federation
Vienna, Virginia
 
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