What are Animals of the High Sky?
"People once thought that the bottom of the ocean was devoid of life, too extreme for anything to exist. Too lightless, too cold, too crushing, too empty. They were wrong. We once thought the high sky was the same. Today, we have proven otherwise. The research station above Mount Chimborazo has captured some amazing data—and images! There is a whole ecosystem that exists far, far above us. How did they come to be this way? How have they gone unnoticed for so long? What are they? Together we will find out."
Have you ever seen something strange in the sky? A bug that also looks not like a bug? A see-through thing that you catch only a glimpse of? A cloud that doesn't move like a cloud? A creepy mark on a photo?
Buzzing by your shoulders, around your face, over your head, and far, far above, strange animals glide and drift and fly all around you each day. You, however, cannot see them except under the most perfect circumstances—and even then, you probably aren’t looking! Called atmospheric beasts, these microscopic to sky-scraper-sized organisms exist only in the air. Found throughout the world, they can be divided into five different categories based on what they look like, eat, how they move, and where they can be found.
Habitat of the High Sky
The atmosphere is a bubble of layered gases that wrap around the Earth. Without it, the planet would be uninhabitable; it protects those below from space debris, provides a livable temperature range, and, in short, allows life to exist. Atmospheric beasts depend on it more than other wildlife, evolving to swim, feed, and reproduce only in its great expanses. Anaerobic (not needing oxygen to survive), their ancestors were some of the first life to populate Earth.
Level One: the Troposphere
We are most familiar with the atmosphere’s lowest layer because it is where we live: the troposphere. All high-sky animals can live in this section—found from end to end or in specific reaches. Beginning at the ground, it is the lowest, wettest, and generally warmest layer; it stretches 4 to 12 miles high and hosts almost all of the planet's weather. As you climb up the troposphere, temperatures grow colder—causing some mountain peaks to be snowy in summer.
The air pressure also drops with higher altitudes, which is why planes must be pressurized during flights. Those unsuited to low pressure will experience altitude sickness.
Level Two: the Stratosphere
The second atmospheric layer, the stratosphere, is much different than the troposphere; it has no turbulence, no updrafts, is incredibly dry, and temperatures rise the higher you go. Tall or nacreous clouds occasionally reach above and into this layer. Only two kinds of atmospheric beasts have evolved to fly in the stratosphere and survive.
Quick References: 4
Origins of Atmospheric Life
While the ancestors of atmospheric animals were some of the first life here, they are not related to Earth's native life at all. They actually originate from extradimensional organisms. Once subatomic creatures—beings smaller than an atom—these ancestors lived inside the heart of neutron stars in a distant universe. Their short lives ended in the quick, quiet production of a few offspring; they changed little after the passing of eons. Until, that is, they found themselves teleported to Earth.
Exceedingly rare, sometimes things from one universe can end up in another in an instant; this rapid movement is called interdimensional travel. It occurs most frequently because of window areas or black hole activity. Most travelers, however, die along the way or upon their arrival.
The Multiverse
The multiverse is a collection of all of existence's space, time, energy, and laws. Two dimensions (or universes) may be almost identical, differing in only a few events or outcomes. They can also be so different that they feel impossibly alien—as if they play by a different set of rules entirely. The one constant of the multi-universe is that all universes share the same laws of physics.
Window Areas
A window area is a place where the matter that separates one dimension from another is so thin that objects or organisms may cross from one space to another. Some life has evolved to deliberately find and zip back and forth from one window area to another; most organisms, however, accidentally fall into these holes in space and time. The closer two dimensions are, the more likely a window area will lead to it. Black holes often feature window areas inside them—there is no rhyme or reason to where they may lead.
Footnotes, Sources, & Further Reading
1. “Atmosphere of Earth.” Wikipedia, 6 Jan. 2024, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atmosphere_of_Earth#Troposphere. Accessed 11 Dec. 2023.
2. “The Troposphere | UCAR Center for Science Education.” Scied.ucar.edu, scied.ucar.edu/learning-zone/atmosphere/troposphere.
3. Symptoms include headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, sleeplessness, appetite loss, and general malaise. More severe cases may cause vision issues, the lungs to fill with fluid, or the brain to swell. This illness increases in the likelihood of development and severity with altitude.
Cleveland Clinic. “Altitude Sickness: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment & Prevention.” Cleveland Clinic, 23 Sept. 2020, my.
clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15111-altitude-sickness.
4. Nacreous clouds are also known as rainbow or mother-of-pearl clouds for their soft, colorful appearances. Look for them on cold, winter days!
“Nacreous.” Cloud Appreciation Society, cloudappreciationsociety.org/cloud-library/nacreous/. Accessed 11 Jan. 2024.
the BCWPA Conservation Zoo at Midway
Exhibit Overview
Location: BCWPA Conservation Zoo at Midway
UFO Discovery Wing, Exhibit 2A-2E
Average Visit Length: 3 hours
Species on Exhibit: 29 Air Rods, sourced only from Midway, NM, 3 Species of Atmospheric Jellyfish, 2 species of Sky Serpent, 14 types of Atmoplankton, and an exhibit on the 5 known species of Cloud Whale
Species Diversity
Surrounded by specialized, see-through walls, Atmospheric Beasts are on display like nowhere else! Normally invisible to the eye, these creatures are fully viewable within optimized, artificial environments featuring weather and sunlight cycles that highlight each's response. Learn as you walk by each exhibit with informative plaques, detailed charts and maps, in addition to interactive stations that educate visitors young and old. Observe and ask BCWPA scientists questions, rent a speed monitor to find the fastest Air Rod, and, on Tuesdays, buy a ticket to bring breakfast to the high sky animals!
Care and Conservation
At the BCWPA Conservation Zoon at Midway, our dedicated team of caretakers ensures the well-being and comfort of our remarkable high sky residents! These delicate atmospheric creatures require specialized attention to thrive in their simulated tropospheric habitat.
Habitat Management
Their exhibits are meticulously designed to mimic the unique conditions of the troposphere and/or stratosphere, providing ample space and environmental enrichment. Our habitat features include:
Temperature Control: Maintaining optimal temperature levels to replicate the atmospheric conditions where each species thrives.
UV Lighting: Utilizing specific UV lighting to simulate natural light patterns and cater to the needs of each species.
Airflow Simulation: Creating varying airflow within the exhibit to mimic the changing, breezy environments where these creatures are found, exercise their muscles, and provide mental stimulation.
Dietary Needs
Our expert staff closely monitors the dietary preferences and needs of our residents, offering a specialized diet. This includes:
Atmoplankton Cultivation: Cultivating Atmoplankton colonies to serve as a primary food source for Air Rods and Atmospheric Jellyfish.
Supplemental Feeding: Providing supplemental nutrition for carnivorous species, ensuring a balanced diet that supports their needs, as well as providing enrichment for their predatory behaviors.
Environmental Enrichment
To stimulate natural behaviors and promote mental engagement, we implement various enrichment activities:
Flight Challenges: Constructing obstacles and flight paths within the exhibit to encourage natural flight behaviors and agility. Includes "Poor Weather Events" to stimulate problem-solving and stabilization.
Sensory Stimulation: Introducing visual stimuli that mimic potential prey items or predators, enhancing hunting instincts and defensive behaviors. Also includes a simulated sun to encourage activity.
Social Interaction: Facilitating the conditions of breeding seasons to mimic colonizing or courtship behavior observed in the wild; otherwise un-social animals, breeding is a normal and necessary part of high sky development. Living beyond typical breeding years causes harmful abnormalities and behaviors to develop.
Health Monitoring
Regular health assessments and monitoring protocols are conducted to ensure the overall well-being of our populations:
Veterinary Care: Sometimes residents feel a bit under the weather, are disease carriers, or are injured. The BCWPA collaborates with atmospheric veterinarians to conduct routine health checks and address any medical concerns, including:
Behavioral Observation: Monitoring behavioral cues and activity levels to detect signs of stress or illness early on.
Conservation Efforts: Supporting research initiatives and conservation projects aimed at preserving and understanding atmospheric beasts in their natural habitats.
Visitor Education and Awareness
The BCWPA is committed to fostering awareness and appreciation for high sky animals and their ecological significance:
Educational Programs: Hosting interactive workshops and educational sessions to educate visitors about atmospheric beasts and their role in the ecosystem.
Conservation Outreach: Partnering with research institutions and conservation organizations to promote awareness and advocacy for the conservation of airborne species.
Note: Please refrain from touching or disturbing exhibits during your visit, as these creatures are sensitive to external stimuli, flash photography, and other environmental influences. Those who disobey posted rules will be escorted from the premises. Further visitation to BCWPA institutions will require an assigned guide; second-time offenders are banned from all BCWPA parks.
Visitor Programs and Engagement
At our Midway Zoo, we offer exciting programs that allow visitors to immerse themselves in the captivating world of the high sky, fostering education, appreciation, and conservation efforts!
Nighttime Photography Workshop: Start Your Sky Fishing Portfolio!
Join our expert photographers for a unique night photography workshop focused on capturing atmospheric beasts on camera! Participants will learn specialized techniques for low-light photography, gain insights into the behavior and movement patterns of these creatures, best sighting conditions, and tricks of the trade! After this class, you'll be able to see high sky animals everywhere—even in your own backyard!
Program Highlights:
Photography Instruction: Receive guidance on camera settings, exposure techniques, and composition for capturing Air Rods, Sky Serpents, and Atmospheric Jellyfish in flight or Cloud Whales in the sky.
Field Excursion: Embark on a guided tour inside the Air Rod exhibit after hours, with exclusive access to private viewing locations.
Hands-On Experience: Practice photographing Air Rods and Atmospheric Jellyfish in simulated night conditions under the guidance of experienced wildlife photographers.
ZOOM Room: Discovering the World Through an Air Rods' Eyes!
Embark on an eye-opening, full-sensory tour! Buckle in to the BCWPA's state of the art virtual reality machine (the ZOOM, Zoological Observational Opportunity Mechanism) that takes you on a journey into an environment designed to mimic the unique visual perception of Air Rods and their activities! Roam the sunny expanses as a Flying Fish, attract food as a glowing Airwafer, and go on a high-speed chase as a hunting Flashlight Eyes! Inspired by the groundbreaking footage captured by Jose Escamilla, our virtual tour offers an immersive experience, with not only realistic visuals, but taste, sound, smell, and touch!
Tour Highlights:
Visual Simulation: Experience the light-sensitive vision of Air Rods, showcasing the nuances of their perception and the colors you miss in a world you see every day!
Educational Insights: Learn about the biological adaptations and sensory abilities that enable Air Rods to navigate their high-altitude habitat.
Take Home a Gift: Recieve a digital recording of your experience, as well as three figurines of each Air Rod category (made of 100% post-consumer, recycled plastics).
Adopt an Atmospheric Beast: Supporting Conservation Efforts
As the Earth continues to warm, not even atmospheric beasts are safe. Become a guardian of animals like the Roswell Rod and contribute to their conservation by participating in our Adopt an Atmospheric Beast Sponsorship Program. By adopting, you directly support vital conservation initiatives and research efforts aimed at safeguarding these remarkable atmospheric creatures and stopping climate change.
Program Benefits:
Personalized Certificate: Receive a personalized adoption certificate recognizing your commitment to conservation. Name the adopted high sky animal and receive a yearly photo of it in the wild!
Exclusive Updates: Stay informed with regular updates on atmospheric beasts and their welfare, including behind-the-scenes insights and exclusive BCWPA Conservation Zoo at Midway caretaker blogs.
Contribution to Conservation: Your sponsorship directly funds habitat preservation, research projects, and educational programs dedicated to atmospheric beasts.