Russell, 7, loves wildlife—especially ocean animals. Passionate about endangered species, he shares facts and dreams of protecting them all.
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Receive Text UpdatesIn Russell’s own words- “What I love most about nature is that there can be symbiotic relationships where two different animals, for example the Galapagos iguana and the lightfoot crab, the crab would pick the ticks off the iguana and it eats them as one of their main food sources. I like it because it’s different species working together in one environment so that's pretty cool, it’s like team work.
In Russell's Words “Picking one is very hard, the whale shark, goblin shark and the frilled shark are high on my list. Right now the whale shark is my favorite. I like how it has unique spots. They have 5 giant gills inside their mouths to help get oxygen from the water so they can breathe. I like that they are very docile. It’s cool that most big animals are considered dangerous but the whale shark is not. I also like how whale sharks are filter feeders and most sharks are not.”
In Russell's Words “My favorite thing to do is swim. I love to swim because I like to be in the water and that's where my favorite animals live. Plus all animals need water to survive and always have since the beginning of time. Oh! I like to practice holding my breath too and it really helps you cool off when it is hot."
Vote for Russell to become the 2026 Jr. Ranger while supporting a great cause! Cast your free daily vote below, or make an even bigger impact when you vote by donation—supporting the National Wildlife Federation in their mission to protect wildlife and preserve wild places for future generations.
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