Hey there! It’s a snowy day, and we’re stuck inside, but that’s okay because it means we can play our favorite game: Guess That Animal! The rules are simple. We pick secret animals and give each other clues to guess what they are. Since it’s so snowy outside, we decided to make it more fun by choosing only cold-weather animals. Ready to play?
My first animal is a mammal, really big, and lives only in water. It’s not a polar bear or a seal, but it has a blowhole on top of its head. Can you guess? Yes, it’s a humpback whale! Whales, seals, and polar bears live in cold places, but how do they stay warm? Let’s find out!
Animals like whales, seals, and polar bears are warm-blooded, meaning their body temperature stays the same no matter how cold it is outside. Whales have a special layer of fat called blubber, which is thicker than regular fat and acts like a winter coat, keeping them warm in icy waters.
Polar bears, on the other hand, have two layers of fur. The inner layer traps heat, while the outer layer, called guard hair, keeps them dry. Emperor penguins have a unique way of staying warm by huddling together to share body heat.
Now it’s your turn! Your animal has antlers, hooves, and lives in the tundra, a cold place with snow almost all year. It has two different names depending on where it lives. Is it a caribou or a reindeer? Yes, you’re right!
Caribou have adaptations to survive in the tundra. They have big hooves to dig through snow for food and a thick coat with two layers to keep them warm. Their noses even help warm the air they breathe in!
My next animal is clumsy on land but a fast swimmer. It has wings but can’t fly and looks like it’s wearing a tuxedo. Yes, it’s a penguin, specifically an emperor penguin! Penguins are fascinating because there are many species, and they live in different climates.
For example, the little blue penguin from Australia is tiny and blue, while the yellow-eyed penguin from New Zealand lives in forests. The African penguin lives in warm places and sounds like a donkey!
Your last animal is a small mammal that changes its coat with the seasons. In winter, it has a thick white coat, and in summer, a shorter brown one. It’s a carnivore. Is it an Arctic fox? Yes!
Arctic foxes have thick fur to stay warm and change color to blend in with their surroundings. They aren’t the only ones with winter coats. Arctic hares and ptarmigans also change their fur or feathers to survive the cold.
We both know a lot about animals, and it looks like it’s a tie! As a reward, let’s make some hot chocolate and get cozy with a good book. Next time it’s snowy, you can play Guess That Animal too. Just pick some animals, make up clues, and have fun!
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Blubber Experiment: Let’s explore how blubber keeps animals warm! Fill a bowl with icy water. Put one hand in a plastic bag and cover it with a thick layer of shortening or butter. Place this hand in the icy water and keep your other hand in the water without any covering. Which hand feels warmer? This is how blubber works for whales and seals!
Fur and Feathers Craft: Create your own cold-weather animal using cotton balls and colored paper. Use cotton balls to mimic the thick fur of a polar bear or the feathers of a penguin. Discuss how these features help animals stay warm. You can even make a mini huddle of penguins to see how they share warmth!
Animal Observation Walk: Go on a walk in your neighborhood or local park and look for animals. Can you spot any animals with thick fur or feathers? How do you think they stay warm in the cold? Draw a picture of one animal you see and imagine what it would look like if it lived in a snowy place.
