Imagine it’s a hot summer day, and you’re outside enjoying the sunshine. You might want to lie down in the cool grass under a shady tree. But wait, what’s that? It looks like someone spat on the grass! Actually, it’s the home of a spittlebug. These little insects drink a lot of watery sap from plants and turn it into bubbles. They make a bubbly cocoon to protect their young, and no animal wants to eat it because it tastes really bitter!
Did you know the fastest animal in the world isn’t a cheetah? It’s actually the Dracula ant! This ant can snap its jaws 5,000 times faster than you can blink. If you filmed it at super slow motion, you’d see its jaws moving so quickly they even bend!
Have you ever heard of the Ayam Cemani chicken? It’s the darkest animal around, with black feathers, eyes, claws, and even bones! Marco Polo, the famous explorer, wrote about these chickens back in 1298, saying they were as black as cats and laid the best eggs.
Some of the oldest creatures live in the sea. There are deep-sea sponges that are over 11,000 years old! And there’s a fish called the coffin fish that can hold its breath for over four minutes by gulping seawater and getting oxygen from it.
Some animals make their own clothes! Sponge crabs use sponges to make hats that protect them from predators. They carefully cut and shape the sponge to fit perfectly on their heads.
Did you know some moths drink birds’ tears while they sleep? They also drink tears from turtles, crocodiles, and other animals to get essential salts they can’t find elsewhere.
Some animals can glow! The stoplight loosejaw fish uses red light to catch shrimp, which can’t see the red light. Flying squirrels glow pink under UV light because they can absorb light and emit it back in a different color.
Platypuses have cheek pouches where they keep gravel to help mash their food since they don’t have teeth. If humans had cheeks like chipmunks, we could carry groceries in our mouths!
The Mariana snailfish lives in the deepest part of the ocean, the Mariana Trench. Despite being small, it can withstand the pressure of 1,600 elephants standing on it! Its body is specially designed to survive in such extreme conditions.
Meet the Pinocchio frog! Its nose can grow longer when it feels danger or wants to attract a mate. When the frog is calm, the nose goes back to normal.
Amazon pink river dolphins aren’t born pink. They start gray and turn pink as they age, just like people get wrinkles. And termites never sleep! They just keep nibbling on wood all the time.
The African lungfish can survive without water by creating a mucus cocoon and going underground. Meanwhile, the mountain stone wētā from New Zealand can withstand extreme cold better than polar bears because of a special protein in their blood.
Ring-tailed lemurs have stink fights to settle arguments. They have scent glands on their wrists and shoulders, and the smell from their shoulders is so strong it can outlast any perfume!
Imagine you’re a spittlebug! Create your own bubbly cocoon using soap and water. Observe how bubbles form and discuss why spittlebugs use bubbles for protection. Think about how this might help them survive in nature.
Learn about the Dracula ant’s speedy jaws by timing how fast you can snap your fingers. Compare your speed to the ant’s jaw speed. Discuss why speed might be important for survival in the animal kingdom.
Create your own animal with unique features like the Ayam Cemani chicken or the glowing stoplight loosejaw fish. Draw your animal and explain how its special features help it survive in its environment.
Explore the concept of pressure by using a plastic bottle and water. Squeeze the bottle to simulate deep-sea pressure and observe what happens. Discuss how animals like the Mariana snailfish adapt to such extreme conditions.
Choose an animal with a unique habit, like the Amazon pink river dolphin or the African lungfish. Act out a day in the life of your chosen animal, showcasing its special abilities and habits. Share with the class how these habits help the animal survive.
Nature – All the plants, animals, and other things in the world that are not made by people – Nature provides us with beautiful forests and clean air to breathe.
Insects – Small animals with six legs and usually wings, like ants and butterflies – Insects play a crucial role in pollinating flowers and helping plants grow.
Animals – Living creatures that can move and react to the world around them – Animals like lions and elephants are often found in the wild savannas of Africa.
Ocean – A large body of saltwater that covers most of the Earth’s surface – The ocean is home to many fascinating creatures like whales and sea turtles.
Creatures – Any living beings, especially animals – The deep sea is full of mysterious creatures that scientists are still discovering.
Diet – The kinds of food that a person, animal, or community habitually eats – A panda’s diet mainly consists of bamboo, which it eats almost all day long.
Frogs – Small animals with smooth skin that live both in water and on land – Frogs are known for their ability to jump long distances and their croaking sounds.
Dolphins – Intelligent marine mammals known for their playful behavior – Dolphins often swim alongside boats and are known for their friendly nature.
Plants – Living organisms that grow in the ground and use sunlight to make their food – Plants like sunflowers and roses add beauty to our gardens and provide oxygen.
Survival – The ability to continue living or existing, especially in difficult conditions – Animals in the wild have to adapt to their environment for survival.
