Hi there! Today, we’re going on an exciting adventure to learn about the incredible redwood forests found along the west coast of North America. Even though we can’t visit them just yet, we’re using our computer and art skills to create a model of a redwood tree. This way, we can study and remember all the cool things we’ve learned about these giant trees!
Redwood trees are fascinating! Did you know that baby redwoods can grow right out of the roots of big redwoods? This helps them get all the water they need. We also learned that some plants, like moss, grow on top of the huge branches of redwoods.
Redwood forests are a type of rainforest. They get lots of rain and are often foggy. These forests have layers, like floors in a building, where different plants and animals live. Let’s explore some of the animals that call the redwood forest home!
First, we have the Humboldt squirrel. This squirrel has a special flap of skin that lets it glide from tree to tree, searching for food like bird eggs. It lives in the middle part of the canopy, which is made up mostly of redwood tree branches.
Next, there’s the fisher, a kind of weasel. Despite its name, it doesn’t eat fish and isn’t a cat! Fishers are amazing climbers with claws and hairy feet that help them grip tree bark. They can even turn their ankles halfway around to climb down trees face-first. Fishers stay close to the ground, so we’ll place them on the lower part of the canopy.
Then, we have the wandering salamander. These salamanders need to stay moist, so they live in the shady and damp parts of the canopy. The branches of redwoods create a mat that holds water, making it a perfect home for them. They find plenty of tiny insects to eat there, too!
Finally, there’s the marbled murrelet, a beautiful bird with brown and white speckles. These birds build their nests high up in the canopy. Their colors help them blend in with the sunlight filtering through the leaves, keeping them safe from predators.
Our model tree is looking fantastic with all these animals! It’s a great way to remember what we’ve learned about the redwood forest and its inhabitants. Squeaks and I are excited to learn even more, so we’re off to the library to find more books about redwoods.
Thanks for joining us on this adventure! If you want to keep learning and having fun with us, be sure to subscribe to SciShow Kids. See you next time!
Redwood Tree Observation Walk: Take a walk in your local park or backyard and try to find trees that remind you of redwoods. Look for tall trees and observe their features. Do they have any plants growing on them like moss? Can you spot any animals living in or around the trees? Draw a picture of your favorite tree and write a sentence about why it reminds you of a redwood.
Create a Mini Redwood Forest: Use craft materials like paper towel rolls, green paper, and clay to create a mini redwood forest. Make tall trees with branches and add small animals like squirrels and birds. Think about where each animal would live in your forest. Would they be high up in the branches or closer to the ground? Share your forest with a friend or family member and explain why you placed the animals where you did.
Animal Role Play: Pretend to be one of the animals from the redwood forest. How would you move if you were a Humboldt squirrel gliding from tree to tree? Or a fisher climbing down a tree? Try acting out how these animals move and what they might do in their forest home. Ask a friend or family member to guess which animal you are pretending to be.
