Hey there! Today, we’re going on an exciting adventure with Squeaks, who is learning all about a fascinating animal called the platypus. Squeaks is pretending to be a platypus for research, and he’s ready to explore the unique place where these animals live.
Platypuses live in a special habitat, which is a place where living things make their home. This habitat is in Australia, a huge and interesting country. By looking at pictures of Earth from space, we can see the different features of Australia, like its water, mountains, and deserts.
One of the most striking parts of Australia is the Outback, known for its reddish-orange ground. This color comes from iron oxide, or rust, which is similar to the red color of Mars! The Outback is a vast area with deserts and unique landscapes, including Uluru, a giant red rock taller than the Eiffel Tower.
Even though the Outback is dry and hot, many animals and plants have adapted to live there. Adaptation means changing to fit the environment better. For example, the Red Kangaroo cools itself by spitting, which works like sweat. The Thorny Devil lizard collects water on its spiky back, and the Giant Centipede comes out at night to avoid the heat.
The Outback is not only home to amazing wildlife but also a great place for testing Mars rovers. Its dry, sandy, and rocky surface is similar to Mars, making it perfect for scientists to try out their space exploration vehicles.
Squeaks is having a blast learning about the Outback and how animals adapt to their environment. If you want to keep exploring with Squeaks and his friends, be sure to join us next time for more fun and learning!
Platypus Pretend Play: Pretend you are a platypus like Squeaks! Create a small habitat in your backyard or a local park. Use a shallow container filled with water to represent a river and gather natural materials like leaves and twigs to build a cozy platypus home. Observe how you can move like a platypus and think about what you would need to survive in this habitat.
Outback Observation Walk: Take a walk with an adult and look for places that remind you of the Outback. Can you find any red soil or rocks? Look for plants and animals that have adapted to your local environment. Draw a picture of what you see and think about how these plants and animals are similar to those in the Outback.
Adaptation Exploration: Choose an animal from the Outback, like the Red Kangaroo or Thorny Devil, and create a simple craft to show how it adapts to its environment. For example, you could use paper and markers to make a kangaroo with a pouch or a lizard with spikes. Share your creation with family or friends and explain how your chosen animal survives in the Outback.
