Hey there! Today, we’re going on an exciting adventure to learn about caves and the amazing animals that live in them. Our friends, Mister Brown and Squeaks, just got an invitation to visit Sam the Bat and his family in their cave. Let’s find out what they need to know before they go!
Caves are special places where many animals make their homes. They can be found all over the world and come in different types. Some caves are wet, while others are dry. Just like forests and coral reefs, caves are a type of habitat. A habitat is a place where living things live and thrive.
Many animals call caves their home. Some, like bats, sleep in caves during the day and come out at night. Others live so deep inside the caves that they never come out. Let’s meet a few of these fascinating creatures:
Did you notice something interesting about these animals? They don’t have eyes! That’s because they don’t need to see in the dark caves. Instead, they use other senses to understand their surroundings. A sense is how living creatures learn about the world around them, like seeing, hearing, or tasting.
Let’s try an experiment! Close your eyes or turn off the lights in your room. What can you hear? Maybe your breath or the wind outside? You can also feel the temperature or touch things around you. Even without sight, you can learn a lot about your environment.
Animals in caves are adapted to their dark habitats. This means they have special body parts or characteristics that help them live there. Even though they can’t see, they use other senses to find food, move around, and stay safe from predators. They might use their sense of smell or feel with their legs to navigate their world.
Now that we know more about caves and their animals, Mister Brown and Squeaks are ready to visit Sam the Bat. Maybe they’ll even meet an olm! Thanks for joining us on this adventure to learn about cave animals and their unique senses. If you have more questions, you can ask a grown-up to help you reach out to SciShow Kids. Happy exploring!
Blindfolded Exploration: Try a fun activity where you and a friend take turns being blindfolded. The person who is not blindfolded will guide the blindfolded person around a safe area using only their voice. Can you find your way around using just your sense of hearing and touch? This will help you understand how cave animals use their other senses to navigate their dark homes.
Create a Cave Habitat: Use a shoebox or a small cardboard box to create your own cave habitat. You can use clay or paper to make little models of cave animals like bats, olms, or spiders. Think about what these animals might need in their cave, like places to hide or hang from. This activity will help you imagine what life is like for animals living in caves.
Observation Walk: Go on a walk with a grown-up and try to find places that are similar to caves, like under a big rock or inside a hollow tree. What animals do you see there? How do you think they use their senses to live in these dark places? Write down or draw what you find and share it with your friends or family.
