Animals live all over the world, from the freezing Antarctic to the wide-open plains of the Serengeti. To help them survive in these different places, many animals form groups. But why do they do this, and how does it help them survive?
Some animals live in really cold places and form groups to stay warm. For example, emperor penguins live in Antarctica, one of the coldest places on Earth. It can get as cold as -50 degrees Celsius there, and the winds are super strong. To keep warm, penguins huddle together in big groups. They take turns being in the middle, where it’s warmest, and on the outside, where it’s coldest.
When animals form groups, they can find food more easily. They might even gather more food than if they were alone, and then they share it with each other. For example, ants work together to search for food over large areas. When one ant finds food, it tells the others where to find it. Lions also hunt in groups to catch their prey, and then they share the meal with everyone in the group.
Some animals, like zebras, gazelles, and wildebeest, live in big groups to avoid predators. If a predator attacks, it’s harder for them to catch just one animal in a big group. Moving together also confuses predators, making it tough for them to focus on a single target.
Living in large groups makes it easier for animals to find a mate and have babies. Older animals in the group can help take care of the young ones. This way, some members can go look for food while others keep the babies safe. Young animals also learn important skills from others in the group, like how to hide from predators or find food. They often play together, which helps them practice the skills they’ll need as adults.
There are many more examples of animals forming groups. Can you think of any? How do you think living in a group helps animals survive? Thanks for reading, and see you next time!
Penguin Huddle Experiment: Try a fun experiment to understand how penguins stay warm. Gather a group of friends or family members and stand in a circle. Take turns being in the middle and on the outside of the circle. Discuss how it feels to be in the middle compared to the outside. Why do you think penguins take turns in real life?
Ant Food Hunt Game: Play a game to learn how ants work together to find food. Hide small treats or toys around a room or yard. Divide into teams and pretend to be ants. One “ant” finds a treat and then guides the rest of the team to it. Talk about how teamwork helps ants find food faster. How did working together make it easier to find the treats?
Animal Group Observation: Next time you visit a park or watch a nature documentary, observe animals that are in groups. Draw or write about what you see. How do the animals help each other? What do you think would happen if they were alone? Share your observations with your class or family.
**Sanitized Transcript:**
[Music] Animals can be found in all regions of the Earth, from the icy Antarctic to the open plains of the Serengeti. To help them survive in their environments, many animals form groups. So, how can forming groups help animals survive?
Some animals that live in cold habitats form groups to stay warm. Emperor penguins live in one of the coldest habitats on Earth, the Antarctic, where temperatures can drop as low as -50 degrees Celsius and strong winds are common. The penguins huddle together in large groups to keep warm, rotating between the inside of the group, where it is the warmest, and the outside, where it is the coldest.
When animals form groups, they can increase their chances of finding food. It may also allow them to gather more food than they would as individuals, which can then be shared among the group. Groups of insects, like ants, are able to search for food over a large area. When members of the group find food, they signal to others, directing them to the food source. Lions often work together in groups to catch and kill their prey, which is then shared with all group members.
Some African herbivores, like zebras, gazelles, and wildebeest, live and move about in large groups to evade predators. When under attack, there is a greater chance of survival for individual animals. Moving in large groups also confuses predators, making it difficult for them to focus on just one animal.
Living in large groups often makes it easier for animals to find a mate and reproduce. Older members of the group can help raise each other’s young, allowing time for different members to search for food while knowing their young are kept safe. Living in groups also helps young animals learn from others. They may learn to hide from predators or hunt for food. Young animals in groups often play with each other, developing the skills they will need to survive as adults.
What are some other examples of animals forming groups? How does living in a group help animals survive? See you next time! Don’t forget to subscribe.
