Tag: animals

Creature Feature

Creature Feature: Who Has an Ear for Cool Technology?

Our Creature Feature series is a result of collaborations between education and citizen science. In this post, the Biomimicry Institute describes how jackrabbits stay cool. By Dimitri Smirnoff and Jeanette Lim  If you lived in Death Valley, how would you stay cool? In a place where summer temperatures average a staggering 46˚ C (116˚ F) staying cool can be a challenge for any critter! Humans have … Continue reading Creature Feature: Who Has an Ear for Cool Technology?

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Creature Feature, Current Event Connection

Meet the Coywolf

SCIENCE It is rare for a new animal species to emerge in front of scientists’ eyes. But this seems to be happening in eastern North America. (The Economist) Use our resources to learn more about coywolves. Discussion Ideas The Economist article makes a case that the so-called coywolf is “greater than the sum of its parts.” Its parts include the DNA from three distinct species. … Continue reading Meet the Coywolf

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Current Event Connection, Geography In the News

Why Australia Has to Kill 2 Million Cats

ENVIRONMENT The cull isn’t part of some cruel anti-cat agenda. (Washington Post) Feral cats are actually fierce feline predators responsible for killing more than a billion small mammals and birds each year. Watch our Crittercam video to see how a game of cat-and-mouse really plays out . . . Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers’ Toolkit. Discussion Ideas … Continue reading Why Australia Has to Kill 2 Million Cats

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Current Event Connection, Geography In the News

Animals Run Wild in Chernobyl

ENVIRONMENT Removing humans from the exclusion zone around the damaged Chernobyl nuclear reactor has allowed wildlife to return. (BBC) What happened at Chernobyl? Use our resources to find out. Discussion Ideas The entire human population around the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Station was evacuated in 1986. Why? Take a look at our short article on the disaster for some help. According to our article, “workers in … Continue reading Animals Run Wild in Chernobyl

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Current Event Connection, Geography In the News

World’s First ‘Glowing’ Reptile!

SCIENCE Scientists diving recently near the Solomon Islands made an illuminating discovery: The first biofluorescent sea turtle ever recorded. (Nat Geo News) Learn how animals get that certain glow with our explainer on bioluminescence. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers’ Toolkit, including today’s MapMaker Interactive map. Discussion Ideas Researchers describe “biofluorescence” in the hawksbill sea turtle, but our … Continue reading World’s First ‘Glowing’ Reptile!

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