Newton's Apple Animals
Newton's Apple Animals
Naturalist Nancy Gibson, host David Heil, and field reporter Peggy Knapp, meet some fascinating animals in season 12.
The first thing you notice about a hedgehog is its pincushion of quills. To protect itself, the hedgehog erects its quills by using its strong skin muscles. These muscles also help the hedgehog draw its body into a ball, like pulling a drawstring tight around the opening of a bag. In this curled-up position, the spine-covered skin on the back and sides protect the animal's vulnerable underparts. What predator would want to bother this prickly character! Hedgehogs and other small mammals have inspired writers and artists over the centuries. Authors Beatrix Potter and Lewis Carroll made hedgehogs famous in their children's books. Now you create a story for young children about hedgehogs.Hedgehog
Show 1206Fact or fiction?
What terms come to mind when describing foxes? Wily? Clever? Quick? As the most widespread member of the dog family, the red fox deserves its reputation as a resourceful, opportunistic forager. Surprisingly, the red fox compares with smaller cats in its hunting behavior and certain body features. What techniques would the fox use to hunt rodents, rabbits, mice, fish, or even earthworms? Discuss the advantages of these fox behaviors or characteristics: stalking, surprise attacks, long whiskers, catlike fur-covered paws, semi-retractile claws, and vertical-slit pupils.Red Fox
Show 1211Cunning and wily
Next to its great size, the elephant's most remarkable feature is its trunk. This extended, muscular upper lip (sometimes as wide as three feet at its base) serves as a combination nose, hand, arm, tool, and food and water gatherer. In addition, the trunk greets, caresses, threatens, amplifies vocalization, and works as a snorkel. With it, an elephant can pick up a single leaf or suck up as much as 72-90 liters (19-24 gallons) of water each day. Design an elephant without a trunk, and show how it could perform all the work normally done with a trunk. How many new features did it take to replace the trunk?African Elephants
Show 1201Trunks on the move
The largest of all living lizards, the Komodo dragon grows to 300 centimeters (10 feet) long and weighs up to 135 kilograms (300 pounds). It's well equipped for surviving as the top predator on the small island of Komodo. Because it is a reptile, however, it must thermoregulate its body during the day, increasing or decreasing its temperature to function properly. The critical temperature of 41.7*C (107*F) is the highest temperature the dragon can tolerate. Locate the island of Komodo (see Indonesia) on a map. What techniques could this lizard use to stay within a "preferred temperature range"? A Komodo dragon must travel in search of prey and can eat an entire boar in a quick meal. Predict how it might spend the rest of the day.Komodo Dragon
Show 1209Heating up
Various arrangements of colors, patterns, or shapes mark many snakes' bodies. For some snakes, the color scheme sends a warning: "Poisonous--stay away from me." Other nonpoisonous snakes mimic the appearance of the poisonous snakes by using the same markings to scare away predators. For example, the poisonous coral snake and the docile, nonpoisonous scarlet king snake have similarly marked bodies. Obtain an identification book on snakes. List the differences between poisonous and nonpoisonous snakes in your state. Are some of these snakes considered mimics? Why?Snakes
Show 1210Mimicry
Disruptive coloration, a form of camouflage, helps conceal this large cat within its habitat. The stripes reduce the prey's ability to perceive the outline of the tiger's body. To illustrate this basic principal of coloration, conduct this experiment. Draw a simple animal figure, using three colors. Note that on a white background all three colors are visible. Cut the drawing out and place it against a background that matches any one of its colors. See how the silhouette is altered. Unfortunately, the advantage of its cryptic coat cannot help the endangered tiger survive poaching, loss of habitat, and an increasing human population. Learn more about what is being done to save the Siberian tiger.Siberian Tiger
Show 1207Vanishing before our eyes
As a carnivore and scavenger, the Tasmanian devil has a fierce reputation. Its powerful teeth crush and chew all parts of its prey with ease, even the bones! With gusto it devours carrion or almost any living creature, including sheep and poultry. What other animals have reputations as fierce? List the reasons for your choices. Does the fact that an animal is a predator influence your decision? Why are these "fierce predators" important to the ecosystem and what will determine how well they survive?Tasmanian Devil
Show 1204Ferocious marsupial
With its "spring-loaded" method of locomotion, the wallaby is one of a menagerie of incredible animals living in Australia. The wallaby--and its larger relative, the kangaroo--survive so well on this continent because they have an ample food supply of grasses and leaves, can go long periods of time without water, and have few natural predators. And, of course, their strong, powerful thighs and disproportionately long hind feet allow them to cover a lot of ground. Describe Australia's location, climate, and landscape. Why is it the home of the largest assortment of marsupials in the world?Wallabies
Show 1205Leaping locomotion
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