People have been able to breed certain species of plants and animals to create completely new twists on the original. From miniature poodles to miniature goats, chickens and horses, people are fascinated by smaller versions of animals. Visit a local horse farm or petting zoo to observe both miniature and standard sizes of animals. Why would people want to breed certain characteristics into animals? What about plants? Look into bonsai trees. Visit a florist or botanical garden to see how these trees are grown.
Think of what a pear-nosed bat, mouse-eared bat, long-eared bat, horse-faced bat, horseshoe bat, dog-faced bat, funnel-eared bat, sucker-footed bat, tomb bat or leaf-shinned bat might look like. Try to draw a few. Compare your drawings to pictures of these bats. How close did you come? Pick your favorite bat and investigate how it lives, what it eats and list its enemies. Would a bat make a good pet? Why or why not?
Many people believe the myth that porcupines can throw their quills. A porcupine will raise its quills when threatened but it cannot throw them. Because the quills are loosely attached to their skin, they come off easily when their enemies brush up next to them. How do you think this belief started? Find out what animals prey on porcupines. How do they conquer the quills?
Camels have soft fleshy pads on the bottoms of their feet that keep them from sinking into the soft sand when they walk. Their large feet spread their weight over a larger area, which also makes it easier to walk in desert areas. The next time you are at the beach or in the snow, try walking on snowshoes. If you can't find any snowshoes, try making your own out of tennis rackets or cardboard. Get a feel for how a camel walks. Is it easy or hard to do? Would having four legs make it any easier?
Most llamas spend their days feeding on shrubs, mosses, lichens and grasses. Although they are usually docile, watch out when they get upset! They will spit or actually vomit on an intruder. Camels, vultures and other animals do the same thing. What other ways do animals use to warn you to stay out of their way? Draw pictures of other interesting ways animals get their points across.
When you look at an object, both of your eyes focus on it at the same time. This way of viewing is called binocular vision and helps you judge distances. Although some birds, like owls, also have binocular vision, an eagle's eyes are located on either side of its head. Positioned in this manner, each eye focuses independently so that the eagle can see two images at the same time. This kind of vision, or monocular vision, gives the eagle a wider field of vision. See if you can change your visual perspective. Make a patch and cover one of your eyes. Now try playing catch with a friend. How do your perceptions of distance change? What happens when you try to throw the ball?
When you are out in the woods alone, coming up on a bear can be pretty scary. What lures bears to camp sights? Contact a state park authority to see if there have been any bear sightings. What do they suggest you do if you are surprised by a bear? Learn more about the lifestyles of bears. Do they like to come into the open? How long do they hibernate in the winter? Where do they like to live? Which wild bears are a threat to people? Which ones are not?
Pot belly pigs make excellent pets because they are domesticated and bred to live with people. Other kinds of pigs do not adapt well as pets. Wild or farm pigs kept as pets may become aggressive or grow sick and die. Take a trip to a local pig farm. Observe how the pigs live. Are they clean animals? What kinds of food do they eat? What are the differences between pigs, shoats, gilts, sows and boars?
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