ANIMAL SMARTS
Can an elephant jump?
You guessed it! African elephants never evolved the ability to jump!
- Most animals who jump, such as kangaroos and monkeys, do so to get away from predators. Elephants use their large bodies and keep together in herds as a form of protection.
- Unlike most mammals, African elephant’s leg bones are pointed downward, which means they don’t have enough spring to push off the ground.
Actually, African elephants never evolved the ability to jump!
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- Most animals who jump, such as kangaroos and monkeys, do so to get away from predators. Elephants use their large bodies and keep together in herds as a form of protection.
- Unlike most mammals, African elephant’s leg bones are pointed downward, which means they don’t have enough spring to push off the ground.
ANIMAL SMARTS
Some monarch butterflies will travel as far as 3,000 miles.
Correct! Each fall, millions of monarchs head for their wintering grounds. Those in the West head for the coast of California. Those in the East and Midwest fly to a forest in the mountains of Mexico.
It's true! Each fall, millions of monarchs head for their wintering grounds. Those in the West head for the coast of California. Those in the East and Midwest fly to a forest in the mountains of Mexico.
Watch a Monarch Caterpillar
ANIMAL SMARTS
Butterflies can fly in any temperature
Butterflies are cold-blooded, meaning they cannot regulate their own body temperature. This means that if butterflies get too cold, they won't be able to fly until they can warm up their muscles again. Butterflies can fly in temperatures ranging from 60-108 degrees Fahrenheit, but below 60 gets too cold for butterflies to fly.
Butterflies are cold-blooded, meaning they cannot regulate their own body temperature. This means that if butterflies get too cold, they won't be able to fly until they can warm up their muscles again. Butterflies can fly in temperatures ranging from 60-108 degrees Fahrenheit, but below 60 gets too cold for butterflies to fly.
False
ANIMAL SMARTS
A giraffe has the same number of neck bones as people.
You're right! A giraffe is the tallest land animal on Earth. Its neck alone can be as long as an adult human is tall. But it has only seven neck bones—the same number you have!
It's true! A giraffe is the tallest land animal on Earth. Its neck alone can be as long as an adult human is tall. But it has only seven neck bones—the same number you have!
Watch giraffes in action
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The coolest stars in the sky are red, while the hottest stars are blue.
You guessed it! Blue stars are usually hotter. Seems like it would be the opposite, but blue light (shorter wavelengths) is more energetic and hotter than red (longer wavelengths).
Actually, Blue stars are usually hotter. Seems like it would be the opposite, but blue light (shorter wavelengths) is more energetic and hotter than red (longer wavelengths).
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ANIMAL SMARTS
All honey bees make the same flavor of honey.
It's false! The kind of flower the bees collect sweet nectar from will determine the honey's flavor.
You're right! The kind of flower the bees collect sweet nectar from will determine the honey's flavor.
Watch Honey Bees in Action
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All bees have stingers
ANIMAL SMARTS
Baby squirrels are called pups.
Actually, baby squirrels are called kits or kittens.
You got it! Baby squirrels are called kits or kittens.
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ANIMAL SMARTS
Butterflies taste with their feet.
You're right! Butterflies have taste receptors on their feet, and they use their feet to find the best places to eat.
It's true! Butterflies have taste receptors on their feet, and they use their feet to find the best places to eat.
Learn about Monarch Butterflies