Last week, we focused on expressing gratitude for items and experiences that begin with the letter L. Today, we invite you to share something you are thankful for that starts with the letter M. Your contributions can help foster a spirit of appreciation and reflection.
I'm grateful for the Moon. What are you grateful for that begins with the letter M?
Sloth Facts
Sloths are very slow when they move, but they are super cute!! Did you know that without the Extinct Giant Ground Sloth, we would not have avocados today? Yep, that is correct!! If you love avocados, we owe thanks to the extinct Ground Giant Sloths. They were one of a few mammals that could swallow a whole avocado, and the seed would come out in their waste. They would leave seeds wherever they traveled, and those seeds would turn into beautiful avocado trees. How cool is that?
What is your favorite type of animal?
Facts about
sloths:
1. Sloths
may be slow, but they sure are strong! Sloths are about 3 times as strong as an
average human. Sloths have potent arms!
2. Sloths
are primarily nocturnal. They have very poor vision and can only see in black and white, which means they are color blind. They can’t see anything at all in bright lights and can barely see anything in dim lights.
3. Sloths
spend most of their time in trees. Sometimes, they take a break from the trees
and go for a swim. Sloths can move faster in the water than they can on land. They
can hold their breath for up to 40 minutes underwater. Sloths are super incredible
mammals.
4. Sloths
have four stomachs and a large four-chamber stomach. It can take a sloth up to 1
month to digest a meal. Sloths have the slowest digestion time of any mammal.
5. Sloths
live, on average, about 20 years in the wild and up to 50 years in captivity.
6. Sloths
are classified as herbivores, but they have been known to eat bird eggs, lizards, fruits, and insects on occasion. Their main diet consists of leaves, twigs,
flowers, and buds.
7. Sloths live
in the rainforests of Central and South America.
8. There are
six species of sloths, and they are divided into two groups: the two-toed and three-toed sloth.
Can you
share a fact about sloths with us?
Books about
sloths:
1. Sensory
Seeking Sloth: by Jennifer Jones
2. Sloths
(Nature's Children) by Josh Gregory
3. A Little
Book of Sloth by Lucy Cooke
4. Sloan the
Sloth Loves Being Different: by Misty Black
Parents ensure books are child-friendly before reading them to their/children.
Kangaroo Facts
Did you know that Kangaroos have strong hind legs and jump almost everywhere they go? Their tail acts as a fifth leg to help them jump higher. They can also walk on all four feet if they have to, but they prefer to hop!
Can a kangaroo jump higher than the Empire State Building? Leave a comment with your answer.
Facts about kangaroos:
1. Kangaroos are often referred to as roos. A female
kangaroo is called a flyer, doe, or Jill. A male kangaroo is called a boomer, buck, or Jack. A baby kangaroo is called a Joey! A group of kangaroos is called a mob
or a troop.
2. Kangaroos can swim, but they can’t walk backward.
3. There are four species of kangaroos; the Antilopine
kangaroo (Macropus antilopinus), the Eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus),
the Red kangaroo (Macropus rufus), and the Western grey kangaroo (Macropus
fuliginosus).
4. Most kangaroos are herbivores. They eat plants, flowers,
grasses, moss, and some insects.
5. Kangaroos can cover up to 25 feet or more in one leap and jump straight up to 6 feet high.
6. Kangaroos can weigh up to 200 pounds and be as tall as 7
feet. Kangaroos are the world’s largest
marsupials. The Red kangaroo is the largest of the different types of
kangaroo.
7. Kangaroos live in Australia and New Guinea.
8. Kangaroos can live up to 10 years in the wild and 25 years in captivity.
Can you share a fact about kangaroos with us?
Books about kangaroos:
1. Kangaroos (Amazing Animals) by Kate Riggs
2. Does a Kangaroo Have a Mother, Too? by Eric Carle
3. Jump, Kangaroo, Jump! (MathStart 3) by Stuart Murphy
4. Kangaroos for Kids by Judith Lehne
5. Never Touch a Kangaroo! by Stuart Lynch
6. Kylie Kangaroo's Karate Kickers by Barbara deRubertis
Parents, be sure books are child-friendly before reading them
to your child/children.
Mice Facts
Today is a great day to learn! Learning is good for the brain; you are never too old to learn new things! Keep your brain healthy and
learn something new every day!
Today, I'm going to tell you a little about mice. Some people have
mice as pets. Mice are fascinating little creatures but can also be
pesky little critters. Winter is approaching fast, and mice try to find warm
places to live. Mice can squeeze through tiny holes or other openings in
your home by flattening out their bodies. Mice have a collapsible ribcage, which makes their ribs flex much more than any other mammal, and that is how
they can fit through tiny holes and other small openings.
Mice are adorable, but I don’t like sharing a home
with them!! Do you like mice?
Facts about mice:
1. Mice have poor eyesight, but once they learn to maneuver through an area, they never forget it.
2. Mice have excellent hearing and a perfect sense of
smell.
3. Mice communicate by squeaking, chirping, and singing to
other mice. They also use their noses, ears, and bodies to communicate.
4. Mice are excellent climbers who jump up to 12 inches
or more!
5. Mice are nocturnal critters. They do not like bright
lights.
6. Mice are omnivores. They eat plants and other animals.
7. Mice love to chew and gnaw on stuff because their teeth
never stop growing. To prevent their teeth from growing too long, they grind their teeth on tough foods and chew and gnaw on other stuff.
8. Mice have good memories. They can remember their way in and out of homes and their family.
Can you share a fact about mice with us?
Books about mice:
1. Pet Mice - Your Pet Mouse Happy Care Guide by Ben Little
2. The Kitten Who Thought He Was a Mouse by Miriam Norton
3. The Mouse in the House by Dori Bush
4. National Geographic Readers: Squeak! by Rose Davidson
Parents make sure books are child-friendly before reading them to their/children.
Pink Flamingo Facts
What do you know about the fascinating Pink Flamingos? Do you know why Flamingos are different shades of pink, red, or orange? Their
coloring all depends on their location and the food they eat. They are born a
dull white or gray color and turn pink because of what they eat. Their diet
includes algae, small insects, plants, plankton, shrimps, and tiny
crustaceans. Their pink coloring comes from the beta-carotene in the food they
eat.
What is your favorite type of bird?
Facts about Pink Flamingos:
1. There are six species of flamingos. The six species include the Greater Flamingo, the Chilean Flamingo, the Lesser Flamingo, the Andean Flamingo, the Puna (James’s) Flamingo, and the Caribbean (American) Flamingo. Four of the Flamingo species are found throughout the Americas and the Caribbeans, and the other two are native to Europe, Asia, and Africa.
2. Pink Flamingos can weigh up to 8 pounds and get up to
5 feet tall.
3. Pink Flamingos live in large shallow lakes and lagoons.
They build their nests out of mud along the waterways.
4. Flamingos sleep with their heads on their backs and
standing on one leg. They can sleep standing up or lying down.
5. Pink Flamingos eat with their heads upside down. They place their heads in the water upside down and sweep their bills side to side until
they get food.
6. A group/flock of Flamingos is called a flamboyant. A
baby Flamingo is called a hatchling, chick, or chicklet. Adult Flamingos are
referred to as male or female Flamingos.
7. A Pink Flamingo can live up to 30 years in the wild and
up to 50 years in captivity.
8. Flamingos can fly
up to 370 miles a night at a speed of up to 37 miles per hour! They fly primarily at night to avoid predators.
Can you share a fact about Pink Flamingos with us?
Check out my YouTube video about flamingos:
Books about Pink Flamingos:
1. Flamingos by Victoria Blakemore
2. Flamingo Activity Book for Kids: by Activity Slayer
3. Facts About the Flamingo by Lisa Strattin
4. Flora and the Flamingo by Molly Idle
6. Sylvie: The Colorful Flamingo by Jennifer Sattler
Last week, we dedicated our efforts to expressing gratitude for items and experiences that begin with the letter K. Today, we invite you to contribute by sharing something for which you are thankful that starts with the letter L. Your reflections will help cultivate an environment of appreciation and mindfulness. Thank you for your participation.
I'm thankful for leaves. What are you thankful for that starts with the letter L?
They flutter, crunch, swirl, and change colors, but leaves are more than just tree fashion. They’re the hard-working, shape-shifting superheroes of the plant world!
Let’s branch out into their world and uncover the leafy secrets hiding in plain sight.
Rainbow Eucalyptus Tree Facts
Have you ever heard of the Rainbow Eucalyptus Trees? I just found out they existed last night. They are wonderful.
Rainbow Eucalyptus trees grow mainly in New Guinea, the Southeast Asian islands, the Philippines, and Indonesia. The Rainbow Eucalyptus tree
thrives best in tropical forests with a lot of rain. You can also find
Rainbow Eucalyptus trees in Hawaii, Florida, Texas, and southern portions of
California, where the climate is frost-free. They can grow up to 200 feet tall, and the tree trunk can reach a diameter of up to 8 feet wide!! That is
tall and wide!!
Facts about the Rainbow Eucalyptus tree:
1. The Rainbow Eucalyptus tree is also known as the Mindanao
gum tree and the Bagras Eucalyptus.
2. The wood from the trees is commonly used for making paper
and building supplies.
3. The Rainbow Eucalyptus tree will not grow in cold
climates.
4. The Rainbow Eucalyptus tree can grow about 3 feet yearly.
5. Koala Bears love eating the fragrant leaves from the tree.
6. When the beautiful, colorful Rainbow Eucalyptus sheds its bark, it looks similar to a colored pencil being sharpened. As it sheds its bark, it first reveals a green bark, and over time, it ages into many different colors, such as shades of blue, orange, purple, reds, yellows, and brown.
7. Rainbow Eucalyptus trees are sometimes planted in areas
with many swampy regions to help keep the mosquitos and other insects away.
8. The spear-shaped leaves on a Rainbow Eucalyptus tree can
be as long as 6 inches and up to 4 inches wide. The tree also grows clusters of
small white flowers.
With your parent/caretaker's permission, google the Rainbow Eucalyptus tree and see how beautifully designed these trees are!!
What is your favorite kind of tree?
Books about Rainbows and trees:
1. One Day in the Eucalyptus, Eucalyptus Tree by Daniel
Bernstrom
2. The Rainbow Tree by Leon Shargel
3. Trees, Leaves & Bark by Diane Burns
4. The Legend of the Singing Rainbow Gum Tree by Taryn
Klanot
5. The Hidden Rainbow by Christie Matheson
6. A Tree Is a Plant by Clyde Bulla
Parents, be sure books are child-friendly before reading them
to your child/children.
🌿 Prickly but Adorable: Fun Facts About Hedgehogs! Have you ever come across a creature that resembles a walking pincushion, complete wit...
