Facts about Iowa

Learn facts about Iowa for kids.

Last week, we posted facts about Indiana. This week, we're sharing some interesting facts about Iowa. You will learn about Iowa's state flag, bird, and other facts.

Iowa, the 29th state to join the United States, officially became part of the union on December 28, 1846. Situated in the heart of the Midwest, Iowa has a diverse landscape characterized by rolling hills, fertile plains, and numerous rivers. It shares its borders with six states: Minnesota to the north, Wisconsin to the northeast, Illinois to the east, Missouri to the south, Nebraska to the west, and South Dakota to the northwest. 

In terms of land size, Iowa ranks as the twenty-sixth largest state in the country, covering an area of approximately 56,272 square miles. This sizable area contributes significantly to its substantial agricultural output, with Iowa being one of the leading states in the production of corn and soybeans. 

According to the latest estimates, Iowa has a population of approximately 3,193,079 residents, reflecting its significance in terms of both land area and demographic presence. The state boasts a mix of urban and rural communities, with Des Moines as its capital and largest city, known for its vibrant arts scene and cultural attractions. Overall, Iowa plays a pivotal role in the Midwest's and the nation's economic landscape.

Hugh Swanson Sidey, an accomplished author known for his insightful writings, was born in Iowa. His literary works often reflect his Midwestern roots and experiences, contributing to his distinctive voice in literature.

 

Cool facts about Iowa:

Facts about the Ili pika

Ili Pika Facts 

Today, I want to tell you guys all about the Ili Pika. Have you ever heard of an Ili pika before? It is the cutest mammal ever. It looks like a teddy bear. It is so fluffy and cute. The Ili pika is known by its scientific name, the Ochotona iliensis. The Ili pika was discovered by a scientist named Li Weindong in 1983. The Ili pika was found in the Tianshan Mountains, Northwestern China. The Ili pika is very rare and endangered. There is not a lot known about this cute, adorable creature. With your parent/caretaker’s permission, google the Ili pika and see how delightful and fluffy it is.

 

What is your favorite mammal?

 

Facts about the Ili pika:

1. The Ili pika is an herbivore. They eat weeds, grasses, plants, and other vegetation. Ili pikas store food for the winter, but they do not hibernate.

2. There are about 30 species of pikas. Here is a list of some of the names of the different pikas:

• Chinese red pika
• Forrest’s pika
• Ladak pika
• Plateau pika
• Royle’s Pika
• Steppe pika
• Yellow pika

3. The Ili pika is mainly diurnal, which means it is active during the daytime hours. Some Ili pikas may be active during the night if necessary.

4. The Ili pika can get up to eight (8) inches tall and weigh up to about 8.5 ounces.

5. Ili pikas can live up to seven (7) years.

6. Ili pikas live in the holes of the rocky areas of the Tianshan Mountains in the Northwestern part of China. They can survive cold temperatures.

7. Some people say that the Ili pika resembles a short-eared rabbit, which is why it has been nicknamed the magic bunny. Ili pikas have short legs and rounded ears.

 

Share a fact about the Ili Pika with us:

 

 

 

Get your free printable Ili Pika coloring sheet here:

 Ili Pika coloring sheet

 

Visit my printable section for a wide selection of worksheets and coloring sheets!

 

 

Books about pikas:

1. The Ili Pikas: Lickerty Split and Hoppity Joy by Pamela Valemont

2. Pikas Wild Animals Edition by James Willoughby

3. It's Nice to Be a Pika by Molly Woodward

4. Pika's Day by Lisa Swain

Parents/caretakers, be sure books are child-friendly before reading them to your child/children.

 

 

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Facts about Japanese dwarf flying squirrels

Japanese Dwarf Flying Squirrel Facts

I love watching the squirrels play while sitting in my backyard! Yesterday, I learned about the Japanese dwarf flying squirrel and would like to share the facts with you. Have you ever heard about this cute little squirrel before? If not, now is your chance to learn something new today.

These cute and fluffy little creatures are native to Japan. The Japanese dwarf flying squirrel lives in the forests of the Honshu and Kyushu islands. There are over 50 different species of flying squirrels in the world, and these cute, fluffy little critters are one of them.

 

Facts about Japanese dwarf flying squirrels:

1. The Japanese dwarf flying squirrel can get up to almost 8 inches tall or less and weigh up to half of a pound or less. A half of a pound is 8 ounces. That is tiny!

2. The Japanese dwarf flying squirrel is an herbivore. Herbivores eat primarily plants and other vegetation, such as fruits, leaves, flowers, tree bark, and seeds. Occasionally, they may even eat some insects if they get hungry enough.

3. The Japanese dwarf flying squirrel doesn’t actually fly. It glides. It can glide from tree to tree while hunting for food to eat. It can glide distances of up to 300 feet, sometimes more and sometimes less, depending on the Japanese dwarf flying squirrel.

4. The Japanese dwarf flying squirrel is nocturnal, which means it is mainly awake at night. At night, it hunts for its food. During the day, it rests in its nests or holes in the trees.

5. The scientific name for the Japanese dwarf flying squirrel is Pteromys momonga.

6. The Japanese dwarf flying squirrel is a mammal. A female can give birth to two to five baby flying squirrels during each mating season.

 

Share a fact about Japanese dwarf flying squirrels with us?

 

Get your free printable Japanese dwarf flying squirrel’s worksheet here:

 Japanese flying squirrel coloring sheet

Visit my printables section for a wide selection of worksheets and coloring sheets!

 

 

 

Books about flying squirrels:

1. Cyril The Flying Squirrel by Melinda Kinsman

2. The Fantastic Flying Squirrel by Nic Bishop

3. Flying Squirrels by Judith Jango-Cohen

4. Nature's gliders: The flying squirrels by Ralph Buxton

(I was unable to locate any books specifically about the Japanese dwarf flying squirrels)

Parents/caretakers, be sure books are child-friendly before reading them to your child/children.

 

 

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Mimi is the author of the JOEY SAVES THE DAY! book series. 

Facts about Indiana

Learn facts about Indiana for kids.

Last week, we posted facts about Illinois. This week, we're sharing some interesting facts about Indiana. You will learn about Indiana's state flag, bird, and other facts.

Indiana became the 19th state to join the United States when it was officially admitted to the Union on December 11, 1816. This Midwestern state is situated in the northeastern part of the Midwest and shares its borders with four neighboring states: Illinois to the west, Kentucky to the south, Ohio to the east, and Michigan to the north. Additionally, Indiana has a significant geographical feature along its northwest border—Lake Michigan, one of the Great Lakes —which plays a crucial role in the state's economy and tourism.

Covering an area of approximately 36,420 square miles, Indiana ranks as the 38th largest state in the nation. The state's diverse landscapes include farmlands, forests, and urban centers, contributing to its rich cultural and economic tapestry. As of the latest estimates, Indiana is home to around 6,805,985 residents, making it the 17th most populous state in the U.S.

One of Indiana’s most iconic figures is the legendary pop star Michael Jackson, who was born in the city of Gary. His upbringing in Indiana has influenced his music and career, ensuring that the state remains a notable part of his legacy. Indiana's contributions to American culture extend beyond Jackson, with a history enriched by its industries, innovations, and a vibrant arts scene.

Facts about Indiana:

Facts about Shoebill Storks

Facts About the Shoebill Stork

Are you ready to learn some cool facts about Shoebill storks? I recently stumbled upon some fascinating information about Shoebill storks. While scrolling through Facebook, I found a post featuring these extraordinary birds and couldn't believe they were real. After delving into some research and learning more about them, I was astonished to discover that they are genuine avian wonders. These tall and remarkable birds are intricately linked to pelicans and herons, and their distinctive appearance sets them apart as genuinely captivating creatures.

 

"Have you ever had the opportunity to observe a Shoebill stork?"

 

Facts about Shoebill storks:

1. "Balaeniceps rex, commonly referred to as the Shoebill, is a unique bird species often known as the Shoebill stork and whalehead."

Facts about Grackles

Grackle Facts

 

Chirp! Chirp! Have you heard about the Grackles? Grackles are shiny-looking blackbirds. 11 species of grackles live in different parts of the world. This year, we were blessed to have not one but three grackle nests in a tree in our front yard. In one of the nests, there were three baby grackles. We watched them from our kitchen window, where they were being fed by adult birds. When the baby birds were hungry, they would chirp very loudly. One day, we noticed the baby birds trying to hop out of their nest. A few days later, we spotted them perching on branches of the tree near their nest. The next day, one of the baby grackles was on the ground hopping around. Two adult grackles were close by watching. We got to experience a baby grackle learning to fly. It was amazing.

 

The baby grackle hopped over to the bushes in our front yard and got behind them. It would run back and forth behind the bushes while trying to fly. It would lift up off the ground. Then, it would drop down, run, and fly a little. It flew up on our front porch step and stood there looking around. Then it flew onto the ground and ran/hopped towards our fence. On top of the rail sat two adult grackles watching the baby grackle trying to learn to fly. One of the adult grackles flew down to the ground and tried to show the baby grackle how to get under the fence. The adult grackle walked under the wall twice, showing the baby how to do it. It took two tries for the baby grackle to get under our fence. While in the backyard, the baby grackle reminded me of a toddler running back and forth, learning to walk. The baby grackle learned to fly within three days, and so did the other two. It was amazing watching them and seeing them learn to fly. The most impressive part of this experience was how the adult grackles looked after their babies! If you ever see a fledgling on the ground learning to fly, don’t approach it. It is not in trouble. It is learning to fly. 

Baby grackle under the tree!

Baby grackle behind the bushes and flower pots.

Baby Grackle learning to fly!

 

Are there grackles in the state where you reside?

 

Facts about grackles:

1. A group of grackles is called a flock or plague. Grackles are social and prefer to live and travel in groups. Some grackles migrate during the winter months, and some do not.

2. Grackles are omnivores. Omnivores means that they eat plants and meat sources for food. Some food grackles eat are berries, seeds, fruits, insects, frogs, mice, and eggs.

3. A baby grackle is referred to as a chick, nestling, or a fledgling.

4. Some grackles have been known to live about 22 years in the wild.  

5. Grackles can weigh as much as 7 ounces, depending on the type. Some grackles can be as tall as 18 inches.

6. A female grackle can lay up to seven eggs. Could you imagine 7 little chirping grackles?

7. Here is a list of the eleven (11) types of grackles in alphabetical order:

• Carib grackle
• Boat-tailed grackle
• Colombian mountain grackle
• Common grackle
• Golden tufted grackle
• Great-tailed grackle
• Greater Antillean grackle
• Nicaraguan grackle
• Red-bellied grackle
• Slender billed grackle
• Velvet-fronted grackle

 Share a fact about grackles with us?

Baby grackle

 

Get your free printable grackle coloring/worksheet here:

Grackles alphabet worksheet 

 

Visit my printable section for a wide selection of worksheets and coloring sheets!

 

Books about grackles:

1. Gracie Grackle by Mikko Macchione

2. Boat-tailed grackle by William Post

3. FRITZ the Uncommon Grackle by Lilianne White

4. Bad Birds of North America by Jack Wilcox

Parents/caretakers, be sure books are child-friendly before reading them to your child/children.

 

Thank you for reading my post!! 

 

Check out my free printable coloring pages and worksheets! 

http://www.joeysavestheday.com/p/printables.html

Follow me on Instagram

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Like and follow my author page

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Check out my books here:

http://www.joeysavestheday.com/p/blog-page_16.html

If you are an author and would like to feature your book on my website, please check out my feature book section here:

http://www.joeysavestheday.com/p/book-of-day.html

 

Mimi is the author of the JOEY SAVES THE DAY! book series. 

Facts about Illinois

Learn facts about Illinois for kids.

Last week, we unveiled empowering facts about... Idaho. This week, we will share interesting facts about Illinois, including its flag, state bird, and other notable features.

Did you know that Illinois was the 21st state to join the United States? Officially, Illinois became a state on December 13, 1818, marking a significant milestone in its history. Situated in the Midwestern region of the country, it shares its borders with five different states: Indiana to the east, Kentucky to the southeast, Missouri to the southwest, Iowa to the west, and Wisconsin to the north. To the northeast, Illinois is also graced by the shores of Lake Michigan, one of the five Great Lakes of North America, which plays a vital role in the state's recreation and economy.

Covering an area of approximately 57,914 square miles, Illinois ranks as the 25th largest state in the United States by land size. It is also known for its diverse geography, ranging from rolling prairies and farmland to urban centers. The state is relatively populous, boasting an estimated population of about 12,671,460 residents, making it one of the most populous states in the nation. Illinois is home to major cities like Chicago, the third-largest city in the United States, which serves as a cultural, economic, and political hub. Throughout its history, Illinois has been a significant contributor to various sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing, and transportation, thereby substantially enhancing the overall development of the American Midwest.

Interestingly, Walter Elias Disney, better known as Walt Disney, was born in Chicago, Illinois.

 

Facts about Illinois: