Facts About Dragonflies

Dragonfly Facts

Today, I am going to share some quick facts about the beautiful and whimsical dragonflies. Dragonflies are flying insects. Did you know that there are over 5,000 species of dragonflies all over the world? Can you guess which continents dragonflies live on? Yes, you guessed it right. Dragonflies are present on every continent except Antarctica. Some scientists say that dragonflies have been here long before dinosaurs ruled the earth!

 

What is your favorite type of dragonfly?

 

With your parent/caretaker’s permission, you can click on the link below to see some pictures of dragonflies:  Dragonflies.

 

Facts about dragonflies:

1. The scientific name for dragonflies is Anisoptera. Here is a list of names of some of the different types of dragonflies:

• Butterfly Dragonfly
• Damers
• Emerald Dragonfly
• Meadowhawks
• Micrathyria
• River Cruiser
• Tigertail Dragonfly
• Skimmer dragonfly
• Spiketail Dragonfly
• Wandering glider

2. The globe skimmer, also known as the wandering glider dragonfly, is one of the most common types of dragonfly. It can be found on almost all continents except Antarctica.

3. The Hine's emerald dragonfly, also known as the Ohio emerald, is one of the rarest types of dragonflies. It is currently on the endangered species list.

4. There are many colors of dragonflies, but one of the rarest is pink dragonflies.

5. Dragonflies are insectivores/carnivores. Carnivores means that they only eat meat. Dragonflies eat flying insects and other insects. Dragonflies are primarily diurnal and prefer to hunt for food during daytime hours. Diurnal means dragonflies are awake during the daylight hours.

6. A group of dragonflies is called a cluster or a flight of dragonflies.

7. Dragonflies are cold-blooded and love to be in the sun. The sun helps them regulate their body's temperature.

8. Dragonflies have a short life cycle. Some dragonflies can live up to 56 days or less.

9. Dragonflies live around streams, lakes, ponds, and other wetlands.

One last remarkable fact:

IN CASE YOU WERE WONDERING, YES, DRAGONFLIES POOP!

Have you ever wondered how these insects manage their waste? Let’s take a dive into the less talked about yet equally intriguing aspect of their excretion (POOP) process.

The Digestive System of Dragonflies:

Dragonflies have a complex digestive system that begins with their mouth, designed to capture and eat prey. Once their food is digested, the waste products are processed in the digestive tract. Unlike humans, dragonflies have a unique structure at the end of their bodies known as the rectal chamber, which serves as a storage space for waste.

The Excretion Station:

When it’s time for a dragonfly to excrete, it utilizes the rectal chamber as its command center for waste management. By contracting their abdominal muscles, dragonflies expel waste from their rectal chamber. The process is efficient and allows them to maintain their cleanliness, even while on the move.

A Flight with a Surprise:

Interestingly, dragonflies often release their waste mid-flight. So, the next time you admire these unique creatures zipping through the air, remember that they might be taking care of their natural elimination process!

 

 

Share a fun fact about dragonflies with us?

 

 

Get your free dragonfly printable worksheet here:

 Dragonfly worksheet

 

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

 

 

 

Books about dragonflies:

1. Are You a Dragonfly? by Judy Allen

2. Fast Facts About Dragonflies by Garstecki-Derkovitz

3. Dragonflies: Q&A Guide by Ann Cooper

4. Dragonflies: Catching - Identifying - How and Where They Live by Chris Earley

5. The Wonderful World of Dragonflies by Mimi Jones

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

 

Short story alert:

There once was a beautiful emerald-green dragonfly who loved to fly from pond to pond in search of food! One day, she couldn’t find flying insects to eat at her usual eating spots on the pond. So, she went on an adventure, flying high in the sky till she came to this large lake. There were flying insects everywhere. Oh, how happy she was! She spent all day eating all the flying insects she could. She was filled with joy, and her belly was filled with food. She flew back to her pond and slept all night. THE END!

 

Thank you for reading my post!! “Believe that life is worth living, and your belief will help create the fact.”-William James

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Mimi is the author of the JOEY SAVES THE DAY! book series and other titles. She loves learning, reading, drawing, and writing. She is a homeschool mother of two children. She has two adult children that have already left the nest.

Come back soon for more quick facts!

Facts about Nevada

Learn facts about Nevada for kids.

Last week, we confidently shared essential facts about... Nebraska. This week, we're excited to share fascinating facts about Nevada! Get ready to learn about the state's flag, its official bird, and many more intriguing details.

Did you know Nevada was the thirty-sixth state to join the United States? During the American Civil War, Nevada officially became a state on October 31, 1864, making it one of the last states to enter the Union in that era. This timing was significant as it helped bolster the Union's political power.

Located in the western region of the United States, Nevada is known for its diverse landscapes, which include vast deserts, mountain ranges, and vibrant cities. The state shares its borders with five other states: Idaho to the north, Utah to the east, Arizona to the southeast, California to the west, and Oregon to the northwest. 

Nevada is the seventh-largest state in the country, covering an area of approximately 110,577 square miles. This expansive land area contributes to its classification as one of the larger states in the United States. 

According to the most recent estimates, approximately 3,143,991 people reside in Nevada, reflecting a dynamic population influenced by the state's renowned tourism industry, which includes attractions such as Las Vegas and Reno, as well as its breathtaking natural parks, including Lake Tahoe and Red Rock Canyon. The population density varies significantly, with most residents concentrated in urban areas while large portions of the state remain sparsely populated.

 

Nevada famous person alert:

Calvin Forrest Quate was born in Baker, Nevada. He invented the atomic force microscope and taught Applied Physics and Electrical Engineering at Stanford University.

 To learn more about Calvin Forrest Quate, CLICK HERE.

Make sure to get permission from your parent or caregiver before clicking on any links.

Facts about Nevada:

Facts about Ladybugs

Ladybug Facts

Today, we are going to learn about the cute and tiny ladybugs! Did you know that ladybugs are actually a beetle? Yep, that is correct! Ladybugs are from the beetle family. In North America, we call ladybugs, as you may have guessed, ladybugs! Can you guess what they call ladybugs in Great Britain? In Great Britain, they are called ladybirds.

 

What is your favorite type of beetle?

 

With your parent/caretaker’s permission, you can click on the link below to see some pictures of ladybugs:

Click here

 

 

Facts about ladybugs:

1. The scientific name for a ladybug is Coccinellidae. Here is a list of names of different types of ladybugs:

• Convergent lady beetle
• Eyed ladybug
• Large leaf-eating ladybug
• Twenty-spotted lady beetle
• Two-spot ladybird

2. There are over 5,000 different types of ladybugs, and they live in different places on all continents except Antarctica.

3. Red with black spots is the most common color of the ladybug, but ladybugs come in many other colors, such as yellow, orange, ash grey, metallic blue, black, and various others.

4. The headless ladybug is one of the rarest types of ladybugs. It is not really headless. Like a turtle, it can tuck its head inside its body so you can’t see it.

5. Most ladybugs are omnivores. They eat plants and insects. 

6. A group of ladybugs are called a loveliness. A baby ladybug is called a larva.

7. Ladybugs are cold-blooded and need a lot of heat to survive. Ladybugs hibernate during the winter months.

8. Ladybugs are primarily diurnal. They do most of their food hunting and mating during the daylight hours while the sun is out.

 

 

Share a cool fact about ladybugs with us?

 

 

 

Get your free ladybug printable worksheet here:

 Ladybug coloring sheet

 

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

 

 

 

Books about ladybugs:

1. It's a Good Thing There Are Ladybugs by Joanne Mattern

2. Ten Little Ladybugs by Melanie Gerth

3. Hide-and-Seek Ladybugs by Paul Bright

4. The Wonderful World of Ladybugs by Mimi Jones

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

 

Short story alert:

A ladybug once didn’t know what to do, for she got caught inside an old dreadful shoe. She tried to climb up the inside of the shoe. But she couldn’t figure out just what to do. She thought maybe if she went to the dark end of the shoe, she’d find her way out, but no such luck. She sat there in the dark thinking, how will I get out? As she was thinking, she saw the light at the other end of that dreadful old shoe. So, she started crawling back towards the light. Once she reached the back end of that shoe, she crawled up and made her way to the top of the shoe. She finally figured out just what to do. She opened her wings and started to fly up high towards the sky!  THE END.

Thank you for reading my post!! “Just one small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day.”-Dalai Lama

Stop by tomorrow for more cool facts!

Mimi is the author of the JOEY SAVES THE DAY! book series and other titles. She loves learning, reading, drawing, and writing. 

Facts about Nebraska

Learn facts about Nebraska for kids.

Hey everyone! Last week, we shared some interesting facts about... Montana. We’re excited to share some fun facts about Nebraska with you this week! Get ready to learn about the state flag, the state bird, and many other nifty tidbits. Join us on this journey of discovery!

Did you know Nebraska was the thirty-seventh (37th) state to join the United States? Nebraska officially became a state on March 1, 1867, after a long process of settlement and development in the region. Located in the heart of the Midwest, Nebraska is known for its diverse landscapes, including rolling plains, fertile farmland, and the scenic Sandhills.

The state is bordered by six other states: South Dakota to the north, Iowa to the east, Missouri to the southeast, Kansas to the south, Colorado to the southwest, and Wyoming to the west. This central location makes Nebraska a key part of the nation’s agricultural heartland.

Nebraska is the sixteenth (16th) largest state in the country, covering an area of approximately 77,358 square miles. It is one of the larger states in terms of land size. The population is around 1,963,692 people, and residents enjoy a mix of urban and rural lifestyles. Major cities like Omaha and Lincoln offer vibrant culture and economic opportunities, while the vast countryside showcases the state’s rich agricultural tradition and natural beauty.

 

Nebraska famous person alert:

Robert Gibson was born in Omaha, Nebraska, and was a professional baseball pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals, where he played for seventeen seasons.

To learn more about Robert Gibson, CLICK HERE.

Make sure that your parent or guardian gives you permission before clicking on any links.

Facts about Nebraska:

Facts about Cuckoo birds

Cuckoo Bird Facts

Have you heard of the cuckoo bird before? Cuckoos are a medium-sized bird. Cuckoo birds are where the cuckoo clock got its name from. Have you ever seen or heard of a cuckoo clock before? A Cuckoo clock has a Cuckoo bird that comes out of its little house at the top of the clock every hour and makes a Cuckoo singing/chirping sound.

 

What is your favorite type of bird?

 

With your parent/caretaker’s permission, you can click the links below to see Cuckoo Birds and Clocks.

You can see Cuckoo clocks here: Click here

You can see Cuckoo birds here: Click here

 

Facts about Cuckoo birds:

1. There are over 125 species of birds in the Cuckoo bird family. Roadrunner birds are part of the Cuckoo bird family. The different species of cuckoo birds can be found living in places worldwide, except for Antarctica. Here is a list of some of the Cuckoo birds:

• Channel-billed
• Common
• Guira
• Himalayan
• Lesser ground
• Little bronze
• Mangrove
• Oriental
• Striped
• Yellow-billed

2. Most cuckoo birds are insectivores. Cuckoo birds eat mainly insects. They love to eat hairy caterpillars!

3. The channel-billed cuckoo bird is one of the largest cuckoo birds. It can weigh as much as two (2lbs.) pounds, sometimes more or less. It can be up to 27 inches long, sometimes more or less.

4. The little bronze cuckoo bird is one of the smallest cuckoo birds. It can weigh as much as a ½ ounce, sometimes more or less. It can be up to six (6in.) inches long, sometimes more or less.

5. Some cuckoo birds, such as the common cuckoo bird, lay their own eggs in other birds' nests so they do not have to take care of them. Common cuckoo birds are known as Brood parasites, which means that they rely on other birds to take care of their eggs and raise their baby birds.

6. A group of cuckoo birds is called an asylum or a family of cuckoos.

7. Cuckoo birds are migratory birds. They migrate/fly to warmer areas during the cold season.

8. The Cuckoo bird sounds like coo-coo, just like a cuckoo clock!

 

Share a cool fact about Cuckoo birds with us?

Get your free cuckoo bird printable ABC worksheet here:

 Cuckoo Bird ABC ORDER worksheet

 

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

 

 

 

Books about Cuckoo birds:

1. The Cuckoo Bird by Judy Corbalis

2. The Cuckoo Bird by Carol Krueger

3. The Cuckoos (Bird Families of the World) by Robert B. Payne

4. Cuckoos of the World by Johannes Erritzoe

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

 

Short story alert:

There once was a Cuckoo bird named Coo-coo. Coo-coo loved to fly from tree to tree. Coo-coo would fly down to the ground to search for food. Coo-coo’s favorite food to eat was very hairy caterpillars. Sometimes, it was hard to find the caterpillars, but that did not stop Coo-coo from searching for those hairy caterpillars to eat. Coo-coo would search for hours and hours for just one of those hairy caterpillars. Some days, Coo-coo would find many hairy caterpillars; some days, Coo-coo would only get one or two. By the end of the day, Coo-coo was so tired from searching for those hairy little caterpillars to eat that Coo-coo would sleep peacefully in its nest. Coo-coo would wake up well-rested and ready to search for more hairy caterpillars to eat. THE END!

 

Thank you for reading my post!! “Just one small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day.”-Dalai Lama.

Check these free printables out:

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

Books I have written:

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

Feature your book here:

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

Mimi is the author of the "Joey Saves the Day!" book series and other titles. She loves learning, reading, drawing, and writing. She is a homeschooling mother of two children and has two adult children who have already left the nest.

Facts about Montana

Learn facts about Montana for kids.

Last week, we shared some eye-opening facts about... Missouri. This week, we celebrate the beauty of Montana by sharing inspiring facts about its state flag, bird, and other remarkable features.

Did you know that Montana was the forty-first state to join the Union? Indeed, it officially became a state on November 8, 1889, after a lengthy process of exploration and settlement that began in the early 19th century. Montana is situated in the northwestern region of the United States and is known for its stunning natural landscapes, including mountains, forests, and plains.

This vast state is bordered by four states: North Dakota to the northeast, South Dakota to the southeast, Wyoming to the south, and Idaho to the west. In addition to its state borders, Montana shares an international boundary with Canada to the north, making it a unique point of interest for cross-border travel and trade.

Montana is the fourth-largest state in the United States, covering approximately 147,040 square miles. Its diverse geography features parts of the Rocky Mountains, extensive grasslands, and numerous rivers, making it a popular destination for outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, and skiing.

According to the latest data, Montana has approximately 1,104,271 residents. The population reflects a rich cultural tapestry, with a mix of Native American heritage and influences from early European settlers. This combination of history and natural beauty makes Montana a remarkable place to explore and live.

 

Montana famous person alert:

Did you know that John Robert Horner, commonly known as Jack Horner, was born in Shelby, Montana? He is an American paleontologist who specializes in the study of dinosaurs. A paleontologist is a scientist who examines fossils. Jack Horner is best known for being a technical advisor on the first five Jurassic Park movies.

Facts about Montana:

Facts about ducks

Ducks

How many of you have heard about ducks before? Did you know ducks come from the same family as geese and swans? There are over 125 species of waterfowl throughout the world. Ducks are in the waterfowl family. All waterfowl love water, and most of them have webbed feet! With your parent/caretaker’s permission, google pictures of the ducks and see how cool they are! 

This is an excellent website to read all about ducks: 

Click here

 

What is your favorite kind of duck?

 

Facts about ducks:

1. There are over 25 different types of ducks. Here is a list of some of them:

• American Wigeon
• Barrow's Goldeneye
• Cinnamon Teal
• Eurasian Wigeon
• Harlequin Duck
• Long-tailed Duck
• Mallard
• Ring-necked Duck
• Surf Scoter
• Wood Duck

2. Ducks are omnivores. Omnivores means that they eat both vegetation and meat. Ducks eat grasses, aquatic plants, seeds, insects, worms, small crustaceans, and other vegetation.

3. One of the most enormous ducks is the male Muscovy duck. The male Muscovy duck can grow to about 30 inches long or more. The male Muscovy duck can weigh up to 15 pounds. 

4. The little Green-winged Teal is one of the most minor types of duck. It can grow to about 15 inches long and weigh up to a pound, more or less.

5. Ducks are very social and love to be in large groups. A group of ducks is called a flock of ducks, a raft of ducks, a team of ducks, or a waddling of ducks.

6. A baby duck is called a duckling. A male duck is called a drake. A female duck is called a hen.

7. Female ducks nest near the water but in a very sheltered area of vegetation. Some ducks nest on the ground, a hole in a tree, and many other places.

8. Ducks are both nocturnal and diurnal. They are active during both night and daytime hours.

 

 

Share a fact about ducks with us?

 

 

Get your free duck printable worksheet here:

 Ducks ABC worksheet

 

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

 

 

 

Books about ducks:

1. National Geographic Kids: Ducks by Jennifer Szymanski

2. Where Are the Ducks? by Jeffrey Bullard

3. Lucky Ducklings by Eva Moore

4. Waterfowl of Eastern North America by Chris G. Earley

5. HEWWO! by Mimi Jones

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

 

Short story alert:

There once was a young duck named Luck. He was a lucky little ducky. You see, one day, he got lost. He wondered too far from the water’s edge. He was lost in some very thick and tall grass. He was too little to see over the vegetation. Instead of going back towards the water, Luck, the duck, kept going further into the thick and tall grass. Luck spotted a very long-necked goose. Luck, the duck waddled over to the goose and asked if the goose could help him get back to the water? The goose said, “Hi, my name is Lucey.” My friends call me Lucey the goosey. Lucey said, “What is your name?” Luck said, “My name is Luck.” Luck said, “Hi, Lucey, can you help me get back to the water?” and Lucey said, “Sure, I will help you.” Lucey said, “The water appears to be that way; just turn yourself around, keep going straight, and you will soon find the water’s edge.” Luck did as Lucey said and soon found his way to the water. THE END!

 

 

Thank you for reading my post!! “Just one small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day.”-Dalai Lama.

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

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