Fascinating facts about 8 animals that might surprise your little one

Ever noticed how our children grow up with both admiration and wonder for nature and animals?  They can spend hours playing with sand or watching a line of ants march across the floor. While growing up, they might have thousands of questions for you. As parents, you might wish to teach your kids about different facets of mother nature, including animals and birds. One strategy to introduce kids to the animal world would be to feed their curiosity. The most important trick is not to spoon-feed answers to all their queries but give out compelling information or facts that will pique their interest further. 

While planning your next picnic with your kids, you could perhaps take them to a beach, lake, or any other nearby local habitats. And gradually start talking to them about nature and the animals around them, giving out fun or unique facts about these animals. This might stay in their minds rather than heavy, scientific facts that could bore them. This could also encourage them to ask questions leading to a worthwhile conversation. But, at the same time, try not to overload their little minds. Remember, the goal is not to teach them science but to fascinate their little minds. We’re sharing a few such examples of exciting animal facts for you to choose from and share with your little ones.

Interesting facts about animals 

1. Crocodiles

• Crocodiles have the most potent “bite force” ever directly measured for living animals! Probably as strong as the mighty T.Rex! . In a “bite test” conducted by Paleobiologist Gregory M. Erickson and his team, the saltwater crocodiles emerged as winners as they slammed their jaws shut with 3,700 pounds per square inch (psi), or 16,460 newtons, of bite force.
• Crocodiles cannot stick out their tongue. A membrane holds its tongue on the roof of its mouth, making it impossible for them to move the tongue.

2. Salamanders

• Salamanders are amphibians that can lay up to 450 eggs at once.
• Most salamanders are very sensitive or intolerant to environmental pollution. Hence, they are also called “Indicator Species.”

3. North American River Otters

• They eat about twenty percent of their body weight daily, making them excellent gourmands. They spend at least 6-9 hours hunting. Also, they always wash their body after every meal
• While sleeping, Otters hold hands to prevent drifting away from each other.

4. American Alligators

• Alligators, giant reptiles, can hold their breath for a day while resting in the water.
• These reptiles prefer to live in groups known as congregations as they are very social.
• Alligators are not picky eaters! They can eat anything they want to from meat to  fruits such as citrus fruits or wild grapes.

5.  Polar bears

• Unlike common belief, polar bears have black skin with transparent hair. The hair appears white as it can reflect light.
• They also have an excellent sense of smell, enabling them to sniff out their prey from a distance of 16km per hour.
• Male polar bears are heavy. They may weigh up to ten men.

6. Reindeer

• Reindeer are the second fastest animals in the world.
• They have an excellent vision that helps them see ultraviolet light rays, which humans cannot. This precise vision allows them to hunt in glaring light in Arctic regions.
• The calves of reindeer start to run up to fifty miles per hour fast after 90 minutes of their birth.

7. Moose

• Moose are great at hide and seek. They might have a giant size, but they are not easy to spot as they hide pretty well in dense bushes or trees.
• When you cannot find them on land, look for them underwater too! Moose can stay underwater for 30 seconds or more than that.

8. Wolverine

• Wolverines have a fantastic sense of smell. They can detect a dead animal 20 feet under the snow.
• Wolverines love frozen food! They freeze and store dead animals or leftovers of food in the snow.

These were some of the few fascinating facts that might pique your child’s interest in animals. 

Head to byjuslearning.com to learn more about our Active Learning approach to Math, Language, and Reading for children between Pre-K and Grade 3.