Nocturnal Animals
Nocturnal means
A) Sleeping at Night
B) Resting at night
C) Active at night
Nocturnal = Active at night
True or false: All plants do the same thing at night as during the day.
False.
What is more important for to find for survival FIRST?
A) Food
B) Water
C) An elephant
Water.
You can go about three weeks without food, three days without water. By the time you realized you're thirsty, you are usually already dehydrated, so drinking beforehand is best! Your elephant friend will have to wait.
Name a constellation! (A constellation is a group of visible stars that form a pattern when viewed from Earth. The pattern they form may take the shape of an animal, a mythological creature, a man, a woman, or an inanimate object such as a microscope, a compass, or a crown.)
Orion, Ursa major, ursa minor, hydra, the big dipper and little dipper, pegasus, draco, etc.
Fun fact: Orion is one of the most visible constellations. It's named after a hunter from greek mythology. Have you seen it?
Is a hedgehog nocturnal?
Yes!
Which one of these animals is not nocturnal: Red fox, bat, owl, robin, possum, raccoon, flying squirrel, moles, spiders.
Robins! These fellas are active during the day.
What is an animal you can often hear at night?
Ex. cricket, owl, bullfrog
Which of the following is likely cleaner in a survival situation:
A) Still water
B) Running water
B) Running water
Bonus: why?
True or false: The northern lights are basically a sun burp and most commonly a light green/yellow.
True! The Northern Lights are actually the result of collisions between gaseous particles in the Earth's atmosphere with charged particles released from the sun's atmosphere. Variations in colour are due to the type of gas particles that are colliding.
True or false: The constellations had uses in ancient times. They were used to help keep track of the calendar. This was very important so that people knew when to plant and harvest crops.
True!
Diurnal means active during the day. Which of the following animals is NOT diurnal?: Dogs, ducks, cows, humans, butterflies, horses, crickets, squirrels.
Crickets. They are Nocturnal.
True or false: Photosynthesis is when plants convert light into energy. At night, when the sun is down, the plants process & release the energy they built up from the day.
True! At night, plants respire. Did you know that this is crucial for their survival and they release C02? It's like the plant taking a BIG exhale at night.
True or false: When cutting things, a sharper knife is safer knife.
True! When cutting items a sharp knife requires much less pressure to cut into an item. When combines with a reduced tendency to slip, this gives you greater control over the blade.
Bonus: Name one of the agreements for safe carving.
True or false: Almost all nocturnal animals are colour blind.
True! Many of their other senses are sharper to survive at night.
What is night vision & why is it needed? Bonus= Name some animals that have it.
Night vision is needed for those who hunt and roam at night, and generally sleep their daylight hours away. Because these animals often go after their prey or find sources of food at night, after the sun has long set beyond the waning hills, it is imperative that they have a superior ability to see in the dark. Ex. Raccoons, Red Foxes, Owls, Frogs
What is echo-location & who uses it?
Echolocation = to "Create a mental map using high
frequency sound waves". Like a bat!
(If there is time here is a silly echolocation song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hr-Y2Tt8gFE)
What does a red sky at dusk usually mean? What does a red sky at dawn usually mean?
"Red sky at night, sailors' delight; red sky in the morning sailors take warning" is a handy saying to remember!
A red sky at dusk means the next day will most likely be clear. A red sky at dawn most likely means for some storms during the day.
True or false: The Moon does not produce its own light. There is only one source of light in our solar system, and that is the Sun.
True.
True or false: Bioluminescent creatures may light up to communicate, attract mates, or to warn predators.
Communication is key. Fireflies may glow to warn away predators. Different species of fireflies also have their own unique blinking pattern so that they can identify others like themselves. And some males use their light patterns to attract females.
Some animals are bio-luminescent and create their own light at night! Name as many examples as you can.
Ex. Firefly, squid, angler fish, jellyfish, krill, glow worms
Name a creature orients themselves with the moon to avoid being side ways or upside down? Bonus= What is this called?
Ex. Moths
This is called Dorsal Light Reaction.
You are camping for a few days on a big hill, but your water supply is low. With your knowledge about nature, where would you check for water? Up, down, right, left?
Downhill is a good bet! If you find yourself in hilly terrain, remember that the flow of water is always going to be downhill. You can count on seeking out streams and creeks in the crevasses where hills meet.
True or false: A 'Full Moon' is when the illuminated side of the Moon faces AWAY from the Earth. It will therefore appear dark and ‘unlit’ as the Moon is between us and the Sun.
False, this is a 'New Moon'. A full moon is when the illuminated side of the moon is completely facing the earth!
Crepuscular animal: Like noctunal. As most predators are active during the wee hours of the night or peak hours of the day, it’s safe to step out at DUSK or DAWN when predators are either back into their dwelling or are yet to get at their active best. What do you think an example of a crepuscular animals might be?
Ex. Bobcat, rabbits, deer, some bears, possums, mice.