Last week we learned about squirrels. Honestly, I thought it was going to be one of our more boring studies. I mean, it's only fun to watch them scurry about for a little while...right? Thankfully, there's a lot more than that to be done, seen, read, and learned.
A Douglas Squirrel in our backyard |
As many of our studies go, we did some reading. From the library we got the following:
Rabbits, Squirrels and Chipmunks, Mel Boring
Miss Suzy, Miriam Young
The Very Best Bed, Rebekah Raye
Delicious!, Helen Cooper
Squirrels, Peter Murray
Nuts to You!, Lois Ehlert
Scaredy Squirrel at the Beach, Melanie Watt
The Squirrel, James V. Bradley
We also utilized our Wildlife Explorer books.
Jace's plate of squirrel foods |
We learned all about how squirrels live. Did you know that squirrels are often referred to as herbivores even though many of them eat insects. Some even eat small birds or mice! If I ever write my own book on squirrels I'm classifying them as omnivores.
Gracie's version of squirrel foods |
One of the books we read (Squirrels) pointed out that humans don't often think about how helpful tails are, but squirrels use theirs for all sorts of things.
Tail Uses: warmth, balance, shade, umbrella |
We also talked about the scientific classification of squirrels. Jace definitely didn't want to write that out again! But, we did discover that they're rodents, as are porcupines. Who knew?
Squirrels are known for their large front teeth, which grow around six inches every year. They have to gnaw them down daily to keep them from getting too big for their mouths. They're made specially, though, so they stay sharp and allow them to continue gnawing through nuts and tree bark.
Jace gnawing on a nut |
Gracie breaking the peanut shells |
Here's a picture of a squirrel thinking about how to get at that ball, though!
Peanut ball feast! |
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