Science Series - Zoos

Did you know that a rattlesnake’s rattle is made up of segments of keratin? These segments knock against each other to produce a buzzing or rattle-like sound. Rattlesnakes use their rattles to distract their prey or to warn a predator to stay away! Each time a rattlesnake sheds its skin, it adds another segment to their rattle. Have you ever wondered why snakes stick out their tongues? They use their tongues to pick up scents. As they move their tongues back inside their mouths, a special “taste-smell” organ helps them locate their next meal.

Did you know that zoology is the study of animals? So, zoologists are people who like to learn more about animals. They like to answer questions about animals by doing research in laboratories, working at zoos, or even observing animals in the wild. If you decide to become a zoologist, you need to decide what kinds of animals interest you most. 

Amphibians are cold-blooded like reptiles, have backbones like reptiles and mammals, but are very different. Amphibians do not have any hair or skin scales on their bodies. They can breathe through their skin as well as through their lungs. Most amphibians spend part of their lives in water. Frogs, toads, and salamanders are examples of amphibians. 

Lions are meat-eating mammals that like to live in groups or families. A lion's family is called a “pride.” Usually there will be many females that live together along with their cubs, but only one male. Lions like to play and hunt together. Because they have a keen sense of hearing and sight, they often will hunt at night. Usually the females do the hunting. They work in groups to catch their prey. The male lion takes his share of the catch before the females and cubs get any food. Lions are known for their loud, ferocious roar. 

Have you ever seen a cuddly looking koala? Most people call them koala bears. But koalas aren't bears! In fact, koalas aren't even related to bears. Koalas are mammals called marsupials. Marsupial means “pouched animal.” Koalas carry their babies in pouches just like kangaroos. Koalas are picky eaters. The only food that a koala will eat is eucalyptus leaves. Eucalyptus leaves are found in Australia, so koalas live in Australia. Koalas are “nocturnal” animals, which means that they sleep during the day and are awake at night.

Crocodiles and alligators are cold-blooded reptiles. This means that their body temperature will heat and cool according to their surroundings. Crocodiles and alligators can move quickly on land for short distances, but feel more at home in the water. Can you tell the difference between a crocodile and an alligator? A crocodile’s snout is longer and more pointed than an alligator’s. Crocodiles also have teeth that stick up from the lower jar when their mouths are closed. Catchy lyrics and a fun melody will teach kids all about crocodiles and alligators in this fabulous audiobook.

The life cycle of a frog is very interesting. First, a frog will lay its eggs in water. The eggs are inside a jelly-like covering. Soon tadpoles begin to grow inside the eggs. They have a head, body, and tail. Tadpoles swim in the water feeding on tiny plants called algae. As a tadpole grows, it will develop hind legs and then front legs. Then a tadpole will develop lungs and go to the surface of the water to breathe. Now the tadpole looks more like a frog. It will climb out of the water to eat insects and worms. Listen to this fun, factual audiobook about the life cycle of a frog!

The word “mammal” refers to a mother’s mammary gland, which is used to feed her babies milk. Most mammals are warm-blooded animals that give birth to their babies live, although there are some mammals that do lay eggs. Mammals have backbones and most mammals have hair. Did you know that you are a mammal? Catchy lyrics and a fun melody line will teach kids about mammals in this fabulous audiobook.

A reptile is a cold-blooded animal. This means that its body temperature will heat and cool according to its surroundings. Reptiles can live on land, or by swamps and lakes. Snakes, lizards, alligators, and turtles are examples of reptiles. Did you know that a reptile continues to grow throughout its life? Some giant tortoises can live to be one hundred years old. Catchy lyrics and a fun melody line will teach kids all about reptiles in this fabulous audiobook.

Turtles are amazing cold-blooded reptiles. In fact, they belong to one of the oldest reptile groups in the world. Some turtles are meat-eaters and some are plant eaters. Turtles are known for their shells, which are actually a part of their skeletons. A turtle’s shell helps protect it from predators. Did you know that a turtle cannot come out of its shell? Listen to this fun audiobook about turtles.

The word “salamander” is a Greek word meaning “fire animal.” Long ago when people would collect logs to build fires, they noticed that salamanders would race out of the logs when they were heated. The people thought that the salamanders came from the fire. Of course, we know that salamanders like to live in damp logs and were simply running away from the fire. Did you know that salamanders breathe through their skin as well as through their lungs? Catchy lyrics and a fun melody line will teach kids all about salamanders in this fabulous audiobook.

When you grow up have you ever thought about studying different types of animals? If so, you might want to consider being a zoologist. Zoologists study mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. Studying the biology of many different kinds of animals give us a better understanding of our own relationship to our environment. That’s important because we are the only animals that are capable of drastically changing the world by the things we do. Catchy lyrics and a fun melody will have young science enthusiasts singing and learning about the fabulous job of becoming a zoologist!