Did You Know That ? Encyclopedia of Curious and Interesting Facts
Шрифт:
clearings – поляны
spread seeds – распространять семена
threats – угрозы
habitat loss – потеря среды обитания
poaching – браконьерство
decrease – уменьшение
generations – поколения
QUESTIONS:
What are some of the distinctive physical features of African elephants?
How do African elephants use their trunks?
Describe the social behavior of African elephants.
How are African elephants intelligent?
What is the importance of African elephants to the ecosystem?
What are the threats facing African elephants?
How do African elephants communicate with each other?
What is the role of the matriarch in an elephant family group?
How do elephants help to control the growth of plants in the forest?
Why is poaching a major threat to African elephants?
What are some conservation efforts that are underway to protect African elephants?
Fact 11. Did you know that the smallest bird is the hummingbird?
These tiny creatures are fascinating to watch, with their bright colors, rapid wingbeats, and ability to hover in mid-air.
Physical Features
Hummingbirds are the smallest birds in the world, with some species being only about the size of a bumblebee. They have long, thin beaks and tongues that they use to suck nectar from flowers. Hummingbirds also have beautiful, iridescent feathers that shimmer and change color in the light.
Flight and Hovering
Hummingbirds are amazing flyers. They can fly forward, backward, up, down, and even upside down. Their wings beat so fast that they make a humming sound, which is how they got their name. Hummingbirds are also the only birds that can hover in mid-air, which allows them to feed on flowers without having to land.
Diet and Feeding
Hummingbirds eat mostly nectar from flowers. They use their long, thin beaks and tongues to reach deep into flowers and suck out the sweet liquid. Hummingbirds also eat insects and spiders, which give them protein and other nutrients.
Importance to the Ecosystem
Hummingbirds are important pollinators. They help to transfer pollen from one flower to another, which helps plants to make seeds. Hummingbirds also help to control insect populations.
Threats and Conservation
Hummingbirds are facing threats from habitat loss, climate change, and pesticides. Conservationists are working to protect hummingbirds and their habitats.
Conclusion
Hummingbirds are amazing creatures that play an important role in the ecosystem. Their beauty, flight abilities, and importance to the environment make them a joy to watch and appreciate.
WORDLIST:
hummingbird –
creatures – создания
fascinating – увлекательный
rapid wingbeats – быстрые взмахи крыльев
ability to hover in mid-air –
способность зависать в воздухеspecies – виды
bumblebee – шмель
beaks – клювы
suck – сосать
iridescent – переливающийся
shimmer – мерцать
liquid – жидкость
pollinators – опылители
transfer pollen – переносить пыльцу
threats – угрозы
habitat loss – потеря среды обитания
QUESTIONS:
What is the smallest bird in the world?
Describe the physical features of hummingbirds.
How do hummingbirds fly?
What do hummingbirds eat?
Why are hummingbirds important to the ecosystem?
What are some threats facing hummingbirds?
How do hummingbirds use their beaks and tongues to feed?
Fact 12. Did you know that the world's largest flower is the Rafflesia arnoldii?
This amazing plant can only be found in the rainforests of Southeast Asia.
Physical Features
The Rafflesia arnoldii is a parasitic plant, which means that it gets its nutrients from other plants. It doesn't have any leaves or stems, and its flower can grow up to 3 feet (1 meter) wide and weigh up to 24 pounds (11 kilograms)! The flower has five thick, fleshy petals that are covered in wart-like bumps.
Life Cycle
The Rafflesia arnoldii has a very unusual life cycle. It starts as a tiny seed that is dispersed by animals. The seed then germinates and attaches itself to the roots of a host plant, usually a species of vine. The Rafflesia arnoldii then sends out thread-like structures that penetrate the host plant's tissues and absorb nutrients.
After several months, the Rafflesia arnoldii begins to produce a bud. The bud slowly grows and develops over a period of several weeks. When the bud finally opens, it reveals the massive flower of the Rafflesia arnoldii.
The Rafflesia arnoldii flower only lasts for a few days. After it dies, the plant produces fruit that contains thousands of seeds. The seeds are then dispersed by animals, and the life cycle begins again.
Importance and Threats
The Rafflesia arnoldii is an important part of the rainforest ecosystem. It provides food for animals such as beetles and flies, and it helps to disperse the seeds of its host plant. However, the Rafflesia arnoldii is threatened by habitat loss and over-collection. Conservationists are working to protect this unique and endangered plant.
Conclusion
The Rafflesia arnoldii is a truly amazing plant. Its massive size, unique appearance, and unusual life cycle make it one of the most fascinating plants in the world. We should all do our part to protect this incredible plant and its rainforest home.