Discovering the Wonders of Nature: Secrets from the Animal Kingdom

Did You Know a Spider Isn’t an Insect?
Spiders belong to a group called arachnids and not insects. One big difference is the number of legs: insects have six, but spiders have eight. That’s one reason spiders are in a category of their own.

Which Insect Makes the Loudest Sound?
The cicada is one of the loudest insects in the world. It makes a strong chirping sound by rubbing two plates on its sides. The sound can be heard from 400 meters away or even more!

Can Boats Really Float Over a Bridge?
Yes, they can! In some places, special water bridges let boats cross over roads or dry land. One famous example is the Magdeburg Bridge in Germany. It helps boats move from one canal to another, even when the nearby river’s water is low.

Why Do Koalas Sleep So Much?
Koalas spend most of their lives in eucalyptus trees, eating the soft young leaves. But those leaves don’t give them much energy, so koalas sleep about 18 hours a day! They mostly wake up just to eat again.

Which Animal Looks Like It’s Wearing Glasses?
Snakes have a special see-through eyelid that’s always covering their eyes. They don’t blink or close their eyes, but this “glasses-like” layer keeps their eyes safe all the time.

Can a Lake Grow Vegetables?
In Inle Lake in Myanmar, farmers have found a smart way to grow food. They gather plants and algae from the lake, mix them with mud and other natural materials, and build floating garden beds right on the water. On these beds, they grow healthy vegetables!

Which Animal Has to Swim to Stay Alive?
Most fish breathe through gills, but sharks are different. Their gills only work if water is moving over them so they must keep swimming to breathe. If a shark stops swimming, it can’t get oxygen and will die.