From Tornadoes to Plant Brains: Amazing Nature Facts

Did You Know About Tornado Alley?
Tornado Alley is a part of the southern United States, stretching between the Gulf of Mexico and the Great Lakes. It’s called that because it’s where most of the country’s tornadoes happen, about 1,000 every year! This is due to the mix of different weather systems in the area.

Did You Know What the North Star Is?
Before people had compasses, they used the North Star to find their way. Also called Polaris, this star sits almost exactly above the Earth’s spinning axis. That’s why it always stays in the same place in the sky, while other stars seem to move. You can see it only if you’re in the Northern Hemisphere.

Did You Know What Swiss Cowbells Are For?
A long time ago, farmers in Switzerland put bells around their cows’ necks so they could hear if one wandered off. These bells made it easier to keep track of the animals. Today, cowbells are mostly sold as souvenirs to visitors.

Did You Know Plants Have Brains?
Plants don’t have feelings or senses like people, but they do have something similar to a brain. At the tips of their roots, there are millions of tiny cells that help send information through the plant. That’s how a plant can keep living, even if most of it gets damaged.

Did You Know About the Spider That Builds a Nest Underwater?
It’s called the water spider. This clever little creature builds its home underwater and fills it with air. It traps tiny air bubbles in the hairs on its body, then releases them into the nest to create a little “bubble room” where it can live beneath the water’s surface.