Author: Lisa Mungovan

Cars need antifreeze, to keep the systems from freezing during the winter. In Antarctica, some marine worms survive, by having a natural kind of antifreeze in their bodies. A type of bacteria lives inside the worms, secreting a substance that protects them from the icy water temperature. They help each other stay alive.

If you visit a National Park this summer, you might see wild animals. No matter how cute they look, remember they can be dangerous. Wild ponies, bison, moose, deer, or bears, can cause serious damage. Remember also to never feed wild animals like ducks or chipmunks. It makes them depend on humans for food.

Don’t be alarmed if you see a squirrel, stretched out flat on the ground. It’s just trying to stay cool. On hot days, squirrels and other animals sploot on cool surfaces, to dump heat. Many mammals have less fur on their bellies, so the cooler temperatures of a shaded rock feels refreshing.

Welcome to Moth Week, a citizen scientist project to study moths. The biggest moth in the world, is the Atlas moth, with a 12-inch wing span. Smaller ones are also easy to find, by leaving a porch light on at night. Look closely, to find moths camouflaged on trees. Report your findings at NationalMothWeek.org.

Is it going to be another hot day where you live? Forget about exerting yourself, and just spend the day relaxing in a hammock. It’s Hammock Day, as well as Mango Day. Slice up a sweet chilled mango, to eat while you’re hanging around. Make sure everyone gets a turn!

Many people don’t realize, that going to the beach and digging holes in the sand, can be deadly. Deep holes can easily collapse on kids, and bury them. Never dig a hole deeper than knee height, and don’t forget to fill the hole in when you leave, so no one steps in it!

The Galapagos Conservancy reported great progress last year, with its conservation efforts in the Galapagos Islands. They reintroduced more than 500 endangered giant tortoises of 5 different types, to their native habitat. They also identified albatrosses, landing on the islands. The large birds need space to take off and land, like planes need runways.

Did you know, it’s Take A Monkey To Lunch Day? I wish I had a pet monkey to dine with! You could either bring your monkey stuffed animals with you, picnic at the zoo with baboons, or grab a bunch of bananas and your friends, pretend to be monkeys, and eat in the trees.

Today is Junk Food Day. Junk food is usually stuff that tastes good, but doesn’t have a lot of nutritional value for your body. For an iguana, lettuce is junk food! It’s also Be Someone Day. Adults should try to be someone, that kids can come to for help. Kids, who is your someone?

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! It’s Ice Cream Day, so raid your freezer. Check out your local ice cream shops, for special discounts, and unique combinations like tomato-basil-strawberry, or hot honey-cornbread. You could even try making your own ice cream, so you can create delicious and crazy flavors.