Wonder Bugs - More Tails!

We know that many animals have tails, and that tails come in many shapes, sizes, and colors. So why do animals have tails? What are tails used for?

Tails can be used for many things! They can grab branches like an opossum’s tail. They are used for balance like a kangaroo tail. They are used for protection like a porcupine tail. They are used for “talking” like with wolves.  They are also used as rudders to steer in water like a muskrat. Can you think of any other uses for tails? What would you use your tail for if you had one?

While you are at home you can use a similar rhyme like we used at Wonder Bugs to talk about an animal’s tail. Stuffed animals or pictures can be used to go on a tail scavenger hunt in and around your house. Every time your wonder bug finds a different tail say the following rhyme, changing the animal name and the function of the tail:

Little cat, little cat, your tail I see.  You wave it around to “talk” with me.

Did you ever wonder why bears have such small tails? There are legends, tales and stories that try to explain the answer. Check out this site for one such tale.  How is this tale similar to the one about opossum? Why do you think bears have small tails? Do they use their tails for anything?

This is the tail end for this week!
Miss Tara

 

Next Wonder Bugs Session:
SIGNS OF LIFE
9:30-10:45 am
Tuesday, October 18 & Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Registration Deadline: Friday, October 14, 2011

Sometimes animals leave us clues like scat or tracks that tell us about their actions. Come be a nature detective and find the animal clues that might be right under your nose- or your foot! Click here to register!

Single session: ALNC Members: $6/child; Non-Members: $7/child
Package option: All 7 sessions: $38.50/members; $45.50/non-members