National Geographic Explorer Lesson 1 Raising Raptors
Different kinds of raptors Raptors are birds of prey More than 500 species of raptors around the world Eagles, hawks, falcons, snowy owls and kestrels are all raptors
Different kinds of raptors Eagles Hawk
Different kinds of raptors Falcon Snowy Owl
Different kinds of raptors Kestrel
Swoop and find food When they are hungry, they swoop down and kills the prey with their sharp claws.
How raptors build their nests Build nests out of reach from predators They build their nest in a tree Or window ledge of a tall building They gather sticks to make their nests
Female lays eggs A female raptors lay eggs, hatch with open eyes Some raptors only have few eggs Others may have many
The raptor s chicks Raptor chicks grow fuzzy, white feathers It keeps the chicks warm
Talons A falcon threatens predators with its sharp talons An owl fluffs out its feathers
Fledgling Fledgling: a bird that is learning to fly 1: learn to perch on the edge of its nest 2: hops out onto the tree branch 3: holds onto the branch 4: stretches & flaps its wings 5: steps off the branch
On the hunt Falcons An owl Still hunting Falcons Hawking Mantling
Footwork A red kite: catch frog, beetles & mice A peregrine falcon: grab birds
Footwork A martial eagle: attack young ostriches, chase down antelopes A fish eagle: grab slippery fish
Conclusion A raptor is a bird of prey. It hunts and kills other animals for food. There are about 500 species of raptors. Although each is unique, all raptors go through similar types of changes as they progress through their life cycles.
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Lesson 2 Staying alive
Different parts of a plant roots: absorb water and minerals from soil, hold the plant in the ground, and store extra food; stems: support the plant and provide a system for water and nutrients to move from the roots to the rest of the plant; leaves: help make food in most plants; flowers: allow most plants to reproduce; fruit: often cover a plant's seeds; and seeds: grow into new plants.
Different parts of a plant In some plants, these parts not only help the plant survive but also can be deadly to other plants and animals.
Manchineel tree is poisonous Sap: liquid in a plant
Poison and protect The Manchineel tree has a dangerous, milky sap in its leaves, bark, and fruit. Animals and people know to stay away. It can harm them. blister: small bag-like swelling
Sundew
Sundew
Trap and kill The sundew are carnivores. They use their leaves to trap and kill prey. Digesting prey gives these predators much needed nutrients.
Purple loosestrife
Spreading out Purple loosestrife crowds out the roots of other plants.
Invade and dominate The purple loosestrife invade new environments, choking out all competition. It digs in deep in wetlands. It also releases millions of seeds each year. Its success comes at the expense of other plants, and the resulting lack of biodiversity affects the habitat for plants and animals alike.
Dodder
Dodder twists itself around other plants
Strangle and steal The dodder is a parasite. Plants like this latch onto a host, penetrate the plant's tissues, and steal nutrients from its system. The parasite doesn't usually kill the host, but it does affect the host's ability to grow and thrive.
Conclusion Plants have many different parts. Each part has a specific function that helps the plant survive.
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Lesson 3 Supervolcano
Where do you find the supervolcano? Supervolcano hidden under the ground in Yellowstone National Park(U.S.) It is one of the world s largest volcano
Parts of the Earth
A supervolcano erupts
Caldera Calder: a large volcanic crater
The eruption
Hot spring hot springs: Pools of naturally hot water; hot springs are the most common type of hydrothermal feature found in the park.
Old Faithful Geyser A geyser is a hot spring too Look like a fountain geysers: hot spring has a constriction in its system, typically near the surface. Pressure builds until a column of water and steam shoots into the air.
Plume geyser Plume geyser shoots a spray of water about every 30 minutes
Riverside geyser Geyser erupts every 6 or 7 hours
Steamboat geyser Steamboat geyser may not erupt for years
Mud pots mud pots: When the water supply in a hot spring is limited, a mud pot can form. Microorganisms in these acidic features convert rising gases into sulfuric acid. The acid breaks rock down into clay. As gases escape, the clay bubbles and pops.
Fumarole fumaroles: Also known as steam vents, fumaroles are so hot that the tiny bit of water they contain turns into steam before it can reach the surface. Fumaroles are the hottest hydrothermal features in the park.
Forest of stone Petrified forest: heat and minerals from melted rock slowly turned the tree into stone
The sounds Rumble of geyser Sizzling of hot spring
Conclusion Yellowstone National Park sits on top of a supervolcano. Because of this, it is one of the most geologically active areas in the world. When Yellowstone's supervolcano eventually erupts, it will have massive, global effects. Fortunately, scientists say the threat of an eruption is not imminent. In fact, large earthquakes are a more likely hazard in the near future.
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