Page 2 - Kind News, Jr. September October 2021 Parent Guide

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ANSWER KEY VISIT

KINDNEWS.ORG
for online
Critter Clues FROM PAGE 7
activities!
Our mystery critter is the llama. These versatile animals
have played important roles in society for thousands of years.
Historically, llamas were used as working animals. They are
one of the oldest domesticated animals in the world. Prominent
in the Andes Mountains, they were used by the Incas of Peru
for clothes and food. In the 19th century, llamas were brought
to the United States.
Today, they are still used all over the world to move goods
and guard livestock. Their fleece is also used for fabric.
Llamas are very adaptable. Because they lived at high altitudes
in the mountains, they adapted to need a lower amount of
oxygen. Their thick coat helps them withstand cold temperatures
and rain, while their shorter hair on other areas helps dissipate
heat when they live in warmer climates.
Llamas are social animals and live in herds in the wild. They
communicate with one another by clucking, humming, and using
high-pitched calls to warn others of danger. They also use ear and tail
movements to communicate. They spit as a way to defend themselves by
appearing aggressive.
front page: redrover. this page: (critter clues) oleksii kriachko/bigstock.
Llamas are very gentle animals, but they will fiercely protect animals they consider part of their herd, including
livestock. They are also fast learners and can be easily trained. In recent years, llamas have begun to be trained as
therapy animals for places like hospitals, senior communities, and schools. During the pandemic in 2020, one
farmer in Oregon brought his pet llama to help the seniors in his community!
Interested in adopting a llama as a pet or a guard animal? Llamas need special grooming, a specific diet, and a
lot of space to be happy and healthy. For more information, visit llamasanctuary.com. For more information on
llamas as therapy animals, visit mentalfloss.com and search “llama therapy.”

RedRover.org/Readers

Did you know that RedRover offers free online webinars for educators and virtual readings
of animal-themed stories for classrooms? Give this magazine and guide to teachers you know
to share Kind News and the RedRover Readers program. The free virtual readings are a great
way to see the program in action. They are 45 minutes to an hour long and are aligned with
social and emotional learning standards. Learn more at RedRover.org/virtualreadings.

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editor, nicole forsyth; design consultant, sass studios; education advisors and edition of kind news is published five times a year, september through may. a classroom subscription,
contributors: heidi colonna, caty franco, keleigh friedrich, minhhan lam, tara lenehan, subsidized by charitable donations, is available at $30 per year and each issue includes 28 copies of
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