Page 2 - Kind News, Jan/Feb 2022, Parent Guide

ANSWER KEY

VISIT
How Animals Survive The Winter Crossword FROM PAGE 6 KINDNEWS.ORG
for online
ACROSS DOWN activities! 1 H

2. --------------- that do not migrate in the winter 1. Bears and groundhogs are some animals 2 B I R D S

will fluff their feathers and eat more to survive. who______________ , or become inactive, B
3. in the wintertime. 3
Instead of hibernating, mice ___________ F O R A G E
for food in the warmest part of the day. 4. Geese _____________, or fly to warmer R
climates, to avoid cold weather. 4
5. M N
_____________ gather food such as acorns 7.
in autumn to prepare for winter and share Some deer ______________ to winter I A
their tree dens with others to stay warm. temperatures by growing a coat with long G T
6. hair that helps them stay warm. 5 S Q U I R R E L S
_________ are cold-blooded animals
who are awake, but sluggish, during A
the winter. This is called brumation. T
6 7

S N A K E S
Critter Clues FROM PAGE 7 D
A
Our mystery critter is the flying squirrel. This unique rodent lives primarily on three main continents: North
America (with small populations in Central America), Asia, and Africa. There are two North American species of P
flying squirrel: the northern flying squirrel and the southern flying squirrel. Flying squirrels live across a range of T
climates, but survive best in forested areas. However, since they are nocturnal, people don’t often get the opportu-
nity to see them. They are omnivorous and eat a variety of foods, including mushrooms, berries, bird eggs, insects,
and flowers. They are also very resourceful and can store up to 15,000 nuts in a single season!
Flying squirrels are known for their ability to glide from tree to tree. They can travel more than 150 feet with one
glide, at up to 20 miles per hour! The membrane stretching from their wrists to their ankles, called a patagium, is
what allows them to glide. It also acts as a parachute. When they want to glide from one tree to the next, they launch
themselves from a high branch, spread out their limbs, and steer with their legs and tail. They use their tail and
cartilage near their wrists to help them stop.
A few species of flying squirrel are endangered. The San Bernardino flying squirrel in California faces decline as
front page: bigstock. this page: (critter clues) bigstock.
the fungi they rely on for food has become less available due to the effects of climate change. The Virginia northern
flying squirrel’s populations in West Virginia have also declined drastically because of clearing of red spruce trees in
their habitat. However, people have helped the Virginia northern flying squirrel’s population start to grow again by
working to restore spruce forests. You can help flying squirrels by raising awareness about their habitat and doing
your part to combat climate change! For more information, visit nwf.org and search “flying squirrel.”
Math Problem RedRover.org/Readers

FROM PAGE 2
Did you know that RedRover offers virtual readings of animal-themed stories for
25 inches (Length) classrooms? Learn more about our RedRover Readers program that uses stories and
x 25 inches (Width) = discussion to learn about animals and practice the steps for empathy. The virtual
625 inches) readings are 45 minutes to an hour long and are aligned with social and emotional
L x W = Area learning standards. Learn more at RedRover.org/virtualreadings.

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