Page 2 - Kind News, Jr. Activity Guide, September/October 2024
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ANSWER KEY




                                      Critter Clues FROM PAGE 7

                                       Our mystery critter is the axolotl. The habitat of these unique
                                       salamanders who stay aquatic their full lifespan is limited to just two
                                      freshwater lakes around Mexico City, Mexico: Lake Xochimilco and Lake
                                      Chalco. The ancient Aztecs believed the axolotl (whose name means
                                     “water monster” in the ancient language Nahuatl) is the god of fire and
                                   lightning in the body of a salamander.
                                Sadly, axolotl populations have declined steeply in recent years from human
                             development, pollution, and competition from other animals such as introduced
                        tilapia fish. A 2019 study by the International Union for the Conservation of Species found
              that only 50-1,000 axolotls remain in the wild. Thankfully, the Mexican government and nonprofits are
              working to restore habitats and offer ecotourism to bring awareness and funds.
              While axolotls are a brown-gray in the wild, they’ve been bred in captivity to be pink and light-
              colored. But while many children would love a pet axolotl, they are illegal to own in some U.S. states
              due to fears that they'll be poached from the wild to become pets, or will escape and interbreed with
              native salamanders. That doesn’t mean you can’t bring the axolotl and their fascinating natural history
              through books and videos to your home!



                                                                                          H
              Protecting Animals Puzzle FROM PAGE 6
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              Across: 3. Bunt; 4. Adoption; 6. Imprint                         R          B   U N T

              Down: 1. Habituate; 2. Predator; 5. Hiss                         E          I
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                                                          H                    A          U
                                                          I  M  P  R  I    N  T           A
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                                   Where’s
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    CHEROKEE4/BIGSTOCKPHOTO.COM.  RAJA IS HIDING       To access an interactive version of this issue online,
                                     Raja?
                                                          S
                                                                               R
                                                                                          E
                                    ON PAGE 6!
                                                       visit KindNews.org. Check out our recommended
                                                       book list at RedRover.org/books.





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