Hippopotamuses, which are native to Africa, are semi-aquatic animals, meaning that they live both in water and on land. An adult male hippo can weigh up to 9,000 pounds, but they are still very good swimmers. Hippo populations have been dropping due to habitat loss caused by climate change and hunting. As hippos are reliant on freshwater systems, they are often threatened by drought and the loss of grazing areas.
By Henry Russell, age 11
Tasmanian devils are rather cute black- or brown-furred mammals that look a little like baby bears. They are the world’s largest meat-eating marsupial, reaching 30 inches in length and weighing up to 26 pounds. They have very sharp teeth that can deliver one of the strongest bites of any mammal. These animals got the name “devil” after early Europeans witnessed their growling, lunging and teeth-bearing characteristics.
By Charlotte Osoria, age 9
Did you know there are over 255 species of bumblebee around the world, 49 of which live in North America? One such species is the American bumblebee.
By Mona Delgado, age 10 and IndyKids staff
Researchers at Princeton University have discovered that many African elephants are evolving to not have their signature look: tusks. During the Mozambique Civil War, from 1977 to 1992, humans killed so many elephants that the species has evolved to become tuskless.
By June Fink, age 10
So far this year, more than 841 manatees have already died in Florida, according to the Associated Press. That’s 11 more than the previous record high in 2013, which was for the whole year.
By Melina Cantagallo, age 13
Mussels are most often thought of as just a food, but they could potentially be used to free our oceans of toxic microplastics.
By Esteban Guerra, age 9
Wolves play a big role in keeping our ecosystems healthy. Gray wolves are found in many parts of the United States, including Alaska, northern Michigan, northern Wisconsin, western Montana, northern Idaho, northeast Oregon and the Yellowstone area of Wyoming.
By Amelie Kokolios aged 10 and Siena Kokolios aged 8 Palaeontologists, scientists who study dinosaurs, have recently recognized a new species of dinosaur that’s the largest in Australia and one of the largest in the world. Australotitan cooperensis, nicknamed Cooper, was a plant eater, and was found near Cooper Creek in Queensland. It’s taken 14 …
Science Brief: New Ozzy Dino Discovery Breaks Record Read More »
By IndyKids Staff There are 46 different species of seahorses around the world. These strange looking creatures range in size from 0.6 inches up to 14 inches long. Although they live in the sea, seahorses are poor swimmers. They live in shallow ocean areas, particularly in eelgrass beds, but they move into deeper waters to …
By Mila Lemoine, age 9 The Blakiston’s fish owl measures 60 to 72 centimeters in length, making it the largest owl in the world. The Blakiston’s fish owl lives in the riparian woodlands of Asia and Russia. These owls nest in large, old trees near rivers, lakes and springs. Unfortunately, this owl is endangered because …
Getting Wild With… The Endangered Blakiston’s Fish Owl Read More »
