What's more fun than eating jellybeans? Making things with jellybeans and toothpicks, of course! These simple ingredients can be used to create all sorts of fun shapes and structures. So break out the candy and the toothpicks and let your kids' imaginations run wild. What are they made of? Jellybeans are mostly made up of sugar, which is a type of carbohydrate. When you put a jellybean in your mouth, the saliva in your mouth starts to break down the sugar into smaller molecules. This process is called hydrolysis. As the sugar molecules get smaller, they start to interact with the proteins in your saliva. This interaction between the carbohydrates and proteins is what gives jellybeans their characteristic chewy texture. In addition to sugar, jellybeans also contain something called pectin. Pectin is a type of fiber that helps to give jellybeans their shape. Pectin is also responsible for making jellybeans gummy when they're chewed. Toothpicks are made from a type of … [Read more...]
Fascinating Facts About the Bat Life Cycle
Did you know that bats are the only flying mammal in the world? Or that there are more than 1,200 different types of bats? Bats are pretty amazing creatures and they go through some pretty incredible changes during their lifetime. Here are some fascinating facts about the bat life cycle. Baby Bats All baby animals are called infants, and baby bats are no exception. Baby bats are called “infants” or “pups.” A baby bat is born blind and cannot fly. Baby bats are born in colonies where they live with their mothers and other female bats. The average litter size for a bat is one pup, but some mothers can have two pups at a time. Bats are born blind and deaf. They are totally helpless when they are first born and rely on their mother for everything. Baby bats drink their mother’s milk until they are old enough to eat insects on their own. Nursery Within a few weeks, however, they start to grow quickly. Their eyes and ears open and they begin to explore their … [Read more...]
The Common Eider: A North American Bird Icon
The Common Eider is a large seabird that can be found in coastal areas of the northern hemisphere. Eiders are easily recognized by their black-and-white plumage and their large, orange bill. These birds are interesting not only for their unique appearance but also for their behavior. For example, did you know that eiders are the only bird species known to use tools? Keep reading to learn more fascinating facts about the Common Eider! Appearance As previously mentioned, Common Eiders are easily recognizable due to their black-and-white plumage. Male eiders have mostly white feathers, while females and juveniles have more dark feathers. Both males and females have a patch of black feathers on their backs, which is where their scientific name, Somateria mollissima, comes from—mollissima means "softest" in Latin. Common Eiders can grow to be quite large, with a length of up to 27 inches and a wingspan of up to 42 inches. Males are typically larger than females, but there is … [Read more...]
All About the Mouse Life Cycle: Everything You Need to Know!
This mouse blog post is all about the mouse life cycle! From birth to death, we will cover everything you need to know about mouse biology. We'll talk about what they eat and their population numbers as well. If you're not sure how long a mouse lives or where they live in the world, this article has it all covered! The mouse life cycle is pretty simple - with 4 stages: mouse birth, mouse pup, mouse juvenile phase, adult mouse. The Mouse Life Cycle The female mouse is pregnant for about three weeks and then gives birth to mouse pups. The mouse pup is born blind with soft fur, weighing about 30 grams (about one ounce). They're weaned after a couple of weeks and reach sexual maturity in around six months. How many pups are in a litter? A mouse litter can have anywhere from two to fifteen mouse pups. The mouse juvenile phase lasts from the time they're born until puberty when they become an adult mouse. During this stage their coat develops as does their weight; by the end … [Read more...]
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