The Alligator's Super Sense, and More.

It's Nonfiction Monday! I have something different today. I want to share the good news that my article “The Alligator’s Super Sense” has been published on the November 2011 issue of “Highlights” magazine. (Look for the little alligator at the bottom left of the cover) The discovery of how alligators and other crocodilians ‘feel’ their prey nearby is a tribute to a scientist’s curiosity and perseverance. Dr. Daphne Soares worked with baby alligators, getting her share of bites from the tiny, but sharp, teeth, and uncovered one of the reasons alligators have survived before, during and after the dinosaurs and through major extinction events. I hope her story engages young lady budding scientists everywhere.

For educators looking to introduce or discuss more about amazing crocodilians, I suggest “Alligators and Crocodiles! Strange and Wonderful”, by Laurence Pringle and illustrated by Meryl Henderson.
And to top it off, check “Highlights’” online complementary feature for my article about the magnetic sense. This combo of three, the article, the book and the online feature, is a good start for educators and all interested in animal senses, science in action, and learning more about some of the oldest inhabitants of our planet: the outstanding crocodilians.

Visit more Nonfiction Monday blogs today at Jean Little Library.
And, as usually, I invite you to visit my website.

Secret of the Puking Penguins is on S.T.E.M. Friday.

When does a stomach stop working like a stomach? When does it stop digesting food and start preserving it instead? What can be more important than having a daily dose of nutrition? It turns out that
the King penguin, which is the second largest penguin, has successfully adapted this strategy to increase its chick's chances of survival in a very cold place. French scientists travelled to the Crozet Archipelago, a group of islands south of Madagascar, where a large colony of King penguins lives. Like other birds, King penguin dads regurgitate on their chick's mouth to feed them. But in many occasions, dad had not eaten for the last three weeks, so their stomach should be empty. Hmm... Was it? The way to answer this question was to take a look at the penguin's stomach content, so imagine yourself surrounded by hundreds of noisy penguins with a very sharp beak and trying to take a sample of one of the big bird's stomach. Not easy, but the scientists succeeded and found out how the King penguin's stomach preserves fish and squid fresh for its baby chick. The baby gets the most needed food until mom gets back from a feeding feast at sea and trades baby care duties with dad. Amazing adaptations!
This is one of the secrets in "Secret of the Puking Penguins,...,and More!" In this book, and on the other five of the Animal Secrets Revealed! series, you will also discover the secret of the chameleon's strong tongue grip, learn about 'alligator feelings,' which animal is a master of disguise, and how the peacock catches the rainbow.
For more fascinating blogs, visit today's S.T.E.M. host Rasco from RIF.