Innholdsfortegnelse for January 2024, issue 111 i Eco Kids Planet Magazine

I’m sure you recognise my furry, cheeky face. It’s me, the Sumatran orangutan! Welcome to my wonderful, magical kingdom – the rainforest canopy on the island of Sumatra. Why magical? Because it provides me with everything my great ape heart desires. When I am hungry, the trees offer me delicious fruit (my favourite!), leaves, bark and, occasionally, insects. Sure, I sometimes need to travel long distances – even a few kilometres – to find my favourite treats. But I don’t mind at all. Oh, the joy of swinging from branch to branch using my long, strong arms and gripping on to the trees with my prehensile feet! When I need a break, I make a cosy nest of branches and leaves, and snuggle up in it all night. Sometimes, I…

Folklore is the old stories passed down by word of mouth. It’s full of the strange stuff folk used to believe – including plenty about trees! Guess which tree-dwellers were said to live up hawthorn trees. Fairies! The fairy folk protected them – and punished anyone who chopped one down. In fact, your whole village might be hit by seriously bad luck if you removed a hawthorn without their permission. Be warned! Bringing its creamy white blossom or any other part into your home was also said to be unlucky – except on May Day. Meanwhile, fairies used alder trees as doorways to pass between their fairy realm and our world. When cut, the alder’s pale wood turns a deep orange, as if the tree might be bleeding. Because of…

Trees are vital to our planet – and to us. They produce oxygen for us to breathe. They clean the air by trapping pollution. They help to fight climate change by sucking in harmful gases. They even protect us from flooding by slowing down the flow of rainwater – and absorbing it. Thanks, trees! They’re also vital to the wildlife you Eco Kids love. They provide homes, food and protection for all sorts of animals – and, let’s not forget, smaller plants and fungi, too. Many animals eat, sleep, hunt and play in trees. We call animals that live in trees arboreal (say “are-bore-re-el”). You’ll find them living at every level. Fun Fact Oak trees alone support 2,300 species! The very top layer of trees is called the emergent (say…

WHICH BEST DESCRIBES YOU? A I’m very curious and can be quite bold and daring – but that doesn’t mean I’m not sensible. I like to prepare well ahead for the future to make sure nothing will go wrong. B I’m very lively and NOT afraid to argue. I’m also very loud – even first thing in the morning and late at night! But I do love being around lots of other people. C I’ve got a great sense of direction and always know exactly where I’m going, even though I walk quite slowly. I have great hearing, too, and I’m pretty quiet – even when I’m calling someone. D My motto is: ‘What’s the hurry?’ I take my time to get things done. I like hugging, and when I’m…

Monthly Competition For this month’s competition, we invite you to write a short story or poem inspired by tree-dwelling animals and their adventures in the treetops. Your story should be 150 words or fewer, and your poem 10 lines or fewer. Let your imagination soar! We can’t wait to read your treetop tales! 3 TO WIN! THREE lucky readers will win this beautiful whimsical puzzle from Wentworth. Tropical Fiesta 140 pieces, 250x175mm Wentworth Wooden Puzzles Perfect for exotic bird lovers, this beautifully finished jigsaw puzzle features two hyacinth macaws surrounded by vibrant flower blooms. This spectacularly crafted puzzle will add a bright and fragrant touch to any room. All Wentworth puzzles are made using wood from sustainably managed forests. The box is also made with recycled materials and no plastic is…

Sometimes, my mates call me a slowcoach. Well, I’m in a South American rainforest looking for a mammal that should make me seem super-fast. And there she is – a brown-throated three-toed sloth! Hello. Don’t be alarmed. I’m just a human boy. Sloth: I know. I could smell you coming. Charlie: Oh! I don’t pong, do I? Sloth: No. We don’t see well, but we have a great sense of smell to make up for it. Charlie: I didn’t know sloths had poor eyesight. Sloth: If the sunlight was bright, I wouldn’t be able to see at all! Charlie: I heard that you can’t move your eyes. I don’t suppose you need to, then. Sloth: But I can turn my head around 270 degrees! Charlie: Wow! Thanks for the demonstration.…

And don’t forget about me – Rusty! CHRISTMAS GUESTS! The White family in Kentucky got a big surprise this Christmas. They’d brought in a real Christmas tree for their home’s busiest room, like they do every year. But this year, someone else had got to the tree first – and made it his home. It took four days to spot him! A house cleaner saw the baby owl first. He plugged in a carpet cleaner and saw the tree start to shake. Then he spotted the little bird sitting on a lower branch. When he went over, it crawled further up into the tree and it took a while to even find him again! Happily, the owl was safely released into the garden. Michele White was amazed to hear about…

ARBOREAL CROSSWORD Down: 1. This bird looks like a broken branch 2. “Honey bear” 4. The very top layer of trees 5. Small wildcats that mimic monkey calls 6. A colourful parrot Across: 2. A flightless New Zealand bird 3. Grabby 7. Living in trees 8. This island is home to orangutans 9. What gives the sloth its greenish tinge? WILD QUESTIONS Test your knowledge with these multiple-choice questions. No wild guesses! 1. Which of these animals are found in tree canopies? a. Kangaroo b. Silky anteater c. Termites 2. Which of the following animals have prehensile tails? a. Kinkajou b. Squirrel c. Green viper 3. What do most tree frogs do all day? a. Squeak b. Hunt c. Sleep 4. Which of these birds builds huge nests? a. Kakapo…