Innholdsfortegnelse for October 2024, issue 120 i Eco Kids Planet Magazine

Who better to introduce it than me – the tough little spiny mouse? You might think I’m just an ordinary mouse, but allow me to tell my story. For starters, I’ve got spikes – yes, real spikes! My back is covered with stiff, thorn-like hairs that help protect me from predators. And I’ve got a few clever tricks to help me out. Ever heard about geckos shedding their tails to escape predators? Well, I can do that and more! If things get dangerous, I can shed my skin, spikes and all, and leave the predator with just a piece of my skin. The best part? My skin grows back, spikes included, without leaving a scar. I hope that impressed you, kiddos! I live in the dry, rocky deserts of Africa,…

Rusty: Hi, Rusty fans! Guess who’s back! Rhona: We’ve both shrunk to microscopic size to explore our garden pond. We heard there are some incredibly tiny creatures with spikes living in the water. Rusty: They’re called helio-zebras. Zebras? Hmm, maybe they have stripes, not spikes. Rhona: They’re called heliozoa, Rusty. Heel-ee-oh-zo-a! Rusty: Hey, I can see some. They look like footballs covered in spikes! Rhona: Trust you to think of football, Rusty. I think they look like mini suns shooting out spiky rays. Rusty: Looks like they’re hunting. Whoa, look – one’s going after that little green speck! Rhona: That’s an alga. And yikes – did it just spear it with its spike? Rusty: It’s totally trapped now. That poor tiny green blob never stood a chance. Rhona: Maybe those…

Paul De Ornellas is chief wildlife advisor at WWF-UK. He works with colleagues around the world to support the conservation of pangolins. Sam: Can a pangolin swim? Can they run fast? Surprisingly, yes! Pangolins can swim, though it’s rare to see. Pangolins have been caught on camera swimming in places like Kruger Park, South Africa. They aren’t fast runners; their strong front legs and big claws are built for burrowing, not speed. The larger, ground-dwelling pangolins often move on their hind legs. They hunch forward as they go. Researchers from Florida State University have even developed a small camera to record their movements. They call it the pango cam. It can be safely attached to the scales of a pangolin, capturing incredible footage. This helps us understand the elusive behaviour…

These spikes – also known as spines – help them in all kinds of cool ways. The most obvious? Protection, of course. But sometimes spikes can also be used as drinking aids, sunshades and, er, watering cans! First things first: what are they? Spikes on animals are really types of long, strong, stiff, straight hairs! They’re made from keratin, the same stuff that makes up our hair and nails. Hedgehogs Hedgehogs can move fast in short bursts, but that may not be enough to protect their soft bellies. So, when danger strikes, our prickly pals curl into tight little balls, turning into spiky shields. It’s sure to put predators off taking a bite! If you were wondering, baby hedgehogs (called hoglets!) are born with spines. But don’t worry, they don’t…

It’s me, Charlie, the Eco Kid who can chat with animals. When I was last in Madagascar, I met a strange, spiky creature – with a spiky personality! Charlie: Hey, I hear a chirping in the grass. Hmm, I think I can see a bird’s beak down there. I’ll have a closer look. No, it’s a beak-shaped snout. It belongs to a little animal with colours like a wasp. Whoa! He’s got even spikier hair than me. He looks like a punk rock hedgehog! Tenrec: Stay back or you’ll soon find out what these spikes are for. Charlie: Let me guess. Jabbing your enemies? Tenrec: You bet! See these barbed quills on the back of my neck? Charlie: They look sharp. Tenrec: They are! First, I raise them up, and…

And don’t forget about me – Rusty! Rhona’s helper: JD Savage My annoying little brother Rusty hogged a whole page earlier with his silly dinosaurs. So, I asked for this issue’s whole Wildlife News section to myself. Guess what? He said no. Typical! The Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition is in its sixtieth year! Run by London’s Natural History Museum, the contest is open to nature snappers of all ages. This year, 59,228 entries flooded in from around the world. While we’re still waiting to hear who the big winners are, here’s a sneak peek at some Highly Commended entries – meaning the judges think these photos are amazing! TWIST AND JUMP Jose Manuel Grandío snapped this stoat leaping high over snow. Jose was on the last day of…

Down: 1. Scaly anteater known for its hard protective armour of scales. 3. Colourful reef fish that uses its spiny fins to lock itself into cracks and crevices. 4. Some of these creepy crawlies, like the saddleback, have venomous spikes. 5. This spiky egg-laying mammal uses its stiff hairs for protection. 8. This spiky creature curls into a ball for protection when it feels threatened. 11. Coral reef predator with venomous spines along its back. Across: 2. A plant with spikes that can act as sunshades and collect water. 6. This animal’s quills detach when they stick to predators. 7. Spiky mammal from Madagascar that can use its spikes to communicate. 9. Spiky sea creature that can live up to 100 years without a brain! 10. A bizarre spiked worm-like…

Think you’ve got a spiky side? I bet you have! In fact, I bet you’re just like a spiky creature… Simon’s helper: JD Savage Maybe you’re a prickly desert dweller, a sharp sea slicker or a spiked woodland warrior. Well, let’s see! Pick the description below that mostly screams you, then flip to page 34 to discover your spiky match. But no peeking ahead or you’ll spoil the surprise! Then hand the quiz to someone else and find out if you’d share the same habitat – or be completely different creatures! WHICH OF THESE BEST DESCRIBES YOU? A I go for bold, flashy looks. Well, I am bold – fearless, even! When I’m feeling it, I’m all about the spotlight. But if I don’t want to be bothered, I can…

Do you have a spine-tingling imagination? It’s time to put your creativity to the test with our Spooky Spikes Story competition! Write a short, spooky tale (150-200 words) featuring a spiky creature – whether it’s a hedgehog on a Halloween adventure, a porcupine solving mysteries, or even a creature of your own invention. Let your imagination run wild! The spookier and more creative, the better your chance to win! Four lucky readers will win this colourful book from our friends at Phaidon. 4 TO WIN!…