SAFE Kids – Explore – All

Answering Questions about Wildlife and their Habitat.

Ask Riley and Max

Ever wondered why polar bears are white, how birds fly, or what the largest animal in the world is? This page is dedicated to answering the many questions kids have asked SAFE Worldwide over the years—and so much more. Here, you can explore a wide range of topics about animals, the environment, and everything related to our planet.

Have a question you don’t see on our pages? Click Ask a Question at the bottom of the page to send Riley and Max a message!

Various factors determine intelligence. Wildlife scientists around the world often name dolphins, chimpanzees, elephants, and even certain bird species like crows, as some of the most intelligent animals, using tools and showing deep emotions.

Aaliyah wants to know…

What's the smartest animal on the planet?

Giraffes’ necks got long over many, many years because the ones with longer necks could reach more food in tall trees. They were healthier and had more babies, who also had longer necks. This happened over lots of time and the process is called evolution.

Costa asked…

Why are giraffe's necks so long?

The ocean is salty because it collects tiny bits of salt from rocks on land. When it rains or rivers flow into the ocean, they bring along these salty bits. Over a really long time, all this salt adds up, making the ocean taste salty!

Jonas was curious as to…

Why are our ocean's so salty?

Birds can fly because their bodies are made for it! Their wings are shaped perfectly to help them glide through the air, so they can find new places to eat and nest. They have light bones and strong muscles that give them the power to flap their wings and lift off the ground.

Gwynn queried…

Why and how do birds fly?

Polar bear fur may look white, but it's actually clear and acts like tiny mirrors reflecting the snow around them! It helps them hide so that it's easier for them to sneak up on seals, without being seen. It also keeps them safe from predators by blending in with their surroundings.

Angelique wondered…

Why are polar bears white?

Poaching is when people illegally hunt or capture animals, often for their skin, fur, tusks, or other body parts. This is against the law because it harms animals and can make them endangered or extinct. Animals impacted are tigers, elephants, rhinos, and turtles, to name just a few.

What is poaching and what animals are affected?

Scientists help by studying the animals and their habitats, tracking their numbers, and figuring out what they need to survive. They also create programs to protect them, like setting up safe areas where they can live without being disturbed.

Josh asked…

How do scientists help save many endangered animals?

Animals need their habitats to find food, water, and shelter. When we destroy their homes, it makes it hard for them to survive. Protecting habitats helps keep animals safe and makes sure they have everything they need to live.

Ying inquired…

Why is it important to protect the habitats where animals live?

Look for labels like “cruelty-free,” “eco-friendly,” reef-SAFE (sunscreen), or “organic.” These labels mean that the product was made in a way that is kind to animals and the planet. You can also ask your parents to help you find more information about the products you use.

Fatma wants to know…

How can I tell if a product I’m buying is safe for animals and the environment?

Animals in cold places have special ways to stay warm. For example, polar bears have thick fur and a layer of fat under their skin. Penguins huddle together to share body heat, and some animals grow extra fur or feathers during the winter.

Eric asked…

How do animals stay warm in cold places like the Arctic?

Francisco pondered…

Why is it important to protect the habitats where animals live?

Some animals, like wolves and elephants, live in groups because it helps them find food and protect each other. Other animals, like tigers and bears, prefer to live alone so they don’t have to share their food or space.

Taylor asked…

Why do some animals live in groups while others live alone?

Some animals are endangered because their homes are being destroyed, they are being hunted too much, or they can’t find enough food. We can help them by protecting their habitats, supporting laws that keep them safe, and not buying products that hurt them or their homes.

Sunita inquired…

Why are some animals endangered, and what can we do to help them?

Chameleons and some other animals change color to hide from predators, communicate with other chameleons, or control their body temperature. It’s like their way of sending messages or staying safe.

Francisco wants to know…

Why do some animals, like chameleons, change color?

This saying means that sometimes being too curious can get you into trouble. Cats like to explore and sometimes get into dangerous places. It's like when you are told not to touch something hot because you could get hurt. It's a reminder to be careful and safe.

Ruth wants to know…

Why do they say ‘curiosity killed the cat'?

Some people believe that these animal parts have special powers or can be used to make medicines, even though this isn’t true. Others like to have them as decorations or trophies. Sadly, this has made these animals endangered because too many are hunted.

Kelly was curious…

Why do some people value sharks’ fins, pangolin scales, and rhinoceros horns?

Painted wolves and wild dogs are actually the same animal! They have beautiful fur with lots of different colors, like a painting. They live in packs and hunt together. They are different from dogs and can't live with people as pets. Painted wolves live in Sub-Sahara Africa and are critically endangered.

Zelda wanted to know…

What is the difference between a painted wolf and a wild dog?

Sometimes, veterinarians (animal doctors) use the same medicines that people take, but they use special doses made just for animals. They make sure the medicine is safe for the animal and helps them get better. As an example, human medication to treat epilepsy can be used for dogs with epilepsy.

Gavin inquired…

Do veterinarians use human medications on animals?

Dinosaurs lived a long time ago, even before there were people. Scientists think that a big asteroid hit the Earth and changed the climate, making it hard for dinosaurs to survive. Over time, they all went extinct, which means they all died out. But some animals, like birds, are related to dinosaurs and still live today!

Kwai asked…

What happened to the dinosaurs?

Some animals are pets because they are friendly and like to live with people. They can be trained and are safe to be around, like dogs and cats. Other animals, like lions or tigers, are wild and can be dangerous. They need to live in their natural homes like jungles or forests where they have the space and food they need.

Francisco pondered…

Why are some animals pets and others are not?

You can help by recycling, using less water and electricity, planting flowers or trees, and not littering. Also, be kind to animals and support products that are safe for the environment. You can find other easy and simple things to do on other KidZone pages.

Sunita inquired…

What are some simple things I can do to help protect animals & the environment?

Animals communicate in many ways. Dogs bark, birds sing, and dolphins use clicks and whistles. Some animals use body language, like when a cat arches its back to look scary or when bees dance to show where flowers are. They may not speak like us, but animals communicate in their own way.

Abdul wants to know…

How do animals communicate with each other?

Plants and animals need each other to survive. Plants provide food and oxygen for animals. In return, animals help plants by spreading their seeds and pollen. For example, bees get nectar from flowers and help plants make new seeds by moving pollen around.

George posed the question…

How do plants and animals depend on each other in the wild?

Some animals, like owls and bats, are nocturnal, which means they are active at night. They might do this to avoid predators or because it’s easier to find food. For example, owls can see really well in the dark to catch mice.

Lucy asked…

Why do some animals sleep during the day and come out at night?

Bees collect nectar from flowers using their long tongues. They store the nectar in their stomachs and bring it back to the hive. There, they pass the nectar to other bees, who process it into honey and store it in honeycombs.

Colin wants to know…

How do bees make honey?

Turtles have shells to protect themselves from predators and harsh environments. The shell acts like a strong shield, and turtles can hide inside it when they feel threatened. The shell is made of bones and is part of the turtle’s skeleton. Turtles cannot live without their shells, as the shell is an integral part of their body containing vital organs and their spine.

Jean asked…

Why do turtles have shells?

Animals use their senses, like smell, sight, and hearing, to locate food and water. Many species like elephants and gorillas learn from their parents and other animals. Some animals also remember places where they found food before and return to those spots.

How do animals know where to find food and water?

Blaine is asking…

Cutting down too many trees destroys animal habitats, reduces oxygen levels, and increases carbon dioxide in the air. This can lead to climate change, soil erosion, and loss of biodiversity. It’s important to protect forests and plant new trees. SAFE Worldwide supports projects with our partners to plant trees to bring back the equilibrium of the habitat of many endangered species.

Hope queried…

What happens if we cut down too many trees?

During winter, some animals, like bears, groundhogs and even snails, hibernate. That means they go into a deep sleep to conserve energy and wake up when the winter thaws. Others, like monarch butterflies, humpback whales and sandhill cranes, migrate to warmer places. Animals that stay active in winter, like deer, rabbits and wolves, grow thicker fur and find different food sources to survive the cold.

Manon, from Montreal, wondered…

What do animals do during the winter?

Fish use gills to breathe underwater. Gills are special organs that extract oxygen from water. When water passes over the gills, they absorb the oxygen and release carbon dioxide, allowing fish to stay underwater and breathe without coming up for air.

Hugo inquires…

How do fish breathe underwater?

Elephants have large ears to help regulate their body temperature. By flapping their ears, they cool down blood vessels close to the skin. Their big ears also help them hear sounds from far away, which is important for communication and detecting danger.

Valentina asked…

Why do elephants have such big ears?

The blue whale is the biggest animal in the ocean and the world. Blue whales can grow up to 100 feet long and weigh as much as 200 tons. Despite their size, they primarily eat tiny shrimp-like animals called krill.

Diego inquired…

What is the biggest animal in the ocean?

Some animals, like owls and bats, are nocturnal, meaning they are active at night. They come out at night to avoid daytime predators, stay cool in hot climates, and find food more easily when their prey is also moving around at night, like mice and other insects.

Constanza wants to know…

Why do some animals only come out at night?

Recycling and not littering help keep the environment clean and protect wildlife. Litter can harm animals and pollute water and soil. Recycling saves resources and energy, reduces pollution, and helps make the Earth a healthier place for everyone.

Oscar asked…

Why is it important to recycle and not litter?

Animals live in different places, like deserts and rainforests, because they have adapted to those environments. Each habitat provides the specific food, water, and shelter that different animals need. For example, camels are adapted to survive in dry deserts, while jaguars thrive in wet rainforests. These adaptations help animals survive and reproduce in their unique habitats.

Elias pondered…

Why do animals live in different places, like deserts and rainforests?

Frogs croak to attract mates and defend their territory. They make those funny sounds by pushing air from their lungs through their vocal cords, which vibrates and creates noise. Some frogs also have vocal sacs that expand like balloons, amplifying the sound. Each species of frog has a unique croak to communicate with others.

Veeti asked…

How do frogs croak and how do they make those funny sounds?

Plants grow from seeds by first absorbing water, which softens the seed coat. Inside, a tiny root (radicle) and shoot (plumule) start to grow. The root grows downward to absorb water and nutrients from the soil, while the shoot grows upward toward the sunlight. With water, sunlight, and nutrients, the plant continues to grow and develop.

Bjorn inquired…

How do plants grow from seeds

Snakes move without legs by using their strong muscles and flexible scales on their bellies. They push against the ground in a wave-like motion called undulation. By contracting and relaxing their muscles in sequence, they can slither forward, sideways, or even swim. This movement helps them navigate various terrains and catch prey efficiently.

Birth wants to know…

How do snakes move without legs?

To work with animals when you grow up, start by learning as much as you can about them. Read books, watch documentaries, and visit zoos or nature centers. Volunteer at animal shelters or wildlife organizations to gain experience. Study biology or animal science in school and consider careers like veterinarian, zookeeper, wildlife biologist, or conservationist. Follow your passion and stay dedicated!

Maricel wants to know…

I want to work with animals when I grow up. What's the best way to make that happen?

Rangers are like protectors for animals and nature. They work in parks and forests to make sure animals are safe and their habitats are healthy. Rangers patrol areas, rescue animals in danger, and teach people how to care for the environment. They play a big role in keeping wildlife safe so that animals can live happily in their natural homes.

Joel was curious…

Are rangers like superheroes for animals? What does their job consist of?

Some animals have tails to help them balance, communicate, and defend themselves. Monkeys use their tails to swing from trees, while dogs wag their tails to show they're happy. Tails can also help animals swim, like fish, or scare away predators, like lizards. Each animal's tail has a special job to help them survive in their environment.

Dmitri wanted to know…

Why do some animals have tails? Do thyme serve any purpose?

Squirrels have a great memory and a strong sense of smell to find nuts they buried. They dig small holes in the ground and bury nuts one by one. Their keen sense of smell helps them locate buried nuts later on, even if they are hidden under leaves or snow. This helps squirrels survive by having food stored for winter.

Pranav inquired…

Why do the squirrels in my neighborhood bury nuts and do they find them again?

Spiders make webs using silk produced from glands in their abdomen. They release liquid silk through spinnerets at the back of their bodies. As the silk comes out, it hardens into strands that spiders use to spin intricate webs. Spiders can make different types of webs for catching prey, wrapping eggs, or creating homes, showing amazing skill in construction.

Trisha asked…

How do spiders make webs?

Dolphins communicate underwater using a variety of sounds. They produce clicks, whistles, and squeaks through their blowholes. These sounds travel through water, allowing dolphins to talk to each other, find food, and navigate. They have sensitive hearing and can recognize different calls, showing complex social interactions and cooperation among dolphin groups.

Eleni pondered…

How do dolphins communicate underwater?

To learn more about animals, study biology, zoology, and ecology. Biology teaches about animal anatomy and behavior. Zoology focuses on specific animal species and their habitats. Ecology explores how animals interact with their environment. Math and chemistry can help with scientific research, while English and communication skills are useful for writing about and sharing your findings.

Navita inquired…

What topics should I study in school if I want to learn more about animals?

Butterflies mainly eat nectar from flowers. They use their long, straw-like tongues called proboscis to suck up the sweet liquid. Butterflies also feed on other liquids like rotting fruit juice and tree sap. They find food by seeing bright colors and smelling scents that attract them to flowers, where they can drink nectar for energy.

Ronald wants to know…

What do butterflies eat and how do they find food?

During spring and summer, leaves are green because they contain a chemical called chlorophyll, which helps them make food from sunlight. As days get shorter and cooler in the fall, trees stop making chlorophyll. Without the green chlorophyll, other colors like yellow & red in the leaves start to show. Eventually, leaves fall off the trees, helping them conserve energy during the winter when there's less sunlight.

Jocelyn posed the question…

Why do leaves change color in the fall

Birds know where to migrate using the sun, stars, and Earth's magnetic field. They recognize landmarks like mountains and rivers and can even use their sense of smell. Migration knowledge is often inherited from parents or learned from older birds. These natural tools and skills help them find their way to the same locations each year.

Jake posed the question…

How do birds know where to migrate

Whales have blowholes on the tops of their heads. When they come up to the surface, they take a big breath, and their lungs store lots of oxygen to use when they dive deep. Some whales, like sperm whales, can hold their breath for up to 90 minutes. Other whales, like humpback whales, usually stay underwater for about 15-30 minutes before coming up for air.

Annie asked…

I love whales. They are amazing. But how do they breathe underwater?

A rainbow is made when sunlight passes through raindrops in the air. The sunlight bends as it enters the raindrop, then reflects off the inside surface of the raindrop, and bends again as it exits. This bending and reflecting separate light into the colors you see, which are orange, red, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. Each color bends at a slightly different angle, creating the beautiful spectrum we see in the sky.

Heather asked…