SAFE Kids – Explore – Environments

Environments

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

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

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?

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

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?

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…

Environments

Why are our ocean's so salty?

Why are polar bears white?

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

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

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

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

Why do some animals, like chameleons, change color?

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

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

How do animals know where to find food and water?

What happens if we cut down too many trees?

What do animals do during the winter?

How do fish breathe underwater?

Why is it important to recycle and not litter?

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

How do plants grow from seeds

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

How do dolphins communicate underwater

Why do leaves change color in the fall?

How does a rainbow happen and all of it's colors?

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SAFE WORLDWIDE

GuideStar is the world’s largest source of information on nonprofit organizations.

They gather and provide access to the most comprehensive, up-to-date, and accurate nonprofit information which is available to potential funders and donors.

Less than five percent of non-profits registered with GuideStar are recognized with a Gold Seal. A Gold Seal status is the leading symbol of non-profit transparency and accountability.

Environments

Why are our ocean's so salty?

Why are polar bears white?

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

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

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

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

Why do some animals, like chameleons, change color?

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

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

How do animals know where to find food and water?

What happens if we cut down too many trees?

What do animals do during the winter?

How do fish breathe underwater?

Why is it important to recycle and not litter?

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

How do plants grow from seeds

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

How do dolphins communicate underwater

Why do leaves change color in the fall?

How does a rainbow happen and all of it's colors?

Subscribe to our monthly newsletter

SAFE WORLDWIDE

GuideStar is the world’s largest source of information on nonprofit organizations.

They gather and provide access to the most comprehensive, up-to-date, and accurate nonprofit information which is available to potential funders and donors.

Less than five percent of non-profits registered with GuideStar are recognized with a Gold Seal. A Gold Seal status is the leading symbol of non-profit transparency and accountability.

Ask Riley and Max a Question

Ask Riley and Max a Question