  Why are muskrats so smelly?
Alex Hendrickson, 10 1/2, Ballwin
 Muskrats probably think they smell just fine.
They don't smell nearly as bad to us as skunks, mink or fox smell. The
Cree Indians used to call muskrats musquash - a nicer name, I
think. Their name comes from a greasy musk produced by two glands located
near the base of a muskrat's tail. They use this substance to mark territory
and find mates. The musk from muskrats is used in some perfumes.
|
 Do doves use the same nest each
time they lay eggs? What do they feed their babies? Do the mother and
father stay with their babies until they fly?
Garrett Chapman, 9, Blue Eye
Doves don't use the same nests every year. Adult
doves digest seeds and other foods, which they regurgitate for their chicks.
They deposit this liquid, milky substance directly into the mouths of
the chicks. The parents remain with their chicks until they leave the
nest. |
A friend of mine has a pet turtle.
The turtle won't eat, so he does not know what to feed it. He has tried
almost everything. Can you tell me what kind of food box turtles like
to eat?
Carl Hollis, Cameron
Turtles will eat worms, grubs, bananas, squash
peelings and canned dog food. They also like tomatoes, potato peelings,
strawberry plants and alfalfa. It's best to feed a turtle about the same
time every day, and place the food in the same spot. Sometimes turtles
don't do well indoors. Your friend might consider letting it go where
he found it, or letting it roam in his backyard. |
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