 I noticed that when the car headlights
shine on some animals along the road, their eyes glow, or look like it.
Do they really glow? How?
Rebekah-Lynn, 11
 Many animals that are primarily active at night
have a reflective membrane, called the tapetum lucidum, directly beneath
the retina of their eyes. This specialized membrane collects and reflects
light, allowing the animals to see better in dark conditions. When a light
shines on the eyes of cats, deer, rabbits, walleye and other animals,
the reflected light appears to glow.
|
How do rattlesnakes and other snakes
pump venom into their prey?
Kyle Stefanik, 11.
Venom is kind of a modified saliva that the snake
produces to help it capture and digest prey. Venomous snakes in Missouri
use a muscle to squeeze venom from small sac connected to their fangs
when they bite. Usually, snakes bite people only in self defense. Almost
all snake bites in Missouri are cases in which was the snake was being
handled or felt threatened. |
How come water striders can land
on water without breaking the surface?
Zoe Alsburg, 10
Water striders are spider-like bugs that seem
to race across the calm surface of lakes, ponds and rivers. Tiny water-resistant
hairs on a water strider's legs keep the insect floating on the
surface of the water. They can do this because water has a property - surface
tension - that its top act a bit like elastic film. The water striders
stand on the water the way we might stand on a trampoline. |
Why do little birds chase bigger
birds and pick on them in the air?
Andrew Eck, 12
Small birds often harass bigger birds to drive
them away. Usually, the smaller birds are protecting their nest or eggs
from predators. However, the behavior may be instinctive and take place
year-round. Crows, for example, instinctively mob owls or hawks.The victims
are typically slower flying, less agile birds like crows, bluejays, owls
and some hawks. Sometimes large numbers of small birds will harass a larger
bird, a behavior called mobbing. |
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