{"id":584171,"date":"2021-05-04T13:14:11","date_gmt":"2021-05-04T17:14:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.earthrangers.com\/?p=584171"},"modified":"2022-01-18T10:42:29","modified_gmt":"2022-01-18T15:42:29","slug":"eco-activity-124-wrapping-up-our-creature-features-with-a-whale-of-an-activity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.earthrangers.com\/EN\/CA\/eco-activities\/eco-activity-124-wrapping-up-our-creature-features-with-a-whale-of-an-activity\/","title":{"rendered":"Eco-Activity: Wrapping up our Creature Features with a whale of an activity!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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With Earth Month over, it\u2019s time to say goodbye to our Creature Feature series, but we\u2019re sending it off with a fun experiment perfect for your whole pod!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Belugas are an important part of the Arctic ecosystems they call home. They are a top predator, which means changes in their populations can have huge impacts on many species down the food chain. They\u2019re also a critical resource for Indigenous communities. Sadly climate change is threatening their habitats, but you can help! Click here to learn more.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Did you know whales live in every ocean in the world?! These widely distributed wonders are some of the most recognizable mammals on the planet, and with their bright white skin and melon-shaped heads, the beluga is no exception! With all the time they spend roaming the chilly waters of the Arctic and sub-Arctic, you might be wondering how they keep warm. Today we\u2019re going to show you firsthand! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s what you\u2019ll need:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

– Vegetable shortening<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– Icy water in a container large enough for little hands<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– Medium-sized zipper sandwich bags<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– Duct tape<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s what to do:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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1)<\/strong> Use one of your bags as a glove to fill the other bag about a quarter full with shortening\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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2)<\/strong> Place the glove bag inside the bag with the shortening. Fold the edges over and secure it with duct tape. The goal is to keep the inside of the glove bag clean, so that when you reach your hand into the two bags taped together you\u2019ll only feel the shortening through the bag!\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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3) <\/strong>Now it\u2019s time to feel the chill! Place an ungloved hand directly in the ice water container. Cold, right?! Now, place your other hand in the water using your \u201cshortening bag\u201d was a glove. What do you notice? The shortening acts like blubber, which is the thick layer of fat that belugas have to help protect them from the frigid temperatures they live in. Thanks to some simple science, it\u2019s easy to see how belugas keep warm!\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/sr7-adjuster>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Earth Rangers App is where kids go to save animals! It\u2019s free to join and you\u2019ll have access to real-world Missions like this one. Plus, you can adopt an animal to support conservation projects, and learn all about animals in the Wild Wire Blog. <\/sr7-txt>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFind activities like this, and so much more in the App!
\n<\/sr7-txt>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/sr7-slide>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/sr7-slide>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/sr7-content>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/image_lists>\n\t\t\t\t<\/sr7-module>\n\t\t\t\t