Morning Starters: Autumn 2 - Bizarre Beasts
Did You Know?
The alien-like tardigrade is a microscopic animal, which is known for its resilience. These tiny creatures, often called water bears, can survive in extreme environments, from scorching deserts to the deep sea. Remarkably, they can endure the vacuum of space, making them one of the toughest life forms on Earth.
Credit: BBC - Natural Histories
Word Challenge
The word microscopic can be broken down into 4 syllables – mi-cro-sco-pic.
List some more 4-syllable words that appear on this page.
Grammar Challenge
Rewrite the sentence below, replacing the underlined adjectives with suitable synonyms.
A tardigrade’s body features eight stubby legs (each tipped with needle-like claws), a rounded body and a pair of simple eyes.
Number Challenge
In a scientific experiment, 5 adult tardigrades laid 12 eggs every day for a week. Two-fiths of the eggs hatched into baby tardigrades.
How many baby tardigrades were created by the end of the experiment?
Critical Thinking
Tardigrades can enter a state called cryptobiosis, where they appear dead but can revive later.
Would you like to come back to life after death? Why? Why not?