Squirrels gather seeds and nuts and bury them underground to dig up later during winter, when it’s not so easy to find fresh food. Well, thanks to one forgetful Ice Age squirrel, scientists found a batch of 32,000-year-old seeds, and grew one into a plant! The cold kept the seeds from rotting so they could still grow into flowers today. Squirrels forget 3 out of every 4 seeds they bury – we’re glad our furry friends are so confused!
Wee ones: A seed can fit on the tip of your finger. Try to find 1 thing of that size in your room.
Little kids: If a squirrel can stuff 10 seeds into 1 cheek and 2 acorns into the other, how many yummy treats can she carry? Bonus: How many more seeds than acorns does she have?
Big kids: If a squirrel buries 16 acorns and finds only 1 out of each set of 4, how many does he dig up? Bonus: If he buries 60 acorns the next year, how many will he forget?
Answers:
Wee ones: Items might include a button or a tiny piece of Lego.
Little kids: 12 treats. Bonus: 8 more seeds than acorns.
Big kids: 4 acorns. Bonus: 45 acorns, since he’ll dig up only 15.
