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Desert Giant: The World Of The Saguaro Cactus

Language: English | Español

This is the story of the life cycle and ecosystem of the giant saguaro cactus and the animals it helps to support in the desert. In the video LeVar explains the life and seasons of the desert. Inhabitants including jackrabbits, bobcats, Gila monsters, a javelina pig and woodpeckers are a few featured in this segment. He explores how the cactus adapts to the heat and scarcity of water, and explains the appropriate dress for people in a hot, dry climate. A “snake man” gives a close-up look at rattlesnakes.

  

Here are activities to do after watching this episode:

Spinning Snake

You will need:

  • heavy paper
  • crayons
  • scissors
  • string
  1. Cut a circle that is about six inches across.
  2. Draw a spiral for the body of a snake:
  3. Color the snake.
  4. Cut along the lines and gently pull the snake down.
  5. Poke a hole in the tail of the snake and tie a length of string to the tail.
  6. Hang the snake from a high place.

Try this: If you hang the snake over a heat source such as a light bulb, the snake will move when the light is on and once the air is warmed.

  

Animal-Home Detectives

Take a family nature hike to look for homes of various animals. Be aware of special clues that let you know special animals dwell within.

Some clues are:

  • in trees. Look through branches for small nests that are homes for birds. Don’t disturb the nests. If you see larger nests where branches form a Y in a tree, the nest might belong to a squirrel. If you see holes in tree trunks, you might be looking at the front door of a woodpecker’s home.
  • holes in the ground. A hole in the ground can indicate the home of a snake, mole, gopher, groundhog, or mouse. The tinier the hole, the tinier the animal. Look, but don’t put your hand in the hole.
  • in the dirt. Small hills probably are anthills.
  • under rocks. Carefully turn over larger rocks, and you may see all sorts of insects scurrying about.

Check out some of these books on your
next trip to the library:

  • Snakes Are Hunters by Patricia Lauber
  • Cactus by Cynthia Overbeck
  • A Living Desert by Guy J. Spencer

READING RAINBOW has a resource library that includes teacher guide materials as well as reading programs for use in the public libraries. You can download these resources from GPN at:
www.gpnresources.com

If you would like more information about READING RAINBOW or if you would like to learn more about other educational products please visit the GPN web site.

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