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| Carl Sagan's COSMOS is one of the most influential science programs ever made.
Q. Does the moon have a dark side?
A. The moon does have a far side which is impossible to see from the earth, but it doesn't mean that it's always dark. Each side of the moon is dark for no longer than 15 days at a time.
Q. Where does sound come from?
A. The air is always filled with sound waves. All things give off vibrations, but some have a low frequency which most cannot hear. The reason: it may take 3 minutes to make a single vibration. They may be caused by earthquakes and storms.
Did You Know?
The microwave was invented after a researcher walked by a radar tube and a chocolate bar melted in his pocket.
Coke-a-Cola was originally green.
Rubberbands last longer when refrigerated.
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Prairie Dogs and Groundhogs
by Jeanette Cain
The American prairie dog is often called the wishtonwish, or the prairie marmot. It lives on the prairies of the Western states and prairie areas of Texas. The burrows may house as many as several hundred families, giving them the name of dog-towns. Around the entrance hole to the burrow is a small mound where many are seen stretching toward the sky and talking a look around the neighborhood. Prairie dogs are very noisy, having chirping sounds called barking. The burrow's tunnel may go for some distance before ending in a nest of dry grass. Always watchful, should a human or other animal come near, prairie dogs will dive into their burrow hole, but will often peep out fifteen minutes later to take another look around.
Prairie dogs share their burrow villages with owls and rattlesnakes. There seems to be a friendship among the creatures of the prairies, but every rule has an exception. There has been evidence to suggest that owls may feed on young prairie dogs. During the Lewis and Clark expedition, a burrow was dug up containing a rattlesnake within, while a prairie dog was found within the rattlesnake's stomach. But, all in all, the three seem to live together on good terms.
The Maryland marmot, also called woodchuck and groundhog, spends the better part of its day sleeping inside its burrow. On occasion, it will come out and take a look around. If the groundhog is surprised, or frightened, he will run very fast to escape the danger. If it has not been too badly scared, the groundhog will stop and squat on the ground, while looking around very slyly to see if anything has noticed him. The groundhog is quite capable of defending himself with a hard bite. They have had battles with dogs, but usually with a couple of hard bites, the dogs will leave. Groundhogs are solitary creatures preferring to keep company with family only, not gathering in small groups or societies. They normally have burrows on a hill slope, beneath rocks, or near a tree root. The tunnels from the hole's opening may be as long as 20 to 30 feet. The first four or five feet will be in a descending position and then ascend to a large round chamber used as the family's sleeping chambers.
February 2 is now known as Groundhog Day, but was once the Candlemas Day of yesteryear. The groundhog of America supposedly comes out of its burrow to observe the weather. When the groundhog see's his shadow, the weather is expected to stay cold for another six weeks. This weather-prophet was a superstition brought to America by the first English settlers, but is so popular, that Groundhog Day is always mentioned in the news.
Source:
1. Editors. The World Book Encyclopedia. World Book-Childcraft International, Inc: Chicago. 1990
Prairie Dogs @ nationalgeographic.com
Article and picture of prairie dog burrows and life.
The Nature Guide Gallery-Gopher
Images, identification, and behavior of groundhogs.
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