How do animals find food in the dark ground?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. How do animals find food in the dark ground?

The Big Idea

It is pitch dark underground. So how do animals find a meal? They use every sense except sight!

Following Smells

Step one: Following Smells. A worm follows chemicals from decaying leaves. A beetle grub senses carbon dioxide given off by roots.

Feeling Movement

Step two: Feeling Movement. A mole feels tiny movements with its sensitive snout. That helps it find worms and insects.

Following Trails

Step three: Following Trails. Some animals follow trails left by others. Without sight, these senses become sharp tools for finding a meal.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! Smell leads to food. Taste checks it. Touch finds the way. Vibrations show what is moving.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Roots give off tiny amounts of chemicals that attract helpful microbes. The star-nosed mole has a nose with 22 fleshy fingers for feeling food. Ants leave scent trails that lead others to food. Without sight, other senses do the work.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! With a grown-up helper, put a drop of vanilla on a cotton ball and hide it nearby. Let a friend try to find it blindfolded, by smell. Stay sitting down or move slowly, away from stairs. How close did they get? Then switch places.

Outro

Animals find food in the dark ground by smell, taste, touch, and vibrations. Worms follow chemicals, grubs sense roots, and moles feel tiny movements with their snouts. Science is amazing! Remember, every big discovery starts with a small question. Keep looking, keep learning, and keep asking why! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!