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Book 32, Question 41 · Video

Why can’t reptiles live at the South Pole?

Video · 1:53 · Crafty Clover explains, from A Million Whys Book 32

Antarctica is too cold and has too few places for reptiles to get warm enough to move, hunt, or lay eggs. No reptiles live on that continent. Even in the far north, only a few hardy kinds, such as certain lizards and snakes, survive in cool places, mostly by spending a long winter underground. A reptile needs warmth from outside, and polar places offer little of it.

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What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why can’t reptiles live at the South Pole?

The Big Idea

Penguins live at the South Pole. But you'll never find a lizard there! Why can't reptiles live in Antarctica?

Too Cold

Step one: Too Cold. Antarctica is too cold, with too few places for reptiles to get warm. Without warmth, they can't move, hunt, or lay eggs, so no reptiles live on that continent.

The Far North

Step two: The Far North. Even in the far north, only a few hardy kinds of lizards and snakes survive in cool places. They spend a long winter underground.

Outside Heat

Step three: Outside Heat. A reptile needs warmth from outside its body. Polar places offer very little of it, so reptiles stay away.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! No reptiles. A few hardy ones. Winter shelter. Needed.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! No snake, lizard, or turtle lives in Antarctica. Northern reptiles spend winter underground. Reptiles need warmth from outside. Penguins make their own body heat.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! Put a sticker on Antarctica on a map. Write why a lizard couldn't live there. Draw a sun on the warmest places on Earth. Compare the two areas. Where would you find the most reptiles?

Outro

Antarctica is too cold for reptiles to warm up enough to move, hunt, or lay eggs, so none live there. Even in the far north, only a few hardy kinds survive by spending long winters underground. Science is amazing! What will you discover next? Every question is a new adventure, so keep wondering and keep exploring with me! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!

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