Book 33, Question 43 · Video
Why do some mammals have litters while others have just one baby?
A mouse can have five to ten babies at once, called a litter, while an elephant or a giraffe usually has just one. Small animals face many dangers, so having many babies gives some a better chance. Big animals care for one baby for a long time and invest a lot in it. Each plan fits the animal’s size and way of life.
Read the full answer →Watch on YouTubeSee the series on Amazon
What Crafty Clover says in this video
Intro
Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why do some mammals have litters while others have just one baby?
The Big Idea
A mouse can have ten babies at once! An elephant has just one. Why so different?
Big Litters
Step one: Big Litters. A mouse can have five to ten babies at once, called a litter. Small animals face many dangers, so having many babies gives some a better chance.
Single Babies
Step two: Single Babies. An elephant or a giraffe usually has just one baby at a time. Big animals care for one baby for a long time and invest a lot in it.
Fitting Plans
Step three: Fitting Plans. Each plan fits the animal's size and way of life. Neither plan is better; each one works for that animal.
A Closer Look
Let's take a closer look! 5 to 10. Over 10. One. One.
Quick Facts
Quick facts! A pig can have more than ten piglets in one litter. Mice have litters. Elephants have one baby. Both plans work.
Think Like a Scientist
Now, think like a scientist! Draw a mouse litter. Draw a single elephant calf. Write one reason the mouse plan works. Write one reason the elephant plan works. Compare them.
Outro
A mouse may have five to ten babies in a litter, since small animals face many dangers. Elephants and giraffes usually have one baby and care for it a long time. Each plan fits the animal's size and life. 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!