Ask Scarlett

Ranger Rick, Nov 1, 1998

Why do bats hang upside down? Danielle Jones; N. Little Rock, AR

Probably because it's the best way to make a quick getaway! Most bats can't take off from a standing position on the ground. But when they hang up high by their feet, all they have to do is let go, spread their wings, and then flap away. And that comes in especially handy if a predator happens to get too close.

Are there fewer newts than there once were? Karen Cologne; Oakton, VA

No newts are on the U.S. endangered species list right now. (Guess you could say that, in this case, "No newts is good newts.") But several kinds are in trouble. And some scientists think that newts in many places aren't doing as well as they used to. Pollution could be one reason. Another could be fewer places for newts to live. That's mostly because people keep taking over their habitats. And then there's still another problem: Some people like to keep newts as pets. But when lots of newts are collected and sold to pet shops, that leaves fewer behind in the wild. The best way to have a "pet" newt is to watch one in the wild. You can find out more about newts in the July 1998 issue of Ranger Rick.

How come I never see any flying squirrels? Terrie Tyler; Frederick, MD

Flying squirrels live all across the eastern U.S. and are active all year round (unless it's very cold). But these small creatures are out only after dark and only in wooded areas. If your yard has lots of big trees, maybe you can invite some flying squirrels over. Attach a board--as high as you can reach--to a tree near your house. Smear peanut butter on it just as the sun goes down. Check early the next morning to see if the snack is gone. Add more each night for a week or so. As your feeder gets regular visits, you can add sunflower seeds. Try leaving a light shining on the feeder to watch your furry night visitors from a window. (Check the front cover and turn to page 36 to see the animal you're looking for.)

How do ocean animals get the water they need without getting too much salt? Ashley Bailey; Winchester, KY

Ocean animals usually get most of their water from the food they eat. When their bodies take in too much salt from the food or from the water around them, they have to get rid of it. Different animals do that in different ways. Take the sea snake: It has a salt gland under its tongue. The gland collects any extra salt that gets into the animal's blood. Then the snake "spits" it back out into the sea with a flick of the tongue. Sea birds have salt glands too. But they dribble the extra salt out through their noses. Saltwater fish get rid of salt through their gills--or by pooping it out!

Why can't some plants--like bananas--grow where I live? Joshua O'Neal; Piper City, IL

Because the climate there is all wrong. Bananas are tropical plants. They grow in places where it's warm and humid year round. They'd never make it through a winter in Illinois! Different kinds of plants have different needs for surviving. Each kind needs the right type of soil, the right amounts of light and moisture, and the right temperatures. Some kinds even depend on other living things, such as a certain animal to pollinate their flowers. For banana plants to get all the things they need, they have to grow in a particular place. And Illinois is NOT it!

Answer to Hidden Bird game on page 29: