Ask Scarlett - science - Brief Article

Ranger Rick, Sept, 2001

I've always wondered why a frog's eyes stick up the way they do. Isn't that strange? Lucy S., Maryland

Not if you're a frog! Frogs can't turn their heads from side to side the way you can. So the big stick-up eyes help them see all around without moving. They even help a frog see what's going on above water while the rest of its body stays safely hidden underwater.

What should we do with the nest in our birdhouse, now that the birds are gone? Scott N., Oklahoma

Many people toss out the old nest. They figure a clean, fresh start for the next year is the way to go. But some scientists wondered whether that was really a good idea. So they set up a test to find out.

Here's what happened: When given a choice, some kinds of birds--such as bluebirds and purple martins--picked a "dirty" box over a cleaned-out one. Others--such as tree swallows--liked an empty one best. Still others--such as house wrens--didn't seem to care one way or the other.

The scientists aren't sure why some birds like a clean box and others aren't fussy. So they're still testing. Maybe you can try your own backyard test: Leave the old nest in the box and see if the birds come back next year. If they do, great. If they don't, then clean it out and try again.

How often does lightning strike? Kona R., Florida

Oh, only about 10 million times a day or more than 100 times a second! Good thing that's spread out all around the world, huh?

Most flashes of lightning zip from cloud to cloud, but many strike the ground. So, if you're outside and hear thunder, head for cover. Inside a closed building or closed car is the safest place to be. If you can't get inside, at least stay away from water, anything made of metal, and lone trees out in the open. Stay off hills too. (Lightning strikes the first thing it can reach.) Then make yourself small by crouching, not lying down.

GOT A QUESTION? If you have a puzzling nature question that you can't find an answer to, send it to Scarlett Fox at Ranger Rick, Dept. AS; 11100 Wildlife Center Drive, Reston, VA 20190-5362 or e-mail rick@nwf.org