I love animals - Reading, questions and craft for small kids - Part 47 Toucan

If you know the cereal 'Fruit Loops' you will know what a toucan looks like, because Toucan Sam loves his fruit loops. :)

Since the 1960's, Toucan Sam, a cartoon mascot, has been used as the face of Kellogg's breakfast cereal Fruit Loops. 

                                 

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The family Ramphastidae includes toucans, toucanets and the smaller toucan called aracaris. There are about 40 different species. 

• Do research and find at least 5 kinds of toucans - find a picture of each and 2 facts on each.

These birds are found naturally in Mexico and Central and South America.  They like the tropical weather and you will find them in the jungles in these areas.

• What does it mean when we say an animal is found there naturally and does it mean you cannot find it it any other place?

The toucan has a very large beak and you would think he has to carry a heavy load, but this beak is very light and made of the same material that is in hair and nails called keratin.  It is believed that the reason for such a big beak is to keep the bird cool.

Even though the beak is light, it is still very strong and can be used to fight and to dig.  The toucan has a long tongue of about 15 cm.

A toucan can fly, not very well and not very far, since their wings are very small, but this does not bother them, since they can easily move from one branch to another by hopping and grabbing the branch with their sharp claws.

The toucan lives off fruit but it will also eat insects and even small lizards.  It lives together in groups and will make its nests inside a hollow tree or a hole in a tree that were made by woodpeckers.

Toucans are quite noisy and they can live up to 20 years.  They are hunted by jaguars and other big cats like tiger, depending on where they live.

• Watch the video for an idea on some paper craft

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