Animals

Cats purr when they feel calm and happy, like when you gently stroke them. They also purr to comfort themselves when they are scared or hurt, a little like humming to feel better.

Whiskers help a cat feel the world around it, even in the dark. A cat can tell if a gap is wide enough to fit through just by touching it with its whiskers.

Cats save their energy for short bursts of running and pouncing, so they rest a lot in between. Many cats sleep for twelve to sixteen hours a day.

Cats cannot see in complete darkness, but they see much better than we do when there is only a little light. A special layer at the back of their eyes catches the tiny bit of light and uses it twice.

Dogs use their tails to show how they feel, a bit like we use our faces. A loose, happy wag usually means they are glad to see you, but a stiff tail can mean they are unsure.

A dog's nose is its most powerful sense, far stronger than ours. Sniffing lets a dog learn who has been there, where they went and how they were feeling, almost like reading a story.

Dogs cannot sweat all over their skin the way we do, so they pant to cool down. Breathing fast with the tongue out lets warm air and water leave their body.

A dog's nose stays a little wet to help it catch smells from the air. The damp surface grabs tiny scent bits, so a wet nose means better sniffing.

Bees gather pollen and sweet nectar from flowers to feed themselves and their hive. As they move from flower to flower, they help new flowers, fruit and vegetables grow.

Bees drink sweet nectar from flowers and carry it home in a special tummy. Back in the hive they turn it into honey and store it as food for the cold winter days.

The buzzing sound comes from a bee's wings beating very, very fast as it flies. It is not the bee's voice, it is the sound of the air moving.

When a bee finds good flowers, it flies home and does a little wiggling dance. The way it dances tells the other bees which direction to fly and how far to go.

Owls have very big eyes that soak up even a little bit of light, so they can see when it is almost dark. They also hear so well that they can find a mouse just by the sound it makes.

Fireflies make a soft light in their bellies to send messages to other fireflies in the dark. Their little flashes are a way of saying hello and finding a friend.

Bats rest hanging upside down because their legs are too weak to stand, but perfect for holding on. Hanging high also lets them drop straight into the air and fly away fast if they need to.

Some animals sleep in the daytime and wake up at night when it is cooler and quieter. Night is a good time for them to hunt for food while other animals are asleep.