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The Learning Kingdom's Cool Fact of the Day for July 15, 1998
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What bird leads other animals to food?
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The greater honey guide bird of eastern Africa (Indicator indicator)
loves to eat honey but it can't open bees' nests by itself. So when
it finds one, it goes looking for an animal called a ratel, or honey
badger (Mellivora capensis).
The bird calls out loudly, attracting the badger's attention. Then it
flies toward the bees' nest, making sure the badger is following. On
arriving, the badger tears open the nest with its strong claws, and
badger and bird both feast on honey, beeswax, and bee larvae.
The honey guide bird also knows about another species of creature that
loves honey: humans! African tribesmen follow the birds for the same
reasons.
The scientific name of the honey badger starts with "mell-", a Latin
root meaning "honey". For another great word with this root, see
today's Cool Word: http://www.cool-word.com/archive/1998/07/15.html
More about honey guides and badgers:
http://www.geocities.com/~brockwatch/2melliv1.html
http://www.geocities.com/~brockwatch/2melliv2.html
Today's sponsor: Soleil Software <http://www.soleil.com>
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in Spanish, French and English. Then test your knowledge in the Animal
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introduces children to the world's languages, cultures and wildlife.
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Copyright (c) 1998, The Learning Kingdom, Inc.
http://www.LearningKingdom.com
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