Ostrich Chicks in the Kalahari
In Ostrich Chicks in the Kalahari narrator Sir David Attenborough describes how ostrich parents tirelessly search for water in the Kalahari Desert. After a long day, they find a watering hole teeming with giraffes, elephants, and zebras. However, danger looms as predators are nearby. When these predators chase away the larger animals, the ostrich family takes the opportunity to drink, demonstrating how survival requires adapting to challenges and opportunities. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Africa, a study of the landscape and wildlife of the world’s wildest continent, Africa.
Lesson Express
Q: How do the predators at the watering hole help the ostrich family?
A: The predators, like lions and tigers, scare away the larger animals at the watering hole, which gives the ostrich family the chance to drink water safely without having to compete with the bigger animals.
Q: What might happen if the ostrich parents didn’t find water for their chicks?
A: If the ostrich parents couldn’t find water for their chicks, the chicks would likely not survive because they need water to stay hydrated. This shows how crucial water is for survival in such a dry environment.
Q: What does this video teach us about how animals adapt to their environment?
A: The video shows how animals, like the ostriches, adapt to challenges by being patient and waiting for the right moment to drink water. They use the behavior of predators to their advantage, demonstrating how survival depends on making the most of opportunities in their environment.
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