Eggs-travaganza with Happy Dancing Turtle - Winona Public Library

Eggs-travaganza with
                  Happy Dancing Turtle
    During the spring, we can observe the young of many wildlife
 species! Animals can be split into two major groups when it comes to
 babies. Viviparous animals, like humans, develop young inside the
 parent and give live birth. Oviparous animals, like birds, lay eggs and
 the young develop inside the eggs before hatching.

    Scientists estimate that about 99% of animals hatch out of eggs!
 Wow! How can that be? Well, most of the animals in the world are
 insects, and most insects hatch from eggs! Many of the animals we're
 most familiar with are vertebrates, meaning they have a back bone.
 There are five major groups of vertebrates. The "general rule" is
 mammals give live birth and the others lay eggs, but let's see if that's
 true! Can you name some animals in each group?!

   1. Mammals - Almost every mammal gives live birth (except
   the platypus and the echidna).
   2. Reptiles - Most lay eggs, but there are numerous snakes
   and lizards that give live birth.
   3. Fish - A very small percentage of fish are known to give live
   birth, including some sharks! Most fish lay eggs.
   4. Amphibians - Almost all lay eggs, but there are a handful
   of frogs that have recently been discovered to give live birth!
   5. Birds - All species of birds lay eggs.

    Spend some time brainstorming what other traits fit each animal group!!
(Example: think fur, scales, feathers; how they move, breathe, grow; where
they live; warm vs. cold blooded; etc.
   Eggs can come in all different forms! They come in all different
colors, patterns, and textures. Some are bright blue, some are speckled
and camouflage with their surroundings, some are hard, and some are
soft or gooey! They can be laid in the water, underground, or in a nest.

  Learn more about eggs with the activities and science experiments
on the next pages!

   Happy Dancing Turtle is planning a public Spring Egg Hunt in
mid-April, giving families something to do outside while
learning more about egg-laying animals! Details will be posted
on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HDTDriftlessRegion

The Eggs-traordinary Egg
Humans eat chicken eggs and often use them in cooking/baking (unless you're
allergic). Let's take a closer look at the chicken egg! Parents: use the text below to
explain each part as you find it in your egg!

             a bowl

Eggshell: hard protective covering, but gasses (like oxygen) can get through the eggshell! Shell
Membranes (inner & outer): help protect the egg from bacteria & prevent moisture from leaving the
egg too quickly. Air cell: forms at the large end of the egg, chicks use before hatching. Albumen: the
liquid where the embryo develops, has protein necessary for development. Chalazae(plural): made from
special proteins, these twisted cords can be seen in very fresh eggs and help hold the yolk in place. Yolk:
contains vitamins, minerals, & fat, is a food source for the developing embryo (if fertilized & growing a
baby chick). Germ-Spot: white spot on the egg where the hen's DNA is stored (if fertilized, both male &
female genetic material).

More Eggs-tra Fun Activities!
Make A Reptile Egg!
Bird eggs are typically laid in a nest and have a hard shell to protect them
from the environment. This hard shell & the membranes inside also helps
keep moisture inside the egg so it doesn't dry out! Reptiles, like snakes or
crocodiles, typically lay their eggs underground, where they are not as likely
to dry out. Their shell feels a little bit like leather. Amphibians, like frogs, and
fish lay their eggs in the water and they feel really gooey, kind of like a
waterbead! Let's make a reptile egg to see how it feels.

Materials:
1 Egg, uncooked without cracks
White vinegar
Spoon
Bowl or cup - clear containers work best, as it is easier to see!

Instructions:
  Place an unboiled egg into a container of vinegar.
  Observe what happens when you place the egg in the vinegar. What do
  you see?
  Eggshells are made from calcium carbonate, which dissolves in weak
  acids, like vinegar! The bubbles are a sign a chemical reaction is taking
  place.
  Put your egg somewhere out of the way where it won't be
  bumped. Continue to periodically check on your egg and make
  observations.
  After 24 hours, you can gently drain the vinegar from the container, and
  replace with fresh vinegar. It *may* help speed up the process. Continue to
  observe your egg until it looks like all of your shell has dissolved (2-3 days)
  When the shell appears to be gone, gently (they can break!) scoop your
  egg out of the vinegar using the spoon. How does it feel? Your now
  "naked" egg has a similar texture to the leathery eggs of reptiles.

Eggs-tra Steps!
  Does your rubbery egg bounce? Try gently dropping it from about 1 inch
  above a surface. Did it bounce? Try dropping it from slightly higher and
  higher, increasing at about half an inch per drop. What height does it
  finally break at? (Be prepared for a bit of a mess when it breaks!
  Remember to carefully clean up raw egg!!)
  Your rubbery egg lets liquid in and out through the membrane. If you put
  your egg in a cup of water, it will actually grow! The water content inside
  of an egg is about 90%, so when it's placed into a cup of 100% water, water
  will enter through the egg's membrane due to a process called osmosis!

More Egg Activities
 DIY Eggshell Geodes (search online for directions)
 Can you blow a hard boiled egg out of the shell?! (Look for video tutorials)
 Make Your Own Nest! Collect natural materials from your yard to create
 your own nest! Sticks, twigs, dried plant materials, & even mud! Can
 you do it without glue? Birds don't get glue, how do they do it?

Camouflage Eggs
Many animals rely on camouflage to help keep their nest and eggs safe! Can
you color these eggs to help them camouflage?

Camouflage Eggs
Many animals rely on camouflage to help keep their nest and eggs safe! Can
you design your own egg pattern to camouflage somewhere in your house or
yard?