Orbit: Science for kids on the move!

Sea otters aren't just adorable! They're a critically important keystone species for a fascinating underwater ecosystem - kelp forests!

In this episode of the Wild Critters series, we're joined by marine biologist and sea otter expert Leilani Konrad from the Monterey Bay Aquarium, who teaches us about sea otters, the relationship with kelp and sea urchins, how they are on the of the few animals to use tools, and the incredible role of foster moms in raising orphaned pups!

Part of the Wild Critters series with PBS Nature and the National Wildlife Federation.
➡️ Ranger Rick Magazine: https://www.rangerrick.org 
➡️ Monterey Bay Aquarium: https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/
➡️ The book that Sam mentioned: "Odder: An Otter's story": link
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💛 Support this podcast by joining The Curious Club 
🖍️ Episode coloring pages 
🎧 Cumbre Kids website 
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Three mountain lion cubs were left orphaned in the California wilderness, and a team of scientists raced to find them before it was too late! 
In this episode of the Wild Critters USA series on Orbit, families meet wildlife ambassador Marco Wendt from the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. We learn about the incredibly versatile mountain lion - which can be found from Canada all the way down to Argentina - including what makes it a stealthy hunter and how it adapts to an incredible variety of environments! 
Part of the Wild Critters series with PBS Nature and the National Wildlife Federation. 
Ranger Rick Magazine: https://www.rangerrick.org 
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Explorers: https://sdzwildlifeexplorers.org/ 
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance: https://sandiegozoowildlifealliance.org/ 
Orbit links
💬 Submit your kids' questions! Click here to get started 
💛 Support this podcast by joining The Curious Club 
🖍️ Episode coloring pages 
🎧 Cumbre Kids website 
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 A message for parents about our values: Read more

Did you know a coral reef, one of the largest structures ever built by a living creature, is made by an animal smaller than a grain of rice!? And that corals aren't plants or rocks at all, but tiny animals related to jellyfish and sea anemones!?
In this episode, marine scientist Dr. Mike Henley from the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute joins Orbit to explore the underwater world of coral reefs! Learn how thousands of tiny coral polyps build a single reef, how corals make babies during massive "spawning" events that look like an underwater snowstorm, why reefs support a quarter of all ocean life, and what coral bleaching really means for a reef's health. We also hear from David Mizejewski of Ranger Rick Magazine about which animals actually eat coral!
➡️ Part of the Wild Critters series, created with PBS Nature and the National Wildlife Federation
➡️ Learn more about wildlife with Ranger Rick Magazine: https://rangerrick.org/
➡️ Explore ocean science with the Smithsonian: https://ocean.si.edu/
➡️ Coral reef resources from NOAA: https://coralreef.noaa.gov/
Orbit Family Conversation Starters: Would you ever want to go snorkeling or scuba diving to see a real coral reef? Which reef in the world would you want to visit?
Continue learning as a family: Play "Build a Coral Reef Neighborhood" together, just like Milam did in this episode! Pick five sea creatures to be your reef neighbors, and talk about why you chose each one.
Orbit links
💬 Submit your kids' questions! Click here to get started 
💛 Support this podcast by joining The Curious Club 
🖍️ Episode coloring pages 
🎧 Cumbre Kids website 
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 A message for parents about our values: Read more

Ever heard of the SUPER GENERATION of the monarch butterfly!? This little insect goes on one of the most incredible journeys in the whole animal kingdom!  
To learn more, we're joined in this episode by Dr. Dorothy Borowy, an ecologist with the U.S. National Park Service! We also have a new friend! Margaret joins Orbit to cohost and help us bring a chrysalis to life for families! 
➡️ Part of the Wild Critters series, created with PBS Nature and the National Wildlife Federation 
➡️ Learn more about wildlife with Ranger Rick Magazine: https://rangerrick.org/ 
➡️ Milkweed and Monarch resources from the National Wildlife Federation: https://bit.ly/4qxUsO5 
Orbit Family Conversation Starters: If you could make a migration like a monarch butterfly, where would you go and why? 
Continue learning as a family: Continue learning about milkweed and monarch butterflies! Plant milkweed in your garden or another species of native plant to help local pollinators! 
Orbit links
💬 Submit your kids' questions! Click here to get started 
💛 Support this podcast by joining The Curious Club 
🖍️ Episode coloring pages 
🎧 Cumbre Kids website 
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 A message for parents about our values: Read more

Ever wonder how a turtle can trick worms into coming out of the ground just by dancing?! Or how scientists can tell a turtle's age just by looking at its shell?!
We're continuing the Wild Critters series to learn all about wood turtles with turtle biologist Chris Polinski from the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute! Along the way, learn why mama wood turtles travel for miles to lay their eggs, and exactly what to do if you're lucky enough to spot one in the wild!
➡️ Part of the Wild Critters series, created with PBS Nature and the National Wildlife Federation
➡️ Learn more about wildlife with Ranger Rick Magazine: https://rangerrick.org/
➡️ Learn more about the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute: https://nationalzoo.si.edu/
Orbit Family Conversation Starters: Why do you think stomping on the ground to imitate rain tricks worms into coming to the surface?
Continue learning as a family: Go to a local park as a family and close your eyes and listen. What sounds do you hear that are "nature sounds" and what sounds are "people sounds?" Talk about what turtles like Wanda must think! 
Orbit links
💬 Submit your kids' questions! Click here to get started 
💛 Support this podcast by joining The Curious Club 
🖍️ Episode coloring pages 
🎧 Cumbre Kids website 
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 A message for parents about our values: Read more