HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SNOOTY!
We people aren’t the only lucky ones who get to celebrate birthdays. Today Snooty turns 68 years old. Snooty is a manatee, a funny-looking sea animal with a big snout (they’re cousins of the elephant). He’s the oldest living manatee in “captivity,” meaning people take care of him. In fact, he might be breaking the record for all manatees living in the ocean, too. Normally these big, lumpy ocean creatures don’t live past 60 years. But Snooty has a pretty easy life. He swims around his pool, poses for pictures, and eats a nice healthy 80 pounds of lettuce and veggies every day. It doesn’t sound exciting to us, but it’s working for him.
Wee ones: If Snooty munches lettuce, then swims, then munches, then swims, then munches…what do you think he does next?
Little kids: If Snooty is 68 years old today, what was his age yesterday? Bonus: How old will he turn 2 years from today?
Big kids: Manatees spend about 1/2 the day sleeping. How many hours is that? (Reminder if needed: a day has 24 hours.)
Bonus: If Snooty spends 1/3 of the rest of his time eating, how much time does he have left for swimming?
Answers:
Wee ones: He swims.
Little kids: 67 years old. Bonus: 70 years!
Big kids: 12 hours. Bonus: 8 hours, since he spends 4 hours eating (1/3 of 12).
Wee ones: If Snooty munches lettuce, then swims, then munches, then swims, then munches…what do you think he does next?
Little kids: If Snooty is 68 years old today, what was his age yesterday? Bonus: How old will he turn 2 years from today?
Big kids: Manatees spend about 1/2 the day sleeping. How many hours is that? (Reminder if needed: a day has 24 hours.)
Bonus: If Snooty spends 1/3 of the rest of his time eating, how much time does he have left for swimming?
Answers:
Wee ones: He swims.
Little kids: 67 years old. Bonus: 70 years!
Big kids: 12 hours. Bonus: 8 hours, since he spends 4 hours eating (1/3 of 12).