Creature Feature
The Abominable Snowman, also know as the Yeti
The Abominable Snowman is a big, furry creature that lives high up in the snowy mountains of the Himalayas. People say it’s as tall as a basketball player and covered in white or brown fur to help it stay warm in the freezing cold. The Yeti is very shy and loves to stay hidden, but it leaves behind giant footprints in the snow! Some stories say the Yeti is a gentle guardian of the mountains, keeping the snow safe and magical. While no one has ever proven the Yeti is real, it’s fun to imagine this frosty friend wandering through the snowy peaks, chuckling as it hides behind the trees!
The Himalayas are some of the tallest mountains in the world, with Mount Everest being the highest of them all! These mountains stretch across countries like Nepal, India, and Tibet. Even though it’s very cold and snowy up high, people do live in the lower parts of the Himalayas. They are called Sherpas, and they are amazing mountain climbers who help explorers and adventurers. The Himalayas are also home to animals like snow leopards, red pandas, and yaks. Maybe the Yeti is their secret snowy neighbor!
The Science Lab
Why Does Winter Happen?
Why Does Winter Happen?
Why Does Winter Happen?
Winter happens because the Earth is tilted on its axis! As our planet orbits the Sun, the Northern Hemisphere tilts away from the Sun during certain months, making it colder and giving us shorter days. Meanwhile, the Southern Hemisphere is enjoying summer!
What Makes Snow?
Why Does Winter Happen?
Why Does Winter Happen?
Snow forms when water vapor in the air freezes into tiny ice crystals. These crystals stick together to make snowflakes, and no two snowflakes are exactly alike!
What are Icicles?
Why Does Winter Happen?
What are Icicles?
Icicles form when melting snow drips off a surface, like a roof, and freezes again as it falls. The cold air turns the water into ice, layer by layer, creating those long, pointy shapes. They grow bigger when the sun melts more snow during the day, and the cold freezes it again at night!
Hibernation
Thick Fur & Feathers
What are Icicles?
Some animals, like bears and bats, hibernate during winter. This means they go into a deep sleep to save energy when food is hard to find. Their heart rate and body temperature drop, and they live off stored fat until spring!
Migration
Thick Fur & Feathers
Thick Fur & Feathers
Many birds, like geese, migrate to warmer places during winter. They fly thousands of miles to find food and escape the cold. Monarch butterflies and even some whales migrate, too!
Thick Fur & Feathers
Thick Fur & Feathers
Thick Fur & Feathers
Animals like Arctic foxes and penguins grow thick fur or feathers to stay warm in freezing temperatures. Their coats trap heat, and some even change color to blend into snowy surroundings!
Fun Fact
Did You Know?
Did You Know?
The coldest temperature ever recorded on Earth was -128.6°F (-89.2°C) in Antarctica. Brrr!
Did You Know?
Did You Know?
Did You Know?
Snow isn’t actually white—it’s clear! The tiny ice crystals reflect light, making it look white.
Quiz: Trivia
Did You Know?
Quiz: Trivia
What’s the name of the shortest day of the year?
❄️ Winter Solstice
Arctic Fox Facts
Did you know that Arctic foxes can survive temperatures as low as -58°F because of their thick fur and bushy tails? They also have small ears and short legs to keep heat from escaping, and their fur changes color with the seasons—white in winter to blend with snow, and brown or gray in summer to match the tundra!
