Education:Science Projects: All Thumbs
Try this fun experiment!
What you need
You will need some tape (like masking tape) and a hand.
What you do
Tape your thumb to your hand.
Now try to:
• Tie your shoelaces
• Write a note
• Eat some food
• Button your shirt
Humans, and many
primates,
have opposable thumbs. That means our thumbs are placed opposite our
fingers to help use grab and grip things. Just imagine what life would
be like without an opposable thumb!
Can you name an animal with an opposable thumb? Do other animals have
body parts that help them grip and grab? Well, giraffes have tongues,
and some monkeys have tails!
What do we call a body part that is used for gripping or grabbing? Prehensile!
Aren't you glad you have a prehensile body part?
Catch Dr. Zoolittle in an entertaining show in the San Diego Zoo's Children's Zoo daily during the summer and every weekend and school holiday.
