Meadow Grasshopper
Have you ever wished you had strong jumping legs? Or maybe you wished you could shrink down to a tiny insect size. Maybe you’ve wished you had the ability to chirp and make super cool noises with your legs or wings.
Well, today we’re going to pretend that we are a Meadow Grasshopper! Let’s learn more about this amazing insect!
1-2-3 SHRINK RAY!
Critter At A Glance
What are this critter’s talents? These grasshoppers may be the only flightless grasshoppers in the UK, but they have a strong jump and super smell sensing antenna. They are also good at camouflaging into their environment. One of their key features is a set of parallel bars on the backs of their necks. This marking tells you that it is a Meadow Grasshopper, not one of the other 11,000 types in the world!
What do we know about their life cycle? The grasshoppers lay 4-6 eggs and when the temperature is just right they can go from just laid eggs to fully developed grasshoppers in 30 days. If it's cold, the eggs can stay unhatched for 3 years!
What do they need to survive? These critters eat all kinds of vegetation and need a moist environment. They live in tall grasses, along marshes and meadows, or mountain valleys.
Let’s listen into the story about Anders, the Meadow Grasshopper nymph.
Are you ready for an out of this world fact?
A male calls for the female by rubbing its hind legs against its wings to create a song.
Critter Protectors
we need you to join the CritterQ!
Today’s activity requires some careful listening!
Print off 1 set of pictures per person here =>
Cut out each picture.
Warm up by listening to each animal sound below.
Play the 3 insect sounds randomly and try to line up your pictures in the order that you hear them.
Don’t forget to share your critter finds for a chance to be featured in our Critter Protector videos! #heymrjim
“Meadow Grasshopper: 15 Facts You Won’t Believe!” Free Ideas For Family Fun & Learning | Kidadl, https://kidadl.com/animal-facts/meadow-grasshopper-facts. Accessed 25 Apr. 2022.