Hamster Life Cycle

Hamsters make great pets, are clean and easy to care for, and can live a long life given the proper care. The most popular domesticated hamster breeds include a variety of Syrian and Dwarf hamsters.

In this post we will explain the life cycle of the animal that gives birth. The life process is different from the chicken, butterfly and frog.

Breeding

·         Both Syrian and dwarf hamsters reach sexual maturity and can breed before they are a month old. However, breeding at such a young age can result in complications for mother and litter.

Gestation

·         According to Hamster-Club.com, the gestation period is 16 days for Syrian hamsters; 18 to 21 days for Dwarf Russian, Campbell’s and Chinese hamsters; and 23 to 30 days for Roborovski hamsters.

Litters

·         Syrian hamsters can give birth to 20 babies in one litter, while dwarf hamsters typically birth no more than 10 pups at a time, according to Hamsterific.com

Adult

·         Both Syrian hamsters and dwarf hamsters live an average of two to three years. Signs of aging include sleeping more while eating less and some hair loss, according to Hammy's World.

Read more: Life Cycle of Hamsters | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/facts_5964740_life-cycle-hamsters.html#ixzz2CYoQ4RsY

We inserted a video which explain a mouse for more learning purposes. 

Summary: Hamster reproduction through giving birth. The baby hamster ( pup) is growing to adult hamster and the life cycle repeat again. 

Butterfly Life Cycle

Butterflies go through a life cycle. A butterfly has four stages in its life cycle. Each stage is different. Each stage also has a different goal. A butterfly becoming an adult is called metamorphosis. The life cycle process can take a month to year. It depends on the type of butterfly.

Stage 1. Eggs
In the first stage a girl butterfly lays eggs. A butterfly first starts out as an egg. A girl butterfly lays the eggs on a leaf. She lays the eggs really close together. The eggs are really small and round. About five days after the eggs are laid. A tiny worm-like creature will hatch from the egg.


Stage 2: Caterpillar (Larve)
The second stage is the caterpillar. A caterpillar is sometimes called larve. A caterpillar is a long creature. It looks like a worm. Most caterpillars have a cool pattern. This pattern has stripes or patches. The caterpillar is hungry once it has hatched. It starts to eat leaves and flowers. It eats these all the time. It first eats the leaf that it was born on. This is the eating and growing stage.

A caterpillar grows really fast. This is because they eat a lot. A caterpillar is really small when it is born. It starts to grow fast. This is because it eats all the time. It grows so fast that it becomes too big for its skin. So the caterpillar has to shed its old skin. It then gets new skin. Caterpillars shed their skin four or more times while they are growing. A caterpillar shedding its outgrown skin is called molting.

Caterpillars do not stay in this stage very long. While they are in this stage, all they do is eat.


Stage 3: Chrysalis (Pupa)
Stage three is the chrysalis. This is when the caterpillar is done growing. The caterpillar makes a chrysalis. Another name for a chrysalis is a pupa. It is mostly brown or green. It is the same color as the things around it. Things like the trees, leaves, or branches. This is so that other animals cannot see it. This protects them. This keeps them from getting hurt.

This is the resting stage. It also is the changing stage. The caterpillar starts to changes. It starts to turn into a butterfly. It starts to look different. Its shape starts to change. It changes quickly. It then turns into a butterfly. All this happens in the chrysalis. This does not take a long time.



Stage 4: Butterly (Adult) (Imago)
In stage four, the chrysalis opens. Soon a butterfly comes out. A butterfly is sometimes called an imago. It is also called an adult. Butterflies are very colorful. When the butterfly first comes out its wings are damp. The wings are also soft. The wings are folded against its body. The butterfly is also very tired. So the butterfly rests.
Once the butterfly has rested, it will be ready to start flying. It will start to pump blood into its wings. This is to get them working and flapping. After it does this, it can now learn to fly. Butterflies cannot fly good at first. They need a lot of practice. It does not take long for them to learn. They learn fast. When it can fly, it will go look for food. The butterfly will also go look for a mate. It will soon find a mate. It will then lay eggs. The lifecycle will start all over again.

Watch below email for more!

In summary: Butterfly goes thru life cycle of egg --> Larve --> Pupa --> Imago
Mosquito goes thru the same life cycle as butterfly. 

more info from: http://www3.canisius.edu/~grandem/butterflylifecycle/The_Lifecycle_of_a_Butterfly_print.html

Frog Life Cycle

A Frog life cycle is different from Chicken.

Frog Life cycle 

Eggs

·         The first stage of a frog's life is the egg. Frogs lay eggs in groups of hundreds or thousands in water. Show children the process of cell division, which takes place approximately two hours after the eggs are laid. Show the eggs at various stages of development and what it looks like when the tadpoles hatch.

Tadpoles

·         The second stage is the tadpole, which looks like a fish and initially has no legs. It swims in the water and consumes algae. Eventually, the tadpole begins to grow legs that will allow it to walk on land and develop lungs that will allow it to breathe on land. Explain to children that other creatures eat tadpoles and why a frog typically lays hundreds or thousands of eggs to ensure some survive.

Froglets

·         At around 12 weeks of age, a tadpole has grown both front and back legs and has only a short tail left. At this stage, it is called a young frog, or froglet. Allow children to observe the differences between tadpoles and young frogs. Explain that the tail gradually absorbs into the body and is almost gone by the time it reaches the froglet stage.

Adult Frogs and Reproduction

·         At around 16 weeks, most frogs become adults and leave the water. At this point, their growth is complete. They soon begin looking for a mate and laying their own eggs. Sperm from a male frog must fertilize eggs from a female frog in order for the additional DNA from the sperm to complete the genetic sequence found in the eggs. Teach children about egg fertilization and why eggs need to be fertilized. 

·         Read more: Children's Activities: Life of a Frog | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/info_7988326_childrens-activities-life-frog.html#ixzz2CWq5bLss

     Look at the Video below for more!

    Summary:

    Frog has life cycle from Egg --> Tadpoles --> Froglets --> Adult Frog.

    In the next post we will discuss on Butterfly's metamorphosis life cycle process! See you then! 

Chicken Life Cycle

Different animals have different life cycle. 

Ever wonder a chicken's life cycle is?

In this post we are going to talk about a chickens life cycle. 

Chicken Life Cycle Facts

Eggs

• When an egg is laid, a chick starts to grow inside. 
• The eggs need to be kept warm.  The hen will sit on top ofthe eggs to keep them warm. 
• The yolk inside the egg has food that helps the chick grow. 

Baby Chicks

• When a chick is strong enough, it hatches from its egg.
• A chick has a lump on its beak called an egg tooth.  It uses its egg tooth to make holes around the shell. 
• Baby chicks learn about what is good to eat by pecking. Sometimes they even peck at their own toes. 

Adult Chicken

• A female chicken is called a hen.  A male chicken is called a rooster.   
• Most hens will lay about two eggs a day.  In the winter hens stop laying eggs until spring. 
• Chickens can live as long as 10-12 years. 

Let's enjoy the video below for more details! 

Summary:

Chicken's life cycle is by laying Eggs --> Chick --> Adult Chicken.

In the next post we will continue to learn about other animals' and insects' life cycle. See you in the next post! 

Welcome on board! Exploring Science Wonderland!

Dear Students,
Welcome on board!
You are going to experience all the excitement about science!
See you in the next topic!