BSrpecaialiny Edition! DDAARREE TTOO EEXXPPLLOORREE nnaattggeeoo..ccoomm // kkiiddss FF oo SSmmxxaarrttee ss,, MM oo CCllnneevveekkrr eeyyss,, EE ll eeAAmmppaahhzziiaannggnn ttss,, AAnniimmaall GG aanneedd OOnntthheeiirr uusseess!! 333 000 BBBRRRAAAIIINNN BBBOOOOOOSSSTTTEEERRRSSS SEPTEMBER 2015 a y: ! d s h Birt e ECexlebtrarte Naat GGeo Kai d s’ m ADVERTISEMENT GET OUT AND EXPLORE ON A FAMILY TRIP WITH NAT GEO! Set out on a trip designed for travelers of all ages that combines learning, discovery, and fun. National Geographic family adventures inspire and enrich with hands-on experiences in captivating destinations around the world. Galápagos • Tanzania • America’s National Parks • New Zealand • France • Alaska • Peru • Japan • Costa Rica • and many more! INCREDIBLE PLACES. ENGAGING EXPERTS. UNFORGETTABLE TRIPS. Call 1-888-966-8687 or visit natgeoexpeditions.com/familytrips IIInnn TTThhhiiisss IIIssssssuuueee Editor in Chief and Vice President, Kids Magazines & Digital Rachel Buchholz Design Director, Magazines Eileen O’Tousa-Crowson Editorial Andrea Silen, Senior Editor / Digital Producer; Kay Boatner, Associate Editor / Digital Producer; Allyson Shaw, Assistant Editor / Digital Producer; Rose Davidson, Special Projects Assistant Photo Kelley Miller, Senior Editor; Lisa Jewell, Jeff Heimsath, Editors; Bri Bertoia, Assistant Editor; Clever Critters Erin Kephart, Special Projects Assistant Check out seven animals whose Art Kathryn Robbins, Designer; Stephanie Rudig, Associate Digital Designer; Meghan Irving, Assistant Designer amazing antics prove they’re way Production Sean Philpotts, Manager beyond brainy. Chief Education Officer Melina Gerosa Bellows 14 Senior Management Team, Kids Publishing and Media Nancy Laties Feresten, Senior Vice President; Julie Vosburgh Agnone, Vice President, Operations; Jennifer Emmett, Vice President, Content; Michelle Sullivan, Vice President, Video & Digital Initiatives; Eva Absher-Schantz, Vice President, Visual Identity; Jay Sumner, Photo Director; Hannah August, Marketing Director Digital Jeanethe Falvey, Senior Manager; Laura Goertzel, Manager; Caryl-Sue Micalizio, Senior Editor / Digital Producer; Sara Zeglin, Senior Producer; Andrew Rasner, Assistant Editor / Digital Producer; Hilary Andrews, Special Projects Assistant; Natalie Jones, Senior Product Manager; Tirzah Weiskotten, Video & Digital Media Manager International Magazine Publishing Yulia Petrossian Boyle, Senior Vice President; Jennifer Jones, Manager; Coral Keegan, Rights & Editorial Specialist Manufacturing Phillip L. Schlosser, Senior Vice President, Production Services; Gregory Storer, Director; Robert L. Barr, 30 Cool Things About Smart Stuff Manager; Neal Edwards, Imaging Finance Alison Benson, Finance Director; Andrea Stahlmann, Boost your brainpower with awesome facts on intelligence. Finance Manager; Cindy Ramroop, Contract Manager; Tammi Colleary, Rights Manager; Erin Knack, Financial Analyst 18 Consumer and Member Marketing Elizabeth Safford, Senior Vice President; John MacKethan, Vice President, Retail Sales and Special Editions; Mark Viola, Circulation Director; Richard J. Brown, New Business Director Market Services Tracy Hamilton Stone, Research Manager Advertising Production Manager Callie Norton Robots Publicity Anna Irwin, Communications Director; Caitlin Holbrook, Publicist (202) 862-8767 Discover cool droids that might change the way you live. PUBLISHED BY THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY 20 President and CEO Gary E. Knell Chairman of the Board John Fahey Chief Media Officer Declan Moore Executive Vice President, Global Partnerships Claudia Malley Advertising Offices Bob Amberg, National Brand Director World’s Smartest Animal? (212) 610-5511; New York Allison Davis (212) 610-5509; Southeast Ali Hartz (212) 610-5503; Detroit Karen Sarris These five stories may convince you that (248) 368-6304; West Coast Eric Josten (310) 734-2221 elephants are total geniuses. Parents, contact us online: [email protected] 23 NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC KIDS (ISSN 1542-3042) is published ten times a year by the National Geographic Society, Washington, DC 20036. Periodical postage paid at Washington, DC, and additional mailing offices. POSTMAS- TER: Send address changes to NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC KIDS, P.O. Box 62135, Tampa, FL 33662–2135. Subscriptions: United States, $25.00; Canada, $29.95; elsewhere, $34.95; all in U.S. funds. 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ISSUE 453 COVER: © CATHY & GORDON ILLG (RED FOX); © AIVOLIE / DREAMSTIME (CAT); © RUTHBLACK / DREAMSTIME.COM (CUPCAKE). PAGE 2: SIMON CZAPP / SOLENT NEWS AND PHOTO AGENCY (JESSIE THE RED FOX); JEONG SUH, BRYAN CHRISTIE DESIGN (BRAIN); © ECOVACS ROBOTICS, INC. (BENEBOT); MICHAEL NICHOLS / NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC PRINTED ON 100% PEFC-CERTIFIED PAPER—PEFC/29-31-58— CREATIVE (ELEPHANT); © AIVOLIE / DREAMSTIME (CAT) Please recycle. ALL CLOWNFISH ARE BORN MALE. BY JULIE BEER AND MICHELLE HARRIS CChheecckk oouutt tthheessee oouuttrraaggeeoouuss ffaaccttss.. The world’s ORANGUTANS largest SOMETIMES jet passenger MAKE weighs as much WHISTLES 100 hippos. as OUT OF LEAVES. A WHALE’S EARWAX CAN BE AS THICK AS A MATTRESS. SSoommee A SALAMANDER ssttoorrmm NICKNAMED ssyysstteemmss ccaann hhoolldd THE mmoorree “SNOT OTTER” wwaatteerr OOZES tthhaann tthhee MMiissssiissssiippppii SLIME WHEN RRiivveerr.. THREATENED. Amazon.com “CADABRA”. was originally called IT WOULD TAKE i p n w i S ziA ait n zhor genipanacsp iet boz asruzoaelra dka .ane td LM2TL(YITIOGGHINEIHE HLW T A2DTA TLYIAS-RETRIYLAAAO5VERKNE)SA.CN LAESR T 2 O 4 I OL G -ACT N EK S OO UC E NU A GINL EIHTNUDIMRDNYTTOESIA RE SIiRTDDNY PTT A E US -AOATT.LEFBRHD S AETAS,B H I E, OO WW OO OO FFCCEENNDDHH AA WWNNEEDDCCRREEIIKKWWEETTII NNOOIISSIIEEUUSSRRGGSSTTTT DDAA PP AAIINNNN IIBBBBDDGG TTSSOO UUAA HHNNOONNTTTTDDEEOO --TTOO WW BBTTRRHHEE!!EEUURRSSEE TT © TRATONG / DREAMSTIME (HIPPOPOTAMUS); © SUZI ESZTERHAS / 44 MINDEN PICTURES (ORANGUTAN); © ANTARES614 / SEPTEMBER 2015 DREAMSTIME (WATER); © ROSS PARRY AGENCY (PIG) CCCCHHHHEEEEWWWW BY KAY BOATNER OOOONNNN TTTTHHHHIIIISSSS MANGO LASSI India’s version of the smoothie can be mixed with fruit or spices, but it’s almost always blended with yogurt. It’s a favorite refreshment in the summertime when India’s temperatures can hit triple digits. Sip up these facts about the mango lassi. Some people chew CARDAMOM A MANGO pods to fight tree can grow bad breath. up to a hundred feet tall. In the 11th century, German peasants paid for goods with HONEY. LIME usjueidc eto h calse banee tnh e CHECK OUT walls of the Taj Mahal, THIS BOOK! India’s most famous landmark. YOGURT was once thought to bring a long life and good looks to those who ate it. EARN A FOODIE BADGE by tagging your food photos with #ChewOnThis. ngkidsmyshot.com COOL THINGS India has more post The country’s Cows—considered Many buildings in the The game of ABOUT INDIA offices than any national bird is sacred by many in village of Shani Shing- chess was likely other country. the peacock. India—are often seen napur have no doors. invented in India. roaming city streets. KRISHNASOMYA / SHUTTERSTOCK (BACKGROUND); © TIM HILL / ALAMY (MANGO LASSI); © MARGO555 / DREAMSTIME (CARDAMOM); © DANNY SMYTHE / DREAMSTIME (HONEY); 5 © NATIKA / DREAMSTIME (LIME); © ANGELO GILARDELLI / DREAMSTIME (YOGURT) NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC KIDS CCCCOOOOOOOOLLLL BY CRISPIN BOYER iiiinnnnvvvveeeennnnttttiiiioooonnnnssss THE CRAFT RISES TO THE SURFACE AS SOON AS IT’S TURNED OFF OR LOSES POWER. PILOT SITS HERE UNDERWATER PLANE PARKING The DeepFlight Super Falcon Mark II may look like an airplane. But it was DRIVING built to brave the oceans. The diving machine’s wings are similar to a jet’s, only turned upside down. As the two-person craft dives underwater, the inverted wings generate negative lift—a force that helps push the craft downward, creating an extra smooth and speedy ride. Dome-shaped windows over each seat give the pilot and passenger panoramic views of undersea scenery. And the craft’s superquiet motor won’t scare away marine animals. The sleek submersible, which can glide up to 400 feet below the water’s surface, can even do tricks such as barrel rolls. With this plane-like diver, fun under the sea will really take off. LAMP PUZZLE FLOATING SPEAKER Here’s a sound system that rises above the competition— What a bright idea! Inspired by the classic Tetris video game, literally. The OM/ONE spherical speaker floats nearly an the Tetris Stackable LED Desk Lamp is divided into seven dif- inch over its base, spinning slowly as it streams music ferently shaped pieces that can fit together in several ways. from smartphones, tablets, and other devices. How does Plug in the lamp’s base and flip on its switch. Then pile the this gravity-defying gadget work? One magnet is built other pieces on top of it. The base feeds electricity to an LED into the speaker and another three are built into the bulb in any block directly touching it, causing it to illuminate. base. These magnets are positioned When more blocks are added, pieces below pass up electricity, in such a way that when they’re and the new blocks light up too. You can create various forma- near each other, they create tions with the blocks, and each piece glows a different color. a repelling force. The force is It’s no puzzle why this light is so cool. so strong that it pushes the round speaker into the air. And because it doesn’t rest on a sound-absorbing surface such as a table, the speaker uses less power to reach the same volume as other speakers. This is one sound product. 6 BEFORE AFTER DEEPFLIGHT (UNDERWATER PLANE BIG IMAGE, PARKING); PHOTO COURTESY OF LAUCALA ISLAND RESORT (DRIVING); PALADONE PRODUCTS LTD. (LAMP PUZZLE, BOTH); © OMONE (FLOATING SPEAKER) eeee BBBBByyyyymmmm ttttthhhhheeeee bbbb rrrrssss NNNNuuuu Scientists can estimate an animal’s brainpower by calculating a number based on the size of its brain and the size of its body. The higher the number, the “brainier” the critter. See how the creatures below Size isn’t AANNIIMMAALL score on the smart scale. coemveersy ttoh iinngte wllhigeenn icte . Scientists are still IINNTTEELLLLIIGGEENNCCEE figutori mnge oausut trhee a bneimsta wl ay MOUSE smarts—so stay tuned! 0.5 BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN 5.3 DOG 2 HUMAN 7.4 RABBIT 0.4 CAT 1 SHEEP 0.8 ORCA 2.6 As much as two-thirds of Cockroaches have Your brain is only 2 percent of your An alligator’s Animals can lose the ability a shark’s brain is devoted a backup brain in total body weight, but it uses up to brain can fit into to sneeze if a certain part of to its sense of smell. their rear ends. 25 percent of your body’s energy. half a tablespoon. their brain is damaged. 7 JAMES WESTON / SHUTTERSTOCK (NUMBERED BACKGROUND) NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC KIDS AAAASSSSSSSSTTTTTTTTTTTTOOOOHHHHOOOORRRREEEENNNNIIII FFFFEEEEIIIIIIIISSSSSSSSLLLL HHHHFFFFEEEEIIIIRRRRSSSSNNNNWWWW OOOOWWOOOOGGGGMMMMFFFF GGGGGGoooooouuuuuurrrrrrlliilliilliinnnnddnnddddnnnn nn RRRRRReeeeeeeeeesseessssccssccssccssoooooorrrrrrddddddssssss MORE RECORDS! Go online for more information about Guinness World Records. natgeo.com/kids/worldrecords BIIIG BALLOON Manjit Singh is really pumped! He personally inflated a weather balloon eight feet in diameter in 42 minutes, the fastest ever. Weather balloons, which scientists use to measure cloud altitude and air currents, are usually filled by a machine with invisible gas so they float. But Singh used his lung power to breathe his own air into the balloon! He kept the air from rushing back into his lungs by breathing in through his nose and out his mouth. Wonder how he kept from getting dizzy. EARSHOT POTTY OF  i’m all GOLD No one can say this talent is a dime a dozen. ears. Monte Pierce can fling a dime nearly 12 feet with his earlobe, the farthest ever. His lobes are so stretchy You can look, but you can’t flush. that he can The world’s most expensive touch them bathroom was available only for under his chin. public viewing, not for using. Pierce says that Costing about four million dollars years of tugging to make, the bathroom—located his earlobes in a Hong Kong jewelry store— caused the had gold toilet bowls, sinks, unusual length. toilet paper holders, and doors. So don’t try this Thousands of diamonds, rubies, at home! and pearls studded the ceiling. This is one bathroom that spar- kled even before it was cleaned! 8 DREW GARDNER / GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS 2003 (WEATHER BALLOON); GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS 2003 SEPTEMBER 2015 (EARLOBES); AP PHOTO / VINCENT YU (TOILET). INFORMATION PROVIDED BY © GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS 2015. HHHHiiiissssttttoooorrrryyyy’’’’ssss HHHHiiiittttssss GGGGrrrreeeeaaaatttteeeesssstttt BY ANDREA SILEN ART BY JOE ROCCO CHECK Albert Einstein OUT THE A brilliant physicist, Albert Einstein worked to crack BOOK! open the mysteries of the universe. Find out START more about the life of this legend. i’m an ace at card construction. 1879 Albert Einstein is born in Ulm, Germany. As a child, the prodigy enjoys solving math riddles and building skyscrapers out of playing cards. Some of his card creations are 14 mini-stories tall! 1905 Living in Switzerland, the physicist figures out that matter—the tiny particles that form objects—can be 1895 turned into energy, and vice versa. He also comes up with the famous formula E=mc³, which calculates the energy produced by Sixteen-year-old Einstein writes his first converting a given amount of matter. He’s now a star! scholarly paper on the force of magnetism. Bet that pulled in a lot of readers. Ha-ha. Get it? 1922 Einstein for the 1915 win! Einstein receives This theory Einstein wows the world by publishing his theory the Nobel Prize in is going to of relativity. The theory explains gravity. Basically physics—an award be as big ginormous objects for major scientific as my hair. such as planets accomplishments. bend the space around them as they travel or pulsate. These curves 1933 in space then The science genius continues his produce a research at Princeton University gravitational in New Jersey, and his life’s work pull toward helps completely change people’s the planet. understanding of the universe. The contributions of this brainy guy are mind-blowing. 9 BY ERIN WHITMER 7 7 wwaacckkyy ffaaccttss sscciieennccee aabboouutt 1 2 SSoommee HHuummaannss cclloouuddss sslluuggss aarree mmoorree tthhaann aanndd 1100 mmiilleess sshhaarree mmoorree tthhaann ttaallll.. hhaallff ooff tthheeiirr ggeenneess.. 3 AAssttrroonnoommeerrss hhaavvee ddiissccoovveerreedd aa ssttaarr 4 tthhaatt iiss mmaaddee ooff AA ssttoorrmm aa 1100--bbiilllliioonn--ttrriilllliioonn--ttrriilllliioonn-- ccaarraatt ddiiaammoonndd.. oonn NNeeppttuunnee wwaass aass wwiiddee aass tthhee eennttiirree EEaarrtthh.. 5 TThheerree aarree 6 7 vvoollccaannooeess AA CChheewwiinngg RARY B g g ii nn ll iIiIaannccssiieeccddeellii aaeennrrddss.. cp c p b b aa oonnooffaa bbaaee tttt mmttaaeeaaddttrreeoo ooyyuu..tt g h g h ee ff uauaccaarraattmnmn ssbb mmeettaaaaeettkkeerr yy..oouurr HAEL HUTCHINSON / NATURE PICTURE LIREDIT GOES RIGHT HERE IN THIS SPOT CC MI © 1100 FSEEBPTREUMABRYE R2 0200715 CREDIT GOES RIGHT HERE IN THIS SPOT