Normally
deer hang out in the woods. But the sika deer isn’t a normal deer, and Nara,
Japan, is no ordinary city. Unlike most deer, the sika keeps its spots all its
life. Unlike most cities, Nara lets the deer wander all over the streets,
sidewalks, and even into stores! Maybe that’s because the sika have such good
manners. The people in Nara call them “bowing deer” because they’ll bow their
heads to get treats called shika senbei, or “deer cookies.” The deer get to eat
cookies, humans get to enjoy their company, and we get these great pictures –
that’s a winning situation worth fawning over!
deer hang out in the woods. But the sika deer isn’t a normal deer, and Nara,
Japan, is no ordinary city. Unlike most deer, the sika keeps its spots all its
life. Unlike most cities, Nara lets the deer wander all over the streets,
sidewalks, and even into stores! Maybe that’s because the sika have such good
manners. The people in Nara call them “bowing deer” because they’ll bow their
heads to get treats called shika senbei, or “deer cookies.” The deer get to eat
cookies, humans get to enjoy their company, and we get these great pictures –
that’s a winning situation worth fawning over!
Lace up: How many deer can you count in the picture?
Jog: If you give a sika deer 1 cookie every morning and evening, how many cookies do you give it over 2 whole days?
Sprint: A sika deer can be as tall as 43 inches at the shoulder. If your total height is 41 inches, is your shoulder as tall as the sika deer’s?
Hurdle: There are 3 million sika deer in Japan, and 127 million
people. How many more people are there than sika deer? (Hint: What if
you were just comparing 127 people to 3 deer?)
people. How many more people are there than sika deer? (Hint: What if
you were just comparing 127 people to 3 deer?)
High Jump: The sika’s antlers
can range from 12 to 30 inches tall. What number is the exact middle, or
average, of those 2 heights?
can range from 12 to 30 inches tall. What number is the exact middle, or
average, of those 2 heights?
Answers:
Lace up: 2 deer.
Jog: 4 cookies: 2 per day.
Sprint: No, because 41 is less than 43, and also your shoulder is not as tall as your total height!
Hurdle: There are 124 million more people than deer, because 127 – 3
= 124.
= 124.
High Jump: 21 inches. You can solve this at least 2 ways. The first
way is to add 30 + 12, then divide that sum, 42, by 2. The second way is to
find the difference between the two numbers, then count halfway up. 30-12 = 18
as the space between them, so the halfway mark is 9 more than 12, and 9 less
than 30.
way is to add 30 + 12, then divide that sum, 42, by 2. The second way is to
find the difference between the two numbers, then count halfway up. 30-12 = 18
as the space between them, so the halfway mark is 9 more than 12, and 9 less
than 30.
