On Mother’s Day, we celebrate everything our moms do for us. But why not celebrate all moms, not just humans? A giant Galapagos tortoise named Nigrita was 80 years old when she had babies for the first time! She hatched 9 mini tortoises, which hatched from eggs like any reptile. So you know Nigrita is a super-patient parent.
Wee ones: If you’ve counted 5 of the baby tortoises, what numbers do you say to count the next two babies?
Little kids: If you have 1 pet tortoise, 2 pet turtles and a pet snake, how many pet reptiles do you have? Bonus: How many legs do 3 tortoises, each with 4 legs, have all together? Count up to figure it out!
Big kids: If Nigrita hatches 9 babies this year, 6 babies next year, 10 the year after that, then 7 the year after that…what number would she hatch next to keep the pattern? Bonus: Who weighs more, 9 baby tortoises who’ve grown to 80 pounds each, or their 700-pound mom?
Answers:
Wee ones: 6 and 7.
Little kids: 4 pet reptiles. Bonus: 12 legs, since the snake doesn’t have any!
Big kids: 11 babies. You’re zigzagging between 9, 10, 11… and 6, 7, 8… Bonus: The 9 baby tortoises, since they weigh 720 pounds together.
