A Saiga's Special Nose (for 6-year-olds)

A saiga is an animal that lives on wide, windy grasslands. It has a funny big nose that helps it breathe better. Here is how the nose works, step by step.

• 1. The nose is big and soft. The saiga's nose looks a little like a soft trunk. Inside it has lots of folds and tiny hairs.
• 2. It warms the air. When cold wind comes in, the nose warms the air before it goes into the saiga's lungs. This is like wearing a small scarf for the air so the body does not get too cold.
• 3. It traps dust. Dust and sand get stuck in the hairs and folds inside the nose, so the dust does not go into the lungs. The nose works like a little filter.
• 4. That helps the saiga. By warming the air and catching dust, the saiga can breathe safely even on cold, dusty days.

Try this little activity:

1. Breathe out through your nose and feel the air on your hand. It feels warm.
2. Now hold a soft scarf over your mouth and nose and breathe. The air gets warmer and less windy, like what the saiga's nose does.

Isn't that cool? The saiga's nose is like a built-in little heater and filter. Good job learning about it!