Muskrats are animals that live near streams, ponds, and rivers. They get their name from the musklike smell they give off during the mating season. Muskrats are found in many parts of North America and in some parts of Europe.
Muskrats are suited to life in the water. They use their flat tails to help them swim and steer. Their hind (back) feet are fringed with stiff, weblike hairs. Muskrats grow up to 26 inches (66 centimeters) long, including the tail.
Muskrats live in burrows that they dig in the banks of streams. They also make winter houses. They use mud to stick cattails, reeds, and other plants together. Muskrats eat mostly plants, but they eat clams, crayfish, and snails too. Minks, raccoons, coyotes, owls, hawks, and alligators hunt muskrats.
World Book Online Info Finder
The information found on this database was a little more in depth than on the World Book Online for Kids. There were a lot more search results. It told you how to cite the article. I can definitely tell this website is geared towards middle schoolers.
World Book Online Reference Center
I searched for Botswana. The left hand side of the page has links to encylopedia articles, maps, websites, research guides and more. The right hand column gives a list of primary sources-very nice to use in research papers. Once I clicked on an article for my country, Botswana, the page was divided into three columns. The left hand side gave links with facts about the country, its land and climate, economy, etc. The right hand column gave links with related information-web sites, magazine articles and so forth.
I actually had a patron come in the other day who was doing a college research paper. However, he couldn't use any online resources. I can see the professor's point....getting the students to dig further and get away from the questionable internet resources. But I also think they are missing out on a lot of good reference tools, like World Book Online. All of the resources World Book provides are handy to have. I can see middle schoolers, high schoolers, even college kids using this database in our library.
You are right, Kim! We think World Book has something for everyone at every age! World Book online is authoritative and more current than most print books. Too bad the professor doesn't know that! ;) I hope you'll take a minute to try some of the special features, especially in Kids--"World of Animals," "Maps," "Games," and Compare Places." Welcome aboard the Challenge and thanks for your comments!
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