Ultraviolet Light Helps Kestrels Survive

      Sunlight is composed of different kinds of rays. Among these are ultraviolet rays. Known as UV rays, for short, these rays can be harmful to humans. Exposure to them for a long time can cause skin cancer.

      UV rays, however, have been found to be helpful to birds called kestrels. The UV rays help the birds find food. Kestrels eat small mice called voles. The birds have been obsreved exactly places where there are plenty of voles. How are they able to do this?

      Scientists have discovered that the voles mark their trail with urine and feces. Now, these waste materials absorb ultraviolet rays from the sun. They actually appear as dark spots to the eyes of the birds which can see ultraviolet light. By simply looking for these trails, the birds easily find the voles.

Biodegradable Plastics are Also Harmful

      Although some plastics are now biodegradable, they can still harm the environment because the inks used for printing on them may be poisonous. So are the chemicals used in drying the inks. Although plastic can be recycled and made into a few items, like paint brushes and benches, it can not be reused to make the same product.

      So, cut down on your use of plastics by reusing them until they are worn out. Better yet, use cloth bags, baskets or carboard boxes, everytime you buy or carry something.

Buy Less Battery-Operated Toys

      When you buy toys, look for durable and long-lasting ones. As much as possible, choose toys that do not need batteries. Toys that run on batteries do not last very long. Aside from that, batteries add up to the world's growing garbage problem.

      Toys that you can wind, build, push or pull, will give you more enjoyment. When you use your body and brain in playing, you grow smarter and more creative.