Thanksgiving Science

Turkey Facts!!!

Turkey Numbers

• They can fly for short bursts up to 55 mph

• They run up to 25 mph

• They have a 270 degree field of vision

Odd Facts

• Turkeys can see in COLOR

• Sometimes Turkeys will sleep in trees

• They have really good hearing, yet have NO ears!

What about “Tom”

• The Male Turkey, known as “Tom,” was named by Benjamin Franklin after Thomas Jefferson

What’s in a Name?

• A Female Turkey is a Hen

• A Turkey under 16 weeks old is a “Fryer”

• A Turkey 6-7 months olds is called a “roaster”

• A Male Turkey is also called a Gobbler

Got Turkey?

• Based on the Department of Agriculture’s Report, over 45 million Turkeys are cooked and consumed at Thanksgiving!

What does a Turkey Do?

•Turkeys stay very busy all day by hunting for seeds, corn, berries, and insects.

Baby Turkeys

•A Baby Turkey is called a Poult

Unique Turkey Parts

• The turkey’s snood ( flap of skin that dangles over the beak) turns bright red when it is upset or also when it is courting a mate.

Unique Turkey Parts

• The Turkey has a Gizzard, which is part of its stomach. The Gizzard’s job is to help grind and break up food to help with digestion.

Turkey Quiz!

Question 1

• How fast can a Turkey run?

• A. 55 mph• B. 30 mph• C. 25 mph

Question 2

• True or False

• Turkeys have good hearing, yet have no ears.

Question 3

• Another name for a male Turkey is

• A. Fryer• B. Tom• C. Roaster

Question 4

• True or False

• Turkeys cannot fly.

Question 5

• How many Turkeys are cooked and eaten each year in the U.S.?

• A. Millions• B. Thousands• C. Hundreds

Question 6

• What is the name of the female Turkey?

• A. Gobbler• B. Chick• C. Hen

Question 7

• What body part of the Turkey helps it digest food?

• A. Gizzard• B. Beak• C. Snood

Question 8

• True or False

• Turkeys can see in color

Question 9

• Who is responsible for naming the male Turkey, “Tom”?

• A. George Washington• B Abe Lincoln• C. Benjamin Franklin

Question 10

• Name one new thing you learned about Turkeys: