Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Today dad and I are taking a break from our animal shows and college entertainment tours. I am at home at Animal Rentals with my friend Tom T Turkey. We are sharing the things that we are grateful for – like I am grateful for the chance to meet so many wonderful new friends through my job as an Animal Ambassador, and Tom is grateful that he is not on someone’s Thanksgiving table as dinner! While we were laughing about that and talking, Tom told me some really interesting things about turkeys that I never knew before, so I thought I would share them with you.
Did you know that the turkey could have been our National Bird? Not just for Thanksgiving, but for every day. Benjamin Franklin felt that the turkey was a more noble and appropriate symbol for the United States than the bald eagle. Turkeys were also original natives of America, while eagles were found in many countries. Of course, we love the majestic bald eagle, but it is interesting to note that Benjamin Franklin, at least, was a big fan of the turkey.
Have you ever met a turkey that can fly? I haven’t, and I always thought that turkeys couldn’t fly. But while it’s true that domestic turkeys stay grounded, wild turkeys can fly fairly fast for short distances. And though they can fly high if they want to, they usually stay pretty low to the ground. Except at night, when they often sleep in the treetops to protect themselves from predators like coyotes and foxes.
And have you ever heard a turkey gobble? Did you know that only the males make that noise? They do it to attract the females – which are called hens (just like chickens!). That gobble can be heard up to a mile away! The hens make noises too, but more chirping and clucking sounds – not gobbles.
These are just a few of the tidbits of turkey trivia that Tom told me. I hope you enjoyed learning them as much as I did! And I’d love to hear what you are thankful for today!
