A Day with Nandu: CBSE Class 4 EVS Chapter 3

Following Nandu's Day

Our story begins with Nandu, a three-month-old baby elephant, waking up. He finds himself in a forest, surrounded by what looks like big, grey tree trunks. But these aren't trees! They are the legs and trunks of his family members. The first thing he sees is his mother. Like all elephant families, Nandu's family is a herd. The leader of this herd is his Nani, his mother's mother, who is the oldest and wisest elephant. Nandu follows his mother and cousins as they move deeper into the jungle. They spend the day eating leaves and twigs. Later, they go to a river to play. Nandu loves the water! He sees his cousins spraying water on each other, and he joins the fun. His mother gently pushes him into the water and uses her trunk to give him a nice shower. This day teaches Nandu all about being an elephant: the importance of family, how to find food, and the joy of playing!

Life in an Elephant Herd

Why Do Other Animals Live in Groups?

• Just like Nandu's elephant family, many other animals live together in groups. This is called 'group behaviour'.
• Safety in Numbers: Animals like deer and zebra live in large herds. If a predator like a lion attacks, there are many eyes and ears to spot the danger. It is harder for a predator to catch one animal from a big group.
• Helping Each Other: Monkeys live in groups called troops. They help each other find food and warn others about danger. They also groom each other to keep clean.
• Working Together: Look at ants or honeybees! They live in large colonies and work together as a team. Some find food, some build the nest, and others protect the queen. Every member has a job.
• Raising Young Ones: Birds like penguins huddle together in large groups to stay warm and protect their eggs and chicks from the cold and predators.

Remember These Important Points!

• An elephant herd is led by the oldest female elephant.
• Male elephants leave their family herd when they are 14-15 years old.
• Elephants use mud and water to keep their skin cool and protected.
• An adult elephant can eat more than 100 kg of food in a single day.
• Elephants' large ears act like fans to cool their bodies.
• Many animals live in groups for safety, to find food, and to care for their young.

Practice Questions with Solutions

• Q: Who is the leader of an elephant herd, and what is their role?
  A: Step 1: Recall the information about Nandu's family. Who was the most important member?
  Step 2: The leader of an elephant herd is the oldest female elephant. In Nandu's story, his Nani (grandmother) was the leader.
  Step 3: Her role is to guide the herd. She decides where they will go to find food and water and protects the herd from danger.
  Final answer: The oldest female elephant is the leader of an elephant herd. Her role is to guide the herd for food and water and keep them safe.

• Q: Why do elephants play with mud and water?
  A: Step 1: Think about how you feel on a hot day. You might want to go for a swim or stand under a fan.
  Step 2: Elephants have very thick skin and can feel very hot. Water helps them cool down.
  Step 3: The mud acts like a sunscreen. It protects their skin from the hot sun and also from insect bites.
  Final answer: Elephants play with mud and water to keep their bodies cool. The layer of mud also protects their skin from the sun and insect bites.

• Q: A full-grown elephant can eat more than 100 kg of leaves and twigs in one day. If your weight is 30 kg, how many children of your weight would be equal to the weight of food an elephant eats in a day?
  A: Step 1: We need to find how many times 30 kg fits into 100 kg. This is a tricky division problem, so let's think about it with addition.
  Step 2: One child = 30 kg. Two children = 30 + 30 = 60 kg. Three children = 30 + 30 + 30 = 90 kg. Four children = 30 + 30 + 30 + 30 = 120 kg.
  Step 3: 90 kg is a bit less than 100 kg, and 120 kg is a bit more. So, the food an elephant eats is more than the weight of 3 children but less than 4.
  Final answer: The weight of food an elephant eats in one day (100 kg) is equal to the weight of more than three children who weigh 30 kg each.

• Q: What happens to male elephants when they grow up?
  A: Step 1: Remember what the chapter says about the members of an elephant herd. It's mostly females and their babies.
  Step 2: The chapter mentions that male elephants don't stay with the family forever.
  Step 3: They leave the herd when they are about 14-15 years old. They then live either alone or with other male elephants.
  Final answer: When male elephants grow up to be 14-15 years old, they leave their family herd and start living on their own or with other male elephants.

Frequently Asked Questions