Feet. What is the weight/surface-area-of-foot ratio of different
land animals? Is there a relationship between predators and prey?
Powerlines. Why do birds like to sit on powerlines? Warmth?
Vibrations? See predators? Are you sure? How could you test this or conclude
thru observation.
Fur. Collect some caribou and moose hair. What is the difference
between these hairs and beaver or otter hair? People say that caribou hair
is hollow. Is it? What is the difference between caribou hairs in different
seasons? What is the difference between the guard hairs and the under hairs
on a beaver? Which part of a moose or caribou have the toughest fur? The
thickest fur? Why?
Birdseed. What kind of birdseed do the birds in your area prefer?
What is the best location, height and situation for a birdfeeder? Experiment
with ways to keep the squirrels out.
Cranes & little birds. Old timers say that the little birds
fly up to the cranes and hide in a hollow place under the cranes' wings
as the cranes circle the tundra in the fall. The cranes carry the little
birds to the lower 48 and back again in the spring. To my knowledge, this
has never been researched. It would be fascinating to see to what extent
this is true.
Bedding for dogs.What is the effect of (straw) bedding on sled
dogs. Estimate how much dogfeed is saved by using grass or straw bedding
for dogs.
Moose/caribou joints. Collect some of the liquid that is present
in the knee and ankle joints of a caribou or moose. What is the freezing
point of that fluid? Test the friction of the joint with and without this
fluid. Is the fluid soluble in water or oil? Why doesn't it freeze in severe
cold temperatures?
Parasites. What parasites afflict caribou and moose? Is there
any danger for people who eat these animals? Which body parts are more
apt to have those parasites? How are the parasites destroyed to make the
body parts edible? Can you find parasites under a microscope?
Beaver fever. What is "beaver fever"? Where did it come from?
When? Is it impacting our animals? If so, is there a natural cure? What
will the long term effects be on the animal population? What effect does
beaver fever have on humans? What is the human antidote?
Wolves. Old timers used to make a "roarer" to drive off wolves.
What was the traditional implement in your area? How did it make
sound?
Tracks. How can you tell which way an animal is going from old
tracks in the snow?
I have an idea now.
How do I present my experiment? Go.