Table of contents for Issue 359 - July 2025 in MiniMag

This month we celebrate heroes of all shapes and sizes Ð from tiny blue Smurfs with big hearts to brave eco-warriors protecting our environment. Whether it’s saving a friend, planting trees, or standing up for nature, our favourite characters remind us that bravery and kindness can change the world. But superheroes aren't only found in comics or on screen. All around us, real-life heroes are hard at work Ð conserving nature, protecting endangered animals like tigers and turtles, and preparing for wild weather to keep communities safe. Even scientists, artists and museum curators are rescuing treasures like those in The Louvre, making sure beautiful artwork is preserved for future generations to enjoy. As we celebrate World Nature Conservation Day, MiniMag dives into the deep to discover Creeps from the Deep,…

With their fiery orange coats and black stripes, tigers are one of the most iconic animals on Earth. But did you know that tigers are the largest wild cats in the world? These mighty hunters are both beautiful and fierce, and they play an important role in keeping nature balanced. Tigers are strong, solitary animals that love their space. Unlike lions that live in groups, tigers prefer to roam alone, often patrolling vast forests or grasslands. Their stripes help them blend into the tall grasses and shadows, making them excellent hunters. Each tiger’s stripes are unique – just like a human fingerprint! Powerful predators! EASY SCIENCE Night-time hunter Tigers are mainly nocturnal, which means they hunt at night. They rely on their sharp eyesight and stealth to sneak up on…

Sea turtles are some of the oldest creatures on Earth, having lived in the oceans since the time of the dinosaurs! These gentle reptiles glide gracefully through tropical and subtropical waters, using their strong flippers to explore coral reefs, sea-grass beds and open seas. Sadly, all seven species of sea turtles are now endangered or threatened due to pollution, climate change and human activities. Let’s dive into the world of sea turtles and meet each unique member of this ancient ocean family! TURTLES spend most of their lives in water. They are adapted for aquatic life, with webbed feet or flippers and a streamlined body. Sea turtles rarely leave the ocean, except to lay eggs in the sand. Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) The leatherback is the largest of all sea turtles…

When we think of weird and wonderful creatures, we usually imagine the deep sea. But did you know that freshwater lakes, rivers, and swamps are home to some truly bizarre animals too? These amazing creatures have adapted to life in murky waters and muddy bottoms – and some look like they came from another planet! AXOLOTL – The smiling water lizard This happy-looking amphibian lives in the lakes of Mexico and never really grows up! Unlike other amphibians that grow legs and live on land, the axolotl stays underwater and keeps its gills. It has the amazing power to regenerate lost limbs, tails, and even parts of its heart or brain! Axolotls are super shy and mostly come out at night to nibble on insects and small fish. ELECTRIC EEL…

In the dark, cold world of the deep sea, things are very different from our world on land. In some places the ocean floor is flat and muddy, in others steep and rocky. And in some places, boiling water and minerals gush from cracks in the ocean floor. Sometimes there are strong currents, but in some deep places the ocean is still and barely moves. The deeper you go in the sea, the more pressure is on you from the tons of seawater pressing down. In these challenging conditions, we find oddly shaped and strangely adapted sea creatures, the “creeps from the deep”. Lighting up their lives Below the sunlit surface layer, the sea gets dimmer and deep down it is totally dark. Animals living in fairly deep water where…

Nestled in the heart of Paris, France, stands a building that holds more than just art – it holds stories, secrets and centuries of history. Welcome to The Louvre (pronounced loov), the most visited museum in the world! This massive museum is home to famous masterpieces, ancient artefacts, and even a mysterious glass pyramid. Let’s take a closer look at what makes THE LOUVRE so magical. The Louvre wasn't always a museum. It was originally built as a fortress in the late 12th century to protect Paris from enemies. Later, it became a royal palace where kings and queens lived! It wasn't until 1793, during the French Revolution, that The Louvre officially opened its doors as a museum for everyone. A Glass entrance In the courtyard of The Louvre stands a…

Did you know that digital innovation is helping us protect forests, tigers, birds, snakes and the rest of our amazing planet? From camera traps that track tigers to drones that monitor forests from the sky, technology is giving conservationists powerful new tools to save wildlife. Discover new ways we can care for nature. So sharpen your pencils, charge your curiosity, and dive into a puzzle where every word helps protect the wild! Nature Conservation Crossword Nature Conservation Can you spot all 12 differences? From digital bird apps that map migratory routes to robots that plant new trees, technology is becoming one of nature’s best friends. But the most important part? People like you, who care, learn and take action. CLUES ACROSS 1. Cutting down too many trees 3. Big cat…

Every year, billions of plastic bags are used for just a few minutes – but they can take hundreds of years to break down. These bags often end up polluting rivers, oceans and natural spaces, harming animals and the environment. International Plastic Bag Free Day reminds us how important it is to choose reusable bags and reduce our plastic waste. By saying no to single-use plastics like shopping bags, we can help protect wildlife, keep our communities clean, and make sure our Earth stays beautiful for everyone – now and in the future!…

Hold on to your hat! The weather isn’t always sunshine and light breezes. Sometimes, nature turns up the volume with powerful forces that twist, spin, pour, freeze and fry! These extreme weather events are wild, dramatic and sometimes dangerous – but behind the chaos is some amazing science. Extreme weather happens when the atmosphere does something unexpected, intense or unusual. It could mean too much rain, not enough rain, fierce winds or burning heat. Scientists who study weather (called meteorologists) use clues from the atmosphere to predict when these wild events might happen. Meteorology How do scientists predict extreme weather? Meteorologists use satellites, radar and weather balloons to collect data from the sky. They watch how winds, temperatures and clouds change. Computer models help them predict where wild weather might strike…

Food is scarce in the cold, dark depths and there might be a long wait between meals. No matter how a hunter finds its prey, the important thing is swallowing it – so deep sea fish make the most of little food by having huge mouths and stretchy stomachs, giving them a strange appearance! Although some of the hunters swim around actively seeking their next meal, others wait quietly and try to lure their living food to them. Anglerfish are famous for attracting their prey. Just as a fisherman uses a fishing rod with bait or a shiny lure to catch fish, the anglerfish uses its “fishing rod” with a glowing light at the tip. When a small shrimp or fish comes to investigate the small light, the anglerfish suddenly…