Discussion Questions: How the Woodpecker Avoids a Headache
What other animals can you think of that spend much of their time on the trunks of trees or on other vertical environments? What adaptations do they have that allow them to lead this sort of life? How do the feet, spines, and skulls of these animals compare to the woodpecker's? If the trees in a woodpecker's environment were cut down, do you think it would be successful eating insects that live in the soil or on small shrubs? Explain.
