A baby donkey was rescued this winter in Minnesota. The people who rescued her named her Bella.
Bella suffered from severe frostbite and hypothermia during nights when the temperature dropped to -15 º F in Minnesota. How cold is that? Let’s take a look.
1. What is the freezing point of water in degrees Fahrenheit?
2. What is the freezing point of water in degrees Celsius?
3. Bella was found after the temperature had dropped to -15 º F. How many degrees Fahrenheit below freezing is that?
4. How many degrees Celsius below freezing is that?
Do you know the temperature a refrigerator is kept at? Between 32-40° F (0-4 degrees Celsius), or slightly above freezing. That gives you an idea of how cold it was for Bella! It was colder than your refrigerator.
After she was found, Bella spent the first several days at the University of Minnesota Equine Hospital getting her condition stabilized.
Bella fought hard to regain her strength, but sadly her rear leg suffered severe frost bite damage and needed to be amputated to save her life.
Not too many veterinarians have performed this type of surgery, so Bella was driven 1,000 miles to Dr Vlahos at The Rocky Mountain Equine Center in Sheridan, Wyoming, a vet who is experienced with these types of operations.
5. The drive took 15 hours. What was the average speed at which they travelled? Round your answer to the nearest ones.
Bella needed to get there fast so her rescuers stopped only for fuel and to administer her IV medications on the drive to Wyoming.
Bella was 2 months old when she was rescued. She weighed 40lbs and was 28″ tall. Now, three months later, she weighs 70lbs, and stands 30″ tall!
6. How much weight has Bella put on since she was found?
7. How much has she grown since she was found?
8. How old is Bella now?
Bella’s artificial leg will be 12″ long and her rescuers hope to have it fitted this week or next. It took 2-3 weeks to make and there is a 4″ foam insert to allow growth.
Bella also has her own Facebook page. Click here if you would like to see more pictures of Bella!
Once Bella is all better she will continue her journey helping others in need with disabilities by visiting Children’s Hospitals, Nursing Homes & other functions.
Here is a brief video showing Bella walking on her temporary artificial leg after her surgery in Wyoming.
1. What is the freezing point of water in degrees Fahrenheit?
Answer: 32ºF
2. What is the freezing point of water in degrees Celsius?
Answer: 0ºC
3. Bella was found after the temperature had dropped to -15 º F. How many degrees Fahrenheit below freezing is that?
Answer: 32 + 15 = 47. This is 47º below freezing.
4. How many degrees Celsius below freezing is that?
Answer: This is 15º below freezing in Celsius.
5. The drive took 15 hours. What was the average speed at which they travelled? Round your answer to the nearest ones.
Answer: 1000 ÷ 15 = 66.66. Their average speed was 67 miles per hour.
6. How much weight has Bella put on since she was found?
Answer: 70 – 40 = 30. She has put on 30 pounds!
7. How much has she grown since she was found?
Answer: 30 – 28 = 2. She has grown 2 inches.
8. How old is Bella now?
Answer: 2 + 3 = 5. She is 5 months old now.
Common Core: 6.NS.C.5
Photos:
All photos of Bella courtesy of the Baby Bella Donkey Facebook page
Celsius Fahrenheit convert scale by ManZet; public domain
This is wonderfully written and well worded. Thank you for sharing the story and we hope this helps in all your studies and education!! Hugs from Bella Burro the Baby Donkey.