The January 2003 questions at a glance:
• Will bald eagles find a new mate for life if theirs dies?
• How does a snake crawl?
• How long can dolphins hold their breath?
• What type of animal would you like to live with?
• Where can I go to see orca pictures?
• Are killer whales' dorsal fins and tail flukes made of bone?
• When in your adventures were you most scared?
• Do you like bears?
• What is your favorite animal?
• How fast can cheetahs run?

Miss Lucas's 3rd grade class asks:
Dear Jack,
We are currently studying the Bald Eagle in our 3rd grade classroom. We read that a Bald Eagle spends its entire lifetime with one partner. We would like to know if one of the eagles die, does the other eagle search for another mate, or does it live alone for the rest of its lifetime? Also, what is the size of the largest eagle and how long do they normally live?

Jack says:
Dear Miss Lucas’s 3rd grade class,
The Bald Eagle is one of my favorite birds and I often see them when I am hiking in Montana. I’ll never forget the first time I saw one when I was a little boy. Now 50 years on I still get the same excitement each time I spot one.
It is true that Bald Eagles mate for life, however, if one mate dies the remaining eagle will not hesitate to find a new partner. It takes a full three years for eagles to mature, but they only start to get the white head and tail feathers at about five years of age. The average size of a bald eagle is between 34-43 inches and they can weigh between 10-12 pounds. Believe it or not some can live as long as 50 years.
-- Jungle Jack

Roy asks:
Hello Jack,
I am 78 years old and no one seems to know the answer to my question. Maybe you can help. HOW DOES A SNAKE CRAWL, OR TRAVEL ON LAND?

Jack says:
Dear Roy,
I’m sure you will agree that it is truly amazing to watch snakes smoothly gliding across the ground. Although snake locomotion can vary in some species, most snakes use their various groups of scales to help them move. When a snake moves in a straight line it is using its ventral scales by moving them forward in a series of wave-like motions. The snake then grips the surface and pulls itself along using its muscles.
-- Jungle Jack

Meghan, under 10 years old, asks:
Jack,
Do you know how long dolphins hold their breath?

Jack says:
Dear Meghan,
It’s incredible to think that there are 26 species of dolphin. They vary in size from about 4 feet to almost 13 feet! Some species of dolphin can hold their breath for up to 30 minutes, but many others prefer to surface about every 30 seconds or so.
-- Jungle Jack

Dennis, age 10-15, asks:
Dear Jungle Jack,
What type of animal would you like to live with?

Jack says:
Dear Dennis,
I love cats and dogs and I think they make wonderful pets. Right now I live with a golden retriever puppy and a two year old Labrador retriever. They are great dogs and I couldn’t ask for anything better.
-- Jungle Jack

Hannah, age 10-15, asks:
Dear Jack,
Where can I go to see orca pictures?

Jack says:
Dear Hannah,
There are many things you can do to see orca pictures, but first I would try your local library. There are several books about animals living in the ocean and I am sure they will include some wonderful photographs. You could also search on the internet as I know there are several websites for orcas. Don’t forget to search under the name of killer whale as well. Good luck!
-- Jungle Jack

Heidi, age 21-30, asks:
Dear Jack,
I've been studying about killer whales and have ran into this. Some say their dorsal fin and tail flukes are made up of bone. Is this true???

Jack says:
Dear Heidi,
There is no bony support for the dorsal fin or the tail fluke, but there are finger like bones inside the flipper.
-- Jungle Jack

John, age 21-30, asks:
Hello Jack,
I would like to know the time you were most scared in your adventures. (How old you were, was it an animal and what kind?) Thank You for your show! It is a great thing you are doing for the world!

Jack says:
Dear John,
There have been many times when I have been scared on my adventures, but most of those times have been caused by people and not animals. One of the scariest moments with an animal was when I was filming in Africa about ten years ago. I was walking on foot looking for a lion who I thought was far off in the distance. As I was walking toward an old river bed the lion jumped out of a big bush and landed about 50 feet in front of me. Luckily the lion ran the other way, but my heart stopped and I was speechless for the first time in my life.
-- Jungle Jack

Jackson, age 10-15, asks:
Dear Jack,
Do you like bears?

Jack says:
Dear Jackson,
I love bears and feel very lucky that I get to film them at least once a year on my many adventures. I have filmed polar bears in Canada, grizzly bears in Alaska, black bears in Montana and even the very rare Kermode bear in British Columbia. Bears are fascinating creatures but can be extremely dangerous. I am always very careful to keep my distance when I see a bear of any kind.
-- Jungle Jack

Kassidi, under 10 years old, asks:
Dear Mr. Hanna
What is your favorite animal?

Jack says:
Dear Kassidi,
My favorite animal is a goat. It was the first animal I ever raised as a young boy and I still love seeing goats to this day. They are found throughout the world and I often see goats on my many adventures.
-- Jungle Jack

Chelsie, under 10 years old, asks:
Dear Mr. Hanna,
How fast can cheetahs actually run?

Jack says:
Dear Chelsie,
The cheetah is the fastest land animal and has been clocked at 60 mph. Cheetahs can only run this fast for short distances, but it is still amazing.
-- Jungle Jack