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7
BY ROSE DAVIDSON ART BY JOE ROCCO
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Showing rock star potential even as a toddler, child prodigy
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart jammed his way to megafame.
Find out about the life of this musical mastermind.
1756
Wolfgang Amadeus
Mozart (try saying
that ve times fast!)
is born in Salzburg,
Austria. His father teaches
him to play the harpsichord,
a piano-like instrument, at about
age 3. Within a few years, the genius can write
his own tunes and play the violin.
1768
Twelve-year-old Mozart composes symphonies and his
rst opera, La Finta Semplice. Loosely translated, the
title means The Pretend Simpleton in Italian.
1770s
After hearing a musical performance at a church in Rome,
Italy, Mozart jots down the entire 15-minute composition
from memory. Word of this achievement reaches Pope
Clement XIV, who awards Mozart a medal for his smarts.
1780s
Now living in Vienna,
Austria, Mozart
meets a composer
named Antonio Salieri.
Though the two artists get
along, rumors later swirl
that Salieri is a erce rival
who eventually poisoned
Mozart! (Freakyand
totally untrue.)
1781
The musician inks an opera called
The Abduction From the Seraglio. A
huge hit, the piece makes Mozart
ultrafamous throughout Europe.
1784
Mozart buys a pet starlinga type
of singing birdthat supposedly
learns to chirp his owners music.
1787-1791
Mozart ends his career writing music for Emperors Joseph
II and Leopold II. He also works on what would be one of
his most famous operas, The Magic Flute. By the end of his
life, Mozart could boast more than 600 musical pieces. Now
thats a long playlist.
1762
Oh my
word!
Here i come!
This thing is
almost as big
as me.
g
Wolfgang Ama
Find out ab
Wolfgang
Mozart (tr
that ve t
is born in Sa
Austria. His fa
him to play the h
a piano-like instrum
age 3. Within a few years, the geniu
his own tunes and play the violin.
write
in Rome,
position
Pope
marts.
y
Clement XIV, who awards Mozart a m
N
A
m
na
Though
along,
that Sa
who ev
Mozart
totally
17811111111111
i think
ive been
poisoned
NOT.
a type
dly
sic.
its mozart
madness!
CHECK
OUT THE
BOOK!
The 6-year-old sets off on a
music tour, performing with
his family for royalty and other
VIPs. He sometimes even plays
the harpsichord blindfolded.
After performing for the arch-
duchess of Austria, the boy leaps
into her lap and gives her a kiss!
START
8
M O N T H 2 0 0 9 PHOTO CREDIT GOES HERE
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BY KITSON JAZYNKA
R
E
X

U
S
A

/

B
A
R
R
Y

B
L
A
N
D

/

R
E
X

(
A
L
L
)
CHIMPANZEE
RANGE Western
and central Africa
PLAYTIME
Chimpanzees smile
with their top teeth
covered when theyre
having fun.
HA-HA! These apes
love being tickled by
other chimps.
DR. CHIMP Chimps
sometimes use plants
as medicine.
GRIZZLY BEAR
GRIZZLY BEAR
RANGE Western
North America
WHATS THAT SMELL?
Grizzly bears can fol-
low a scent for about
two miles.
HELLO, UP THERE
When standing on
their hind legs, these
bears can stretch up
to eight feet tall.
EAT UP Grizzlies can
gain up to three pounds
a day preparing for
hibernation.
BEFRIENDS CHIMP
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Bam Bam the grizzly bear cub playfully pokes Vali the chim-
panzee, then bolts across the yard. Vali charges. Like a big, fast
puppy, the ape catches his bear friend with a ying tackle. Then
they wrestle like kids. Sometimes Vali rides the bear like a
horse, hanging on as long as he can, says Bhagavan Antle, owner
of the Myrtle Beach safari park where the pals live.
The one-year-old chimp and ve-month-old bear became
friends when they rst met at the park, which cares for rescued
animals. Nearly the same sizeabout 20 pounds eachthey
make perfect playmates, throwing sticks and leaves at each
other for fun. The duo also loves to play tug-of-war.
Bam Bam, who could grow to weigh as much as 700 pounds,
will eventually become too big to play with his chimp friend. The
bear will spend more time with animals closer to his size. But
for now the pair is inseparable. Sometimes Bam Bam pretends
hes asleep and waits for the chimp to sneak up on him. Then the
bear pounces. They also nibble each others ears, Antle says.
But after a day of chasing and
chewing, the furry friends
favorite way to bond is
with a snooze for two.
BY
Somebodys
got banana
breath!
8
O C T O B E R 2 0 1 4
FRED BRUEMMER / PHOTOLIBRARY RM / GETTY IMAGES (BIG PICTURE); PHOTO BY JOANNA GYORY WOODS HOLE OCEANOGRAPHIC
INSTITUTION (SWARM, CRAB IN BURROW); KONRAD WOTHE / MINDEN PICTURES / NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CREATIVE (CRAB ON BEACH)
A CRAB PEEKS OUT
OF ITS BURROW.
Theyll be back Halloween
crabs stay near their burrows in the rain
forest until its time to make their way back
to the beach, beginning the terrifying cycle all over again. With
black and orange shells, orange legs, and purple claws, these crabs
are always dressed for Halloween. And like the rest of us under
our scary costumes, Halloween crabs are actually quite harm-
less. But if youre ever on a beach late at night and see swarms of
crabs coming out of the rain forest, dont say we didnt warn you!
Halloween
crabs generally
live near a source of
fresh water to keep
their lungs from
drying out.
Halloween
crabs, like all
crustaceans, are
arthropods.
Spiders are also
arthropods.
The
Halloween crab
is also called the
moon crab.

21
NOW
SHOWING!
kids.nationalgeographic
.com/videos/
kids d nationalgeographic
SPOOKY
HALLOWEEN
CRAB VIDEO!
N A T I O N A L G E O G R A P H I C K I D S
23
AFTERLIFE SENTENCE
The Tower of London was a fortress, a palace, and a jail all in one.
Built around 950 years ago for the ruler William the Conqueror as
a stronghold from enemies, the structure was later used as living
quarters for royals, as well as a prison. People locked in the Tower
were accused of everything from trying to overthrow a monarch
to counterfeiting money. While most jailbirds were treated well,
some lived in dark, cramped rooms. Several were even beheaded.
Now a tourist hot spot, its so creepy that it might give visitors the
chills. In one area, people have allegedly felt ice-cold ngers on their
necks. And the ghost of a murdered king is said to pace his room on
the anniversary of his death, then fade into the walls at midnight.
In 1666 a re swept through London,
destroying around 13,000 houses.
This country capital has hosted the Olympics
three timesin 1908, 1948, and 2012.
The citys huge London Eye, a ride similar to a Ferris
wheel, weighs nearly as much as 1,300 taxicabs.
N A T I O N A L G E O G R A P H I C K I D S
23
T
B
a
q
w
t
s
N
c
n
t
POSSESSED PALACE
TALES FROM THE CRYPT
Before the 11th century, England did not have an ofcial place
for the coronation, or crowning, of rulers. Starting in 1066,
royals began holding crowning ceremonies at a church in
central London. About 200 years later, King Henry III ordered
the construction of Westminster Abbey on the site. A building
with soaring spires and grotesque gargoyles, this church
has remained the place where soon-to-be kings and queens
come before taking the throne. The abbeys grounds are also
a burial spot for royals, knights, and other VIPs
such as scientist Isaac Newton. Some people
claim that the dead here arent exactly
resting in peace. Visitors to Westminster
Abbey have reported seeing a ghostly
soldier bowing his head in sorrow and the
oating spirit of a monk.
In 1176 King Henry II ordered a
stone bridge to be built across
Londons River Thames. Over time,
the structure known as the London
Bridge was replaced twiceonce in
1831 and again in 1968. Even though
London Bridge was modernized, the past
recently came back to haunt it. In 2007,
construction workers unearthed a heap of
skeletons buried underground near one end
of the crossing. The centuries-old remains
likely belonged to victims of a plague who
were laid to rest together. After nding
the grave, strange things began happening.
Lightbulbs on the construction site would
suddenly blow out, and tools would vanish,
giving even the toughest workers a fright.
In 1688 Dutch leader William III sailed to
England with a eet of more than 400 ships on
a mission to dethrone James II, the unpopular
reigning king. James II ed to France, and
William III and his wife, an English royal, took
the throne in 1689. They bought a massive
mansion that became known as Kensington
Palace, and the dwelling has been home to
royalty ever since. Todays inhabitants include
Prince William and Kate Middleton, plus their
baby, George. But the palatial pad might also
host unwelcome guests. The spirit of King
George II from the 18th century supposedly
hovers in one bedroom. And some visitors claim
to hear a phantom spinning cloth, her spinning
wheel creaking through the night.
Before
fo f r the
ro ro ro rro roya ya ya y ls
centra
the co
y II ordere r d aa
e built across s
ames. Over time,
th L d
BRIDGE OF BONES
HENRY TAUNT / ENGLISH HERITAGE / ARCAID / CORBIS (LONDON BRIDGE), IMAGE DIGITALLY ALTERED; SOFIA GOFF / ALAMY (WESTMINSTER GARGOYLE);
MARTIN JONES / ARCAID / CORBIS (TOWER OF LONDON); HOFRED / DREAMSTIME (VARIOUS GHOSTS)
1
13
9
12
15
BY TK
14
2 3
6
11111111111111111111111
4
5
5
7
A 2003 heat wave
turned grapes to raisins
before they were
picked from the vine.
You can tell the
TEMPERATURE by
COUNTING a
crickets CHIRPS.
A
HEAT
WAVE
CAN
MAKE
TRAIN
TRACKS
BEND.
The coldest
temperature ever
officially recorded
was -128.6 F.
A spiderweb
INSIDE your HOUSE may be a
SIGN that COLDER WEATHER
is coming.
Dirt mixed
with wind can
make dust storms
called black blizzards.
WILDFIRES SOMETIMES CREATE FLAME-THROWING
TORNADOES CALLED FIRE WHIRLS.
11
Lava from
volcanoes can
start wildres.
SANDSTORMS CAN
SWALLOW UP ENTIRE CITIES.
BLIZZARDS can
make SNOWFLAKES
FEEL LIKE PELLETS
hitting your face.
8
Strange
bulges in the
ground may
warn that
a mudslide is
about to
happen.
RAINDROPS can
be the SIZE OF
A HOUSEFLY and
fall at roughly
20 miles an hour.
A hurricane in Florida
caused 900 captive
pythons to escape.
Waterspouts,
or rotating columns
of air over water,
can make marine
animals rain down
from the sky.

In 2011 a massive
100-mile-wide
sandstorm
hit Arizona.
10
0
3
122
BY TK
In 2011 a massive
10
Freaky
FACTS
ABOUT
MELINDA FAWVER / SHUTTERSTOCK (1); DAVID R. FRAZIER PHOTOLIBRARY, INC. / ALAMY (3); SERGEY YAKOLEV / DREAMSTIME (4); BRAD CALKINS / DREAMSTIME (5);
ALEX FIELDHOUSE / ALAMY (6); CLEMMESEN / DREAMSTIME (7); ISSELEE / DREAMSTIME (9, 29); PAUL CHESLEY / NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CREATIVE (11); MIKE THEISS (12);
CHOLDER / DREAMSTIME (13); ALASKA STOCK / ALAMY (14); F1ONLINE DIGITALE BILDAGENTUR GMBH / ALAMY (15); STESHKIN YEVGENIY / SHUTTERSTOCK (16); DAVID LEINDECKER / DREAMSTIME (17);
DAISY GILARDINI / MASTERFILE (18); ANATOLY MALTSEV / EPA / CORBIS (20); ALI ENDER BIRER / DREAMSTIME (21); CULTURA SCIENCE / JASON PERSOFF STORMDOCTOR / GETTY IMAGES (23); EDWIN GIESBERS /
NATURE PICTURE LIBRARY / CORBIS (25); MAXIM PETRICHUK / DREAMSTIME (26); TEXT COPYRIGHT 2014 THOMAS M. KOSTIGEN. COMPILATION COPYRIGHT 2014 NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 24

BY THOMAS M. KOSTIGEN
19
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30
24
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29
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16
In 525 B.C. a SANDSTORM BURIED
hundreds of SOLDIERS in
an EGYPTIAN DESERT.
In ANTARCTICA,
SNOW can fall
so hard YOU
CANT SEE your
hand IN FRONT
OF YOUR FACE.
22
In Iran, a blizzards
snowfall measured
26 feet high
and covered
200 towns.
A
whiteout,
or heavy
snowfall that
makes it
difcult to
see, can
make you
feel sick.
Black ice,
a transparent
coating of ice
on a surface, can
make pavements
super-slippery.
17
A THUNDERSTORM
CAN PRODUCE
100-MILE-AN-HOUR WINDS.
About
2,000
thunder-
storms
rain down
on Earth
every minute.
A mudslide
can carry rocks,
trees, vehicles,
and entire buildings.
Worms CRAWL UP from
UNDERGROUND when a
FLOOD IS COMING.
Hurricanes can
push more than
20 feet of water
ashore.
CATS and DOGS have
been known to
SENSE when a
tornado is
approaching.
SOME TORNADOES
CAN BE FASTER THAN
FORMULA ONE RACE CARS.
27
FROM THE
PAGES OF
The most
damage ever
caused by a
thunderstorm
was in 1995, when
softball-size
hailstones fell
in Texas.
28
DANGEROUS
WINTER WEATHER
IN 1998 RESULTED
IN I SURVIVED
THE GREAT ICE
STORM T-SHIRTS.
Some frogs get noisier just before it rains.
WEATHER
20 feet of water f
ashore.
SENSE when a
tornado is
approaching.
FRONT
CE.
25
BY KITSON JAZYNKA
ART BY DEAN MACADAM
TERRIFYING
TALES
DEBUNKED
Are monsters more than just the
stuff of freaky films? Some peo-
ple think so. They believe that
big, bad beastshairy giants,
pterodactyl-like brutes, and
morelurk just out of sight
in areas around the world.
Luckily scientists have expla-
nations that bust these tales.
Check out five monster myths
that have been defanged.
THE LOVELAND FROG, A BIG AMPHIBIOUS
CREATURE, PROWLS AN OHIO TOWN.
This slimy, froglike beast is said to stand four
feet tall and walk on two legs. In 1972 a police
officer claimed he caught sight of it
on a roadside while driving through
Loveland, Ohio, at night. When
another officer also reported seeing
the freaky frog, the rumor took off.
An investigation by local police found no evidence
of the creature. Later, one of the police officers
stated that he didnt actually believe that he had seen
a monster, and that people had exaggerated his story. Its
probable that the Loveland Frog was actually an escaped pet monitor
lizardsome types can stretch ten feet.
SHAGGY-HAIRED BEASTS CALLED YETIS ROAM ASIAS PEAKS.
Yetis are allegedly hairy ogres that look like a human-bear hybrid with
jagged fangs. The legend of the yeti probably originated in Tibet, a
territory nestled near Asias Himalaya mountain range. Sherpas, a once-
nomadic people from the area, may have spread the myth to what is now
Nepal and elsewhere during their travels in the 16th century. Sightings of
yetis (which is Tibetan for little manlike animals) continue today.
In 2013 a scientist did DNA tests on strands of hair found where yetis were sup-
posedly spotted. Results showed that the hair came not from an unknown beast,
but from a descendant of an ancient polar bear species that may live in the area. Its
likely that those who claimed to have seen a yeti really just saw this bear.
T
TTT
5
f it
h
n
Its
Found in
Ohio and other
U.S. states, the
Blanchards cricket
frogs calls sound like
two marbles
clicking.
The Nepali
name for Mount
Everest in the
Himalaya means
Forehead of the
Sky.
28
O C T O B E R 2 0 1 4
B
U
S
T
E
D
!
M
T
S
Y
H

M
O
N
S
T
E
R
MYTH
1
HOW IT MAY HAVE STARTED
WHY ITS NOT TRUE
MYTH
2
HOW IT MAY HAVE STARTED
WHY ITS NOT TRUE
30
O C T O B E R 2 0 1 4
J
A
M
E
S

Y
A
M
A
S
A
K
I
Everyone is dressed up for Halloween.
But only one person is wearing a unique
outt. Can you gure out which costume
isnt a copy?
ANSWER ON PAGE 37
S
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32
O C T O B E R 2 0 1 4
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N A T I O N A L G E O G R A P H I C K I D S
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