Hoarding facts for kids

A Thule culture food cache near Cambridge Bay, Nunavut Canada

Hoarding is a behavior where people or animals accumulate food or other items.

Animal behavior

Hoarding and caching are common in many bird species as well as in rodents. Most animal caches are of food. However, some birds will also stingily collect other items, especially if the birds are pets. Magpies are infamous for hoarding items such as money and jewelry. (Contrary to popular belief, research suggests magpies are no more attracted to shiny things than other kinds of items.) One theory suggests that human hoarding may be related to animal hoarding behavior, but substantial evidence is lacking.

Images for kids

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  An anti-hoarding, pro-rationing poster from the United States in World War II

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  Apartment of a person with compulsive hoarding

See also

In Spanish: Acaparamiento para niños