A recent study published in Scientific Reports has shed light on the activities of Neanderthal children, revealing that they engaged in hunting small turtles at the Neumark-Nord archaeological site in Germany, dating back approximately 125,000 years. Researchers discovered numerous remains of European pond turtles, many showing signs of butchery. Interestingly, this site is located much further north than typical turtle hunting grounds, suggesting that the Neanderthals may have hunted these turtles for reasons beyond mere sustenance. The small size of the turtles, weighing about one kilogram, indicates that they were not a significant food source compared to larger game available in the area. This leads researchers to theorize that the hunting of turtles may have served as a cultural practice, possibly allowing children to develop their hunting skills or engage in low-stakes activities that mirrored adult behaviors. The findings highlight the social dynamics of Neanderthal life and suggest that these early humans had cultural reasons for their actions, even in childhood.