QUESTS ANIMAL ADAPTATIONS CREATURE UNCOVER SOME OF THE MOST AT THE HOUSTON ZOO AWE-INSPIRING ADAPTATIONS

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1 CREATURE QUESTS AT THE HOUSTON ZOO FEATU TOPIC: ANIMAL ADAPTATIONS UNCOVER SOME OF THE MOST AWE-INSPIRING ADAPTATIONS FROM ANIMALS THROUGHOUT THE ZOO! WHAT S A CREATURE QUEST? Creature Quests were created to lead you on a meaningful quest through the Houston Zoo. As you visit these exhibits, be sure to consider the questions listed. Get ready for a fun-filled, educational Houston Zoo experience. SURVIVAL GEAR Every animal has special characteristics (or adaptations) that enable them to thrive in a specific habitat. From horns and antlers to quills, spots and fins, animals are equipped for survival. PHYSICAL ADAPTATIONS Adaptations come in two forms. One form is physical adaptations. These are the characteristics with which animals are born. Some examples of physical adaptations include camouflage (the color of an animal s fur or skin), sharp teeth (for eating meat), excellent eyesight for seeing their prey, and many more! BEHAVIORAL ADAPTATIONS Behavioral adaptations is the second form. Behavioral adaptations are anything that an animal does to survive, like an otter using a rock to crack open a crab or a chimpanzee using a stick to fish termites out of a termite mound! These adaptations can be instinctive, learned throughout an animal s life, or taught to them by their parents or other individuals. PATOR VS. PREY Both predator and prey animals have unique characteristics to help them survive. Predators are animals that hunt other animals (like tigers). Prey animals are animals that are hunted by other animals (like rabbits). Whether it s an excellent sense of smell, speed, camouflage or large talons, all animals have the adaptations they need to make it in the wild! TEKS ALIGNMENT: nd, rd, th, th grade:10a

2 1 Cassowaries are found in the tropical forests of New Guinea and Australia. The cassowary is threatened due to habitat loss. They are flightless birds and can run up to 0 mph through the dense forest. Although they cannot fly, they still have feathers for a variety of reasons. Can you think of a reason why a bird that can t fly has feathers? How does their coloration help them survive? Cassowaries have very sharp claws on their feet. What would they use these for? Bald eagles live all over Canada and the United States near rivers, lakes and the seashore. These large birds love to eat fish and waterfowl. Bald eagles can fly 0 0 mph during normal flight and dive at speeds of over 100 mph. What two characteristics do you notice on the bald eagle that would help them catch and eat their prey? Bald eagles can hunt prey from very far away. This means they need to have an excellent sense of what? Giraffes are the tallest land animals on earth. They are very sociable animals, and do not protect their territory like other large African animals. Just like humans, giraffes have seven neck vertebrae; each is about one foot long. Their long legs and neck help them to do many things like finding food. Why do you think giraffes live in large groups (or herds)? Watch the giraffes as they eat; do you notice how long their tongue is? Why do you think this is? AFRICAN Lions live in the savannahs of Africa. They are large predators that hunt other animals like zebras, antelope and wildebeests. Unlike most animal species, the female lions are the ones who hunt the prey more often and bring it back to the pride. They catch more than ¾ of the pride s prey. WHERE TO GO: As you trek through the Zoo, visit these five animals to discover more about animal adaptations. Make sure to start with #1 and follow the map. If an animal is not on exhibit on the day you visit, search for a similar animal. MEDICAL CENTER CAMBRIDGE STREET WHITE RHINO & KUDU TWIGA TERRACE RESTAURANT TRADING POST REFRESHMENTS CHIMP EXIT -D EXPERIENCE FARM WILDLIFE CAROUSEL & OSTRICH PETTING ZOO BAT CAVE PRAIRIE DOG JOHN P. McGOVERN CHILDRENʼS ZOO BUTTERFLY THE AFRICAN MASIHARA COASTAL OTTER DEER BLUE NATURALLY WILD SWAP KARAMU OUTPOST AFRICAN AFRICAN WILD DOG SOUTH AMERICAN EXHIBIT ANTEATER & MANED GIANT ELAND, WARTHOG & ZEBRA SPECTACLED ANKOLE CATTLE MANED CYPRESS CIRCLE TIGER GRIZZLY TAPIR DUCK LAKE BONGO NYALA BACKED DUIKER & CROWNED CRANE SHOEBILL STORK MONKEYS HORNBILL FLAMINGO ORANGUTAN BABIRUSA S OF THE WORLD TROPICAL HOUSE WORTHAM WORLD OF PRIMATES CHEETAH SMALL JAGUAR CATS VULTURE & FOSSA THE AFRICAN FISCHER GARDEN MANDRILL 1 (LEMUR) WERLER REPTILES AND KOMODO DRAGON SEA REFLECTION McNAIR ASIAN ELEPHANT HABITAT CONSERVATION KIOSK PANDA CARRUTH NATURAL ENCOUNTERS MEERKAT KIPP AQUARIUM SAROFIM COURT GUEST RELATIONS BROWN EDUCATION CENTER MAIN 6 N PARKING Notice the color of the lion s fur. How would this help them to hunt their prey? Male lions have manes and stay with their pride (a group of lions) to protect them. How does the mane help a male lion protect the others? ORANGUTAN Orangutans have long arms for moving and spending time in the trees. Orangutans usually live by themselves, and the males have large cheekpads and throat sac that allows for long calls to be heard in the forest. They have a variety of teeth in their mouth, both flat and sharp. What food do you think orangutans search for in their habitat? What do you think male orangutans are trying to tell other orangutans with their loud calls? HERMANN PARK DRIVE BEYOND THE HOUSTON ZOO At home, or with your class, visit a park or preserve. Observe some of our native wildlife and see if you can note any special adaptations these animals might have for living in Texas.

3 CREATURE QUESTS AT THE HOUSTON ZOO FEATU TOPIC: FOOD WEBS COME UNRAVEL THE INTRICACIES OF THE FOOD WEB! WHAT S A CREATURE QUEST? Creature Quests were created to lead you on a meaningful quest through the Houston Zoo. As you visit these exhibits, be sure to consider the questions listed. Get ready for a fun-filled, educational Houston Zoo experience. ENERGY FLOW A food web describes how energy flows from one organism to another. In every ecosystem, organisms depend on each other for survival. FOOD CHAIN BASICS A food chain or web includes types of organisms: producers, consumers, and decomposers. Producers are organisms that make their own food, like a tree or a fern. A consumer is an organism who has to consume something to get their food, like a cow or a lion. A decomposer is an organism that breaks down organic matter to get nourishment, like a cockroach. CONSUMERS Within these groups of organisms we have specific consumers; these include herbivores, carnivores and omnivores. Herbivores eat strictly plants, like a giraffe. Carnivores eat strictly meat, like a tiger. Omnivores eat both plants and meat, like a bear. Some animals have extremely specific diets. For example, there are birds that only eat nectar and mammals that only eat ants. PATOR VS. PREY Consumers can be either predators or prey. A predatory animal is one that hunts and eats another animal. Predators usually have very sharp teeth for chewing and pulling meat off of the bone. Some predators have a mix of both flat and sharp teeth if they also eat plants. A prey animal is hunted by another animal. Prey animals tend to have flat teeth because they usually eat plants. Both predators and prey are important in food webs. If one organism is removed from the food web, every other organism in that ecosystem is affected. TEKS ALIGNMENT: 1st nd grade: 9C, rd grade: 9B, th grade: 9A & B, th grade: 9B, 1st th grade: 10A

4 1 ZEBRA Zebras are herbivores that inhabit savannahs and woodlands all over Africa. They spend the majority of their time grazing on grass in their habitat. They live in large groups (herds) which give them protection against predators like lions or hyenas. How do you think their coloration helps them to avoid their predators? Zebras are herbivores, which means they only eat plants. What shape teeth do you think they have for eating grass and plants? GRIZZLY Grizzly bears are large bears that live in dense forests and arctic tundras. Grizzly bears have large canines as well as flat molars for eating a variety of foods. They also have large claws (as long as your fingers!) for catching their prey. Based on what you know a grizzly bear eats, is it a carnivore, omnivore or herbivore? Do you think grizzly bears are predators or prey? Why? Cougars are large cats that live in rocky areas and hunt animals like rodents and deer. Cougars are skilled at hunting at night and use their long tails and strong back hind legs for balance and jumping. Cougars are known by many names including panther, catamount, puma and mountain lion! What senses do you think cougars use at night to hunt their prey? What would happen to the population of rodents or deer in the cougars habitat if the cougars were hunted to extinction? KOMODO DRAGON Komodo dragons are the heaviest lizards in the world! They are only found on a few islands in Indonesia in monsoon forests. Adults hunt and eat deer, hogs and even water buffalo! Juvenile Komodos live in trees and eat small lizards and work their way up to larger prey items. WHERE TO GO: As you trek through the Zoo, visit these five animals to discover more about food webs. Make sure to start with #1 and follow the map. If an animal is not on exhibit on the day you visit, search for a similar animal. MEDICAL CENTER CAMBRIDGE STREET WHITE RHINO & KUDU TWIGA TERRACE RESTAURANT TRADING POST REFRESHMENTS CHIMP EXIT -D EXPERIENCE FARM WILDLIFE CAROUSEL & OSTRICH PETTING ZOO BAT CAVE PRAIRIE DOG JOHN P. McGOVERN CHILDRENʼS ZOO BUTTERFLY THE AFRICAN MASIHARA COASTAL OTTER DEER BLUE NATURALLY WILD SWAP KARAMU OUTPOST AFRICAN WILD DOG SOUTH AMERICAN EXHIBIT ANTEATER & MANED GIANT ELAND, WARTHOG & SPECTACLED ANKOLE CATTLE ZEBRA MANED CYPRESS CIRCLE TIGER GRIZZLY TAPIR DUCK LAKE BONGO NYALA BACKED DUIKER & CROWNED CRANE SHOEBILL STORK MONKEYS & ORANGUTANS BABIRUSA HORNBILL FLAMINGO S OF THE WORLD TROPICAL HOUSE WORTHAM WORLD OF PRIMATES MANDRILL CHEETAH SMALL JAGUAR CATS VULTURE & FOSSA THE AFRICAN 1 (LEMUR) FISCHER GARDEN WERLER REPTILES AND KOMODO DRAGON SEA REFLECTION McNAIR ASIAN ELEPHANT HABITAT CONSERVATION KIOSK PANDA CARRUTH NATURAL ENCOUNTERS MEERKAT KIPP AQUARIUM GUEST RELATIONS SAROFIM COURT BROWN EDUCATION CENTER MAIN 6 N PARKING How does the color of the Komodo dragon help them hunt their prey? Komodo dragons are one of the top predators where they live. Based on your knowledge of their diet, does this make them a carnivore, omnivore or herbivore? PANDA Red pandas are small omnivores that live in the temperate forests at the base of the Himalayan mountains. They love eating bamboo leaves, but will also eat fruit, acorns, insects and eggs. Red pandas have a false thumb which is an extension of the wrist bone. How would this false thumb help them eat fruit and leaves? Can you think of a food chain (of - organisms) which involves the red panda? HERMANN PARK DRIVE BEYOND THE HOUSTON ZOO Choose a habitat of which you are particularly fond. Research the animals that live in that habitat. Try to create a food chain starting with the sun or a producer and make your chain at least links long. Cut long strips of paper to make chain links. Draw each organism (or write the name of the organism) on each strip of paper. Link them together and tape them to create a food chain!

5 CREATURE QUESTS AT THE HOUSTON ZOO FEATU TOPIC: SOCIAL STRUCTURES THE SOCIETY OF WILDLIFE WHAT S A CREATURE QUEST? Creature Quests were created to lead you on a meaningful quest through the Houston Zoo. As you visit these exhibits, be sure to consider the questions listed. Get ready for a fun-filled, educational Houston Zoo experience. HOW WE LIVE Social structure refers to the amount of time animals spend with other animals of the same species. Not all animals have the same social preferences; some prefer to live alone, while others tend to flock together. LEARNING TO ADAPT An animal s social structure is a behavioral adaptation to help them survive in the wild. The way animals choose to live helps them survive and fill important niches within their ecosystem. There is no right or wrong way to live, just whatever works best for each animal. A FAMILY AFFAIR Some animals live in family groups. Within family groups everyone pitches in and helps with the daily duties such as finding food, baby-sitting the young, and protecting against predators. There is usually one dominant breeding pair and the rest of the family members are subordinates who perform the daily duties. ALL BY MYSELF Other animals prefer to live alone and only look out for themselves. These animals are usually only found with other individuals during breeding seasons, or with their offspring. Once the offspring has reached maturity, the parent will separate from the baby, and they usually never see each other again. They spend the majority of their time alone and do not tolerate other individuals in their territory at all. TEKS ALIGNMENT: nd grade: C, 9C, 10A, th grade: 9A, 10A, 7th grade: 11B

6 1 HORNBILL Great hornbills prefer to live in monogamous pairs. The female lays her eggs in a tree cavity. When she s ready to sit on the eggs, both adults work together to enclose the cavity. Only a small slit is left for the male to pass food through to the female. Why do you think they do this? Why do you feel this is a good behavioral adaptation for the pair of great hornbills? BAT Bats are the most abundant of all mammals in the world! You can find hundreds of bats roosting together in cooperative colonies during the day. This means that they help take care of each other s young, bring food back to the sick and huddle close together to stay warm. Think about the bats you find here in Texas; can you list a few places that might make a good place for a bat colony to roost? Why would those places make a good roosting spot? Chimpanzees are very social animals and prefer living in what is called troops or family groups. The troops live in a larger group called the community. This type of structure is called fusion fission society. Within the community there is a dominant male that runs the community, protecting it from members of neighboring communities. Can you think of any other animals that may live in a fusion fission society? What do you think are the benefits of living in this type of society? Okapis are solitary, spending their time alone in the dense forest. They live together only if it is a female raising her young. Okapis are found in the palm forests of Africa and are equipped with great adaptations for hiding, which helps them live alone. This is one of the reasons we did not discover them until 1901! WHERE TO GO: As you trek through the Zoo, visit these five animals to discover more about social structures in the wild. Make sure to start with #1 and follow the map. If an animal is not on exhibit on the day you visit, search for a similar animal. MEDICAL CENTER CAMBRIDGE STREET WHITE RHINO & KUDU TWIGA TERRACE RESTAURANT TRADING POST REFRESHMENTS CHIMP EXIT -D EXPERIENCE FARM WILDLIFE CAROUSEL & OSTRICH PETTING ZOO BAT PRAIRIE DOG JOHN P. McGOVERN CHILDRENʼS ZOO BUTTERFLY THE AFRICAN MASIHARA COASTAL OTTER DEER BLUE NATURALLY WILD SWAP KARAMU OUTPOST AFRICAN WILD DOG SOUTH AMERICAN EXHIBIT ANTEATER & MANED GIANT ELAND, WARTHOG & ZEBRA SPECTACLED ANKOLE CATTLE MANED CYPRESS CIRCLE TIGER GRIZZLY TAPIR DUCK LAKE BONGO NYALA BACKED DUIKER & CROWNED CRANE SHOEBILL STORK MONKEYS & ORANGUTANS BABIRUSA HORNBILL FLAMINGO S OF THE WORLD TROPICAL HOUSE WORTHAM WORLD OF PRIMATES MANDRILL CHEETAH SMALL JAGUAR CATS VULTURE & FOSSA THE AFRICAN 1 (LEMUR) FISCHER GARDEN WERLER REPTILES AND KOMODO DRAGON SEA REFLECTION ASIAN ELEPHANT CONSERVATION KIOSK PANDA CARRUTH NATURAL ENCOUNTERS MEERKAT KIPP AQUARIUM SAROFIM COURT GUEST RELATIONS BROWN EDUCATION CENTER MAIN 6 N PARKING What do you think the okapi s adaptations are? What other reasons may have contributed to us discovering them so late? ASIAN ELEPHANT Elephants live in herds made up of mostly females and their young. All the herd members help to watch over the young and protect them. The males or bulls tend to travel alone or in groups of two. There is one head female called the ruler matriarch. What do you think her role is as the head of the group? Why do you think it s beneficial to have one leader? HERMANN PARK DRIVE BEYOND THE HOUSTON ZOO Here at the Zoo, we have a variety of different types of social structures, but you can see different social structures right in your own backyard! Take about 10-0 minutes to find different social structures around your home. Don t forget to look up in the trees and down below on the ground. Social structures are found in all types of animal groups including insects! How many different social structures do you see? Are the animals social structures at home similar to those found at the Zoo?

7 CREATURE QUESTS AT THE HOUSTON ZOO FEATU TOPIC: TRAVEL AROUND THE GLOBE LET THE WORLD COME TO LIFE! WHAT S A CREATURE QUEST? Creature Quests were created to lead you on a meaningful quest through the Houston Zoo. As you visit these exhibits, be sure to consider the questions listed. Get ready for a fun-filled, educational Houston Zoo experience. FINDING A HOME Animals are found on every continent in the world, living in extremely cold to extremely hot environments. They have amazing ways of adapting to the habitats in which they live! Whether by living in the trees or burrowing down underground, animals find a way to survive in all places! STAYING PUT Animals have specific areas of the world in which they live. An animal found in Africa could not survive in the Arctic and vice versa. Animals are adapted to their parts of the world, so it is important that the animals remain in their natural habitats so the ecosystems can remain strong and healthy. TAKING OVER Invasive species are animals that have moved into different habitats or parts of the world and cause havoc. Invasive species challenge native species for resources such as food, water, and shelter, sometimes pushing native species to the brink of extinction! FILLING A NICHE Diverse habitats found around the world lead to diverse animals. All animals fulfill different niches in their environments. Fulfilling these niches is very important to having a strong, healthy environment, keeping the world s habitats intact for years to come! TEKS ALIGNMENT: nd grade: 9B, rd grade: 9A, th grade: 10A, th grade: 9A & C, 7th grade: 10A

8 1 SEA California sea lions are the fastest of all sea lions and seals, reaching speeds up to mph. They live in colonies off the coast of California all the way up to Washington state. Onlookers not only see the sea lions swimming in the water, but also resting along the shore line. What adaptations do you think they have to survive both on land and in the sea? What challenges do you think sea lions face living on the coast (i.e. people encroachment, pollution)? KOMODO DRAGON Komodo dragons are the largest lizard in the world, reaching lengths up to 10 ft. long! They are found on the small islands of Lesser Sunda in Indonesia. These islands are made up of hot grasslands and tropical forests. The Komodo dragon plays a very important role on the islands by being a top predator and eating carrion (dead animals). Why do you think the Komodo dragon s role is so important in preserving its habitat? ANDEAN Andean bears (also known as spectacled bears) are the only bears found in South America; they live in the Andes Mountains. They are the most agile of all bear species when it comes to climbing. They make platforms high in the trees during the day. They ll use these platforms to rest on and spy on corn/livestock fields. Andean bears do not hibernate; why do you think this is? Does their lack of hibernation have to do with where they are found in the world? AFRICAN WILD DOG African wild dogs are the second most endangered animal in Africa. They inhabit savannahs and open woodlands. Fifty years ago they were found in 9 African countries and now are only found in 1 countries. African wild dogs need between square miles to hunt and roam. WHERE TO GO: As you trek through the Zoo, visit these five animals to discover more about animals found all around the world. Make sure to start with #1 and follow the map. If an animal is not on exhibit on the day you visit, search for a similar animal. MEDICAL CENTER CAMBRIDGE STREET WHITE RHINO & KUDU TWIGA TERRACE RESTAURANT TRADING POST REFRESHMENTS CHIMP EXIT -D EXPERIENCE FARM WILDLIFE CAROUSEL & OSTRICH PETTING ZOO BAT CAVE PRAIRIE DOG JOHN P. McGOVERN CHILDRENʼS ZOO BUTTERFLY THE AFRICAN MASIHARA COASTAL OTTER DEER BLUE NATURALLY WILD SWAP KARAMU OUTPOST AFRICAN WILD DOG SOUTH AMERICAN EXHIBIT ANTEATER & MANED GIANT ELAND, WARTHOG & ZEBRA ANKOLE CATTLE MANED CYPRESS CIRCLE TIGER ANDEAN GRIZZLY TAPIR DUCK LAKE BONGO NYALA BACKED DUIKER & CROWNED CRANE SHOEBILL STORK MONKEYS & ORANGUTANS BABIRUSA HORNBILL S OF THE WORLD WORTHAM WORLD OF PRIMATES CHEETAH SMALL JAGUAR CATS VULTURE & FOSSA THE AFRICAN FISCHER GARDEN KOOKABURRA SEA FLAMINGO TROPICAL HOUSE MANDRILL (LEMUR) REFLECTION WERLER REPTILES AND KOMODO DRAGON 1 McNAIR ASIAN ELEPHANT HABITAT CONSERVATION KIOSK PANDA CARRUTH NATURAL ENCOUNTERS MEERKAT KIPP AQUARIUM GUEST RELATIONS SAROFIM COURT BROWN EDUCATION CENTER MAIN 6 N PARKING What do you think are the major factors contributing to the dogs extinction? KOOKABURRA The laughing kookaburra is a native bird to the eucalyptus forest of the land down under, Australia! Laughing kookaburras are found in eastern Australia and have also been introduced into areas of the southwest, and off-shore islands such as Tasmania. These animals have also adapted very well to living in suburban habitats. In places where they have been introduced they are not causing any problems; would you consider them an invasive species? HERMANN PARK DRIVE BEYOND THE HOUSTON ZOO Animals live in all different habitats around the world, from the mountains of South America to the scrublands of Indonesia. We can find animals almost everywhere! Think about the state of Texas; is there more than one habitat found here? Can you look at a map and travel around the state and name all the different habitats found here? Can you name at least one animal found in Texas that may be considered invasive?

9 TAKE A TOUR OF TEXAS! WHAT S A CREATURE QUEST? Creature Quests were created to lead you on a meaningful quest through the Houston Zoo. As you visit these exhibits, be sure to consider the questions listed. Get ready for a fun-filled, educational Houston Zoo experience. BIG PLACE, BIG DIVERSITY Texas is the second largest state in the United States, after Alaska. It is home to many different habitats and a wide variety of animals. Like most states, the environments of Texas look a lot like those in neighboring states. But with diverse neighbors, it should be no surprise that Texas has so many different ecosystems! NEEDS AND WANTS Habitats provide food, water, shelter, and space for the animals that live there. Every habitat provides these things in different amounts. This means that every habitat presents different challenges to the animals who live within them, depending on which resources are readily available and which are scarce. CREATURE QUESTS AT THE HOUSTON ZOO FEATU TOPIC: TEXAS HABITATS CHANGE OF SCENERY With such a large area, Texas includes a huge variety of habitats. If you drove across the state from east to west, you d start in a swampy pine forest, drive through hills, see some prairie, cross several rivers and eventually end up in a desert with mountains looming above you. At every stop you d see different animals with different ways of surviving. TEXAS PRIDE With so many different habitats and animals, it s no wonder that Texas has chosen many animals as symbols to represent the state. We have a state reptile, state amphibian, state bird, state fish, and three different state mammals! Texas is also home to some endemic animals, which are species that can be found nowhere else but the Lone Star State. TEKS ALIGNMENT: 1st th grade: 10A, 7th grade: 10A

10 1 (HILL COUNTRY) The central part of Texas is often called the Hill Country. It is home to several species that are only found there and nowhere else in the world. Two of these are endangered amphibians, the Barton Springs Salamander and the Houston Toad. Why do you think amphibians require a moist habitat? Do you think an animal that is picky about its habitat is more or less at risk of becoming endangered? Why? OCELOT (SOUTH TEXAS) South Texas is a subtropical environment. It is home to many animals that are typically found in Mexico and Central America, including a small, spotted cat called the ocelot. The ocelot is endangered throughout its range, especially in Texas. Why do you think animals that are unusual elsewhere in the U.S. are found in South Texas? What do you think are the main reasons for this cat s endangered status? BROWN PELICAN (AQUATIC HABITATS) There are many aquatic habitats in Texas, including the Gulf of Mexico. The brown pelican is a common sight along the Texas coast, diving into the water to catch fish. While it is common now, the brown pelican was endangered for many years due to a pesticide called DDT. What characteristics of the brown pelican make it well-suited for a life on the water? Why do you think human activities inland can affect the pelican and its environment? HORNED OWL () The forests in Texas are made up primarily of pine trees. This is a crowded habitat which is home to many different animal species. The great horned owl lives and nests in the upper layers, but hunts animals that live on the ground. WHERE TO GO: As you trek through the Zoo, visit these five animals to discover more about Texas habitats. Make sure to start with #1 and follow the map. If an animal is not on exhibit on the day you visit, search for a similar animal. MEDICAL CENTER CAMBRIDGE STREET WHITE RHINO & KUDU TWIGA TERRACE RESTAURANT TRADING POST REFRESHMENTS CHIMP EXIT -D EXPERIENCE FARM WILDLIFE CAROUSEL & OSTRICH PETTING ZOO BAT CAVE PRAIRIE DOG JOHN P. McGOVERN CHILDRENʼS ZOO BUTTERFLY THE AFRICAN COASTAL OTTER HORNED OWL MASIHARA BLUE KARAMU OUTPOST TIGER WORTHAM WORLD OF PRIMATES CHEETAH VULTURE AFRICAN WILD DOG NATURALLY WILD SWAP THE AFRICAN SOUTH AMERICAN EXHIBIT ANTEATER & MANED GIANT ELAND, WARTHOG & ZEBRA SPECTACLED ANKOLE CATTLE MANED CYPRESS CIRCLE OCELOT JAGUAR GRIZZLY TAPIR BROWN PELICAN BONGO NYALA BACKED DUIKER & CROWNED CRANE SHOEBILL STORK MONKEYS & ORANGUTANS BABIRUSA HORNBILL FLAMINGO S OF THE WORLD TROPICAL HOUSE MANDRILL (LEMUR) FISCHER GARDEN 1 SEA REFLECTION WERLER McNAIR ASIAN ELEPHANT HABITAT CONSERVATION KIOSK PANDA CARRUTH NATURAL ENCOUNTERS MEERKAT KIPP AQUARIUM SAROFIM COURT GUEST RELATIONS BROWN EDUCATION CENTER MAIN 6 N PARKING What do you think are the benefits to being nocturnal in a forest habitat? What are the good and bad things about living in a place with many other species? PRAIRIE DOG (PRAIRIE) The prairie is a grassland habitat. With few trees, the biggest challenge here is a lack of shelter. The prairie dog is considered a keystone species in this habitat, which means that the habitat depends on the animal. Why do you think the prairie dog is so important to the prairie ecosystem? Can you think of other prairie animals that might need prairie dogs around in order to survive? HERMANN PARK DRIVE BEYOND THE HOUSTON ZOO In the classroom or at home, research animals that are unique to Texas. Describe their habitats and the special adaptations they have to live in those habitats. Research the animals that are state symbols of Texas, along with their habitats and adaptations. Compare and contrast the animals that are unique to the state and the animals that represent the state.

11 CLASSY CREATURES WHAT S A CREATURE QUEST? Creature Quests were created to lead you on a meaningful quest through the Houston Zoo. As you visit these exhibits, be sure to consider the questions listed. Get ready for a fun-filled, educational Houston Zoo experience. BACKBONES Vertebrates are animals that have a backbone. While they all have this in common, they can be sorted into six major groups called classes by looking for the characteristics that are different. These classes include mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and two classes of fish. WATER DWELLERS The biggest group of vertebrates are fish. These animals are cold-blooded, live in the water and usually get their oxygen through gills rather than lungs. They move by swimming, using their fins and tails, and they lay eggs to reproduce. This group is so large it is divided into two classes based on their skeletons, the bony fish and the cartilaginous fish. CREATURE QUESTS AT THE HOUSTON ZOO FEATU TOPIC: VERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY COLD-BLOODED Two classes of vertebrates that are usually grouped together are reptiles and amphibians. Both groups are cold-blooded, meaning their body temperature depends on the temperature of their environment, and both reproduce by laying eggs. The biggest difference between the two groups is their skin. Amphibians have moist, permeable skin, while reptiles are covered in dry scales. FEATHERS AND FUR There are only two classes of vertebrates that are warmblooded: birds and mammals. These animals produce their own heat, so their body temperature remains relatively constant no matter the weather. Birds are covered in feathers and lay hard-shelled eggs. Mammals have hair or fur, although not always all over their bodies. Mammals are unique among animals because they give birth to live young and produce milk for their offspring. TEKS ALIGNMENT: K th grade: 10A, 6th grade: 1C, Biology: 8A, 8B, 8C

12 1 FLOODED (KIPP AQUARIUM) This exhibit is home to several species of freshwater fish from South America. These fish are all adapted to using different parts of the water column. While most of them are bony fishes, the rays that are typically found near the bottom are cartilaginous and are related to sharks. What differences can you observe between the varied species in the exhibit? What traits of fish are helpful for life in the water? What traits keep them from living on land? (REPTILE HOUSE) There are many species of amphibians on exhibit in the Reptile House. Amphibians include frogs, toads, salamanders, newts, and caecilians. Amphibians spend at least part of their life cycle living in the water and breathing through gills. Their eggs must remain moist at all times and are usually laid in water. What characteristics of amphibians limit them to moist environments? This is the smallest group of vertebrates. Why do you think that is? SPUR-THIGHED These large tortoises are native to the arid regions of Africa. They are one of the largest species of tortoises on Earth. The shell of a tortoise is covered in large scales, and its ribs and spine make up the support for the shell. What are the benefits and challenges of having a shell? How many different shapes and sizes of scales can you observe on the tortoise? OSTRICH The ostrich is the largest bird species alive today. Like most ratites, including emus and cassowaries, ostriches have lost the ability to fly in exchange for large size. While they can t fly, they have strong legs for running and a powerful kick they use to protect themselves. WHERE TO GO: As you trek through the Zoo, visit these five animals to discover more about vertebrates. Make sure to start with #1 and follow the map. If an animal is not on exhibit on the day you visit, search for a similar animal. MEDICAL CENTER CAMBRIDGE STREET WHITE RHINO & KUDU TWIGA TERRACE RESTAURANT TRADING POST REFRESHMENTS CHIMP EXIT -D EXPERIENCE FARM WILDLIFE CAROUSEL & PETTING ZOO BAT CAVE PRAIRIE DOG JOHN P. McGOVERN CHILDRENʼS ZOO BUTTERFLY OSTRICH THE AFRICAN MASIHARA COASTAL OTTER DEER BLUE NATURALLY WILD SWAP KARAMU OUTPOST AFRICAN WILD DOG AFRICAN SOUTH AMERICAN EXHIBIT ANTEATER & MANED GIANT ELAND, WARTHOG & ZEBRA SPUR-THIGHED SPECTACLED ANKOLE CATTLE MANED CYPRESS CIRCLE TIGER GRIZZLY TAPIR DUCK LAKE BONGO NYALA BACKED DUIKER & CROWNED CRANE SHOEBILL STORK MONKEYS & ORANGUTANS BABIRUSA HORNBILL FLAMINGO S OF THE WORLD TROPICAL HOUSE WORTHAM WORLD OF PRIMATES MANDRILL CHEETAH SMALL JAGUAR CATS VULTURE & FOSSA THE AFRICAN (LEMUR) FISCHER GARDEN SEA REFLECTION WERLER McNAIR ASIAN ELEPHANT HABITAT CONSERVATION KIOSK PANDA CARRUTH NATURAL ENCOUNTERS MEERKAT 1 SAROFIM COURT GUEST RELATIONS FLOODED BROWN EDUCATION CENTER MAIN 6 N PARKING What purposes do you think the ostrich s feathers serve? What are some of the similarities and differences between an ostrich and birds that can fly? AFRICAN Lions are unique among the cats in their social structure. Unlike most cats, which are solitary and prefer to live alone, lions live in a group called a pride. A pride of lions is usually made up of several related females, a dominant male, and their cubs. A lion doesn t need fur to keep warm. In what ways does a lion s fur help it survive? What are the benefits and challenges of having live birth instead of laying eggs? HERMANN PARK DRIVE BEYOND THE HOUSTON ZOO In the classroom, research the number of species in each class of vertebrates, and list them by size. Make a list of everyone s favorite animal or group of animals. Classify each animal into the correct vertebrate class (for example, tigers belong with mammals ). Rank the classes by the number of people who chose a favorite animal from that class. Compare the size list and the popularity list. How are the rankings different? Are there any groups that aren t represented at all?

13 CREATURE QUESTS AT THE HOUSTON ZOO FEATU TOPIC: ENDANGE SPECIES WHAT ONCE WAS HERE MAY BE GONE TOMORROW WHAT S A CREATURE QUEST? Creature Quests were created to lead you on a meaningful quest through the Houston Zoo. As you visit these exhibits, be sure to consider the questions listed. Get ready for a fun-filled, educational Houston Zoo experience. STATUS UPDATE Animals are disappearing from our planet at an alarming rate. When the population size of an animal decreases, scientists work to study them in order to save them from going extinct. Animal researchers use a system to name species depending on how many of them are left in the wild. Animals that have a healthy population are titled stable or least concern. From there animals can become near threatened, vulnerable, and then endangered. If we lose an entire population, the animal then becomes extinct. H.I.P.P.O. Animals become endangered for many reasons. At the Houston Zoo we use an acronym called H.I.P.P.O. to describe some of the most common ways animals become endangered. H stands for habitat loss or destruction. I stands for invasive species (when a non-native animal affects the population of a native animal). The first P stands for pollution. Humans create a lot of pollution which can damage animals or the habitat in which they live. The second P stands for pet trade. Unfortunately, many people buy exotic pets (like parrots) which are sometimes taken from the wild. Finally, the O stands for over-harvesting. This is when people hunt an animal to use some of its parts (like a rhino and its horn). If we kill too many of one species, their population won t be able to replenish to a stable number. CONSERVATIONISTS Although there are many endangered species throughout the world, there is also a large group of people called conservationists. Conservationists work everyday to protect these animals from going extinct. Imagine if everyone in the world did something small to help an endangered species... we may be able to save them all! TEKS ALIGNMENT: K nd grade: A & C, th grade: 9C, Biology: 1B, Environmental Systems: 9E

14 1 AMERICAN ALLIGATOR American alligators are native to the southwestern United States. Unfortunately, these animals were once on the endangered species list because of over-hunting and invasive species. After intense conservation efforts, these giant reptiles have recovered and are now a protected species. Why do you think people over-hunted alligators? Alligator numbers decreased greatly in Florida when an invasive species (Burmese pythons) started eating young alligators. Why is it a bad idea to release an exotic pet outdoors? ASIAN ELEPHANT Asian elephants live in very dense forests in India and Southeast Asia. They use their long trunks similar to using another limb to help them eat grasses, bamboo, roots and fruit found in their habitat. Asian elephants are endangered because of habitat loss and over-harvesting. What happens to an elephant s food supply when the trees get cut down? Humans illegally hunt elephants for their tusks for ivory. Can you think of a way to stop people from doing this? RHINOCEROS White rhinos are listed as near threatened. They were nearly hunted to extinction for their large horns. After diligent conservation efforts to protect the species, white rhinos have come back from the brink of extinction. Unfortunately, the other four remaining species of rhino are all listed as endangered or critically endangered. Why is it so hard to protect an animal like a rhino from becoming extinct? Can you think of a law that could be passed to help us better protect rhinos around the world? Bald eagles were once hunted in the United States and were harmed by a pesticide used on crops called DDT. They were listed as an endangered species and have since recovered because of conservation efforts that helped to ban the pesticide in 197. If bald eagles eat mainly fish, how could a pesticide found on crops hurt their food supply? Bald eagles were once seen as nuisances. Now, how do we view bald eagles in the United States? CHEETAH Cheetahs are an endangered species. Their food supply has decreased greatly, causing them to eat farmers livestock (goats, cows, etc.). Farmers retaliated by hunting the cheetahs. In Africa, there is a large conservation project to help save cheetahs. A large breed of dog (Anatolian Shepherd) was brought into Africa to protect the livestock. Do you think the dogs keep the cheetahs from eating the livestock? If so, how does this project help protect the cheetahs? WHERE TO GO: As you trek through the Zoo, visit these five animals to discover more about endangered species. Make sure to start with #1 and follow the map. If an animal is not on exhibit on the day you visit, search for a similar animal. MEDICAL CENTER CAMBRIDGE STREET TWIGA TERRACE RESTAURANT RHINOCEROS & KUDU TRADING POST REFRESHMENTS CHIMP EXIT -D EXPERIENCE FARM WILDLIFE CAROUSEL & OSTRICH HERMANN PARK DRIVE PETTING ZOO BAT CAVE PRAIRIE DOG JOHN P. McGOVERN CHILDRENʼS ZOO BUTTERFLY THE AFRICAN MASIHARA COASTAL OTTER DEER BLUE NATURALLY WILD SWAP KARAMU OUTPOST AFRICAN WILD DOG CHEETAH THE AFRICAN SOUTH AMERICAN EXHIBIT ANTEATER & MANED GIANT ELAND, WARTHOG & ZEBRA SPECTACLED ANKOLE CATTLE MANED CYPRESS CIRCLE TIGER GRIZZLY TAPIR DUCK LAKE SMALL JAGUAR CATS & FOSSA BONGO NYALA BACKED DUIKER & CROWNED CRANE SHOEBILL STORK MONKEYS & ORANGUTANS BABIRUSA HORNBILL FLAMINGO S OF THE WORLD TROPICAL HOUSE WORTHAM WORLD OF PRIMATES MANDRILL VULTURE (LEMUR) FISCHER GARDEN 1 SEA REFLECTION WERLER AMERICAN ALLIGATOR BEYOND THE HOUSTON ZOO ASIAN ELEPHANT CONSERVATION KIOSK PANDA CARRUTH NATURAL ENCOUNTERS MEERKAT KIPP AQUARIUM SAROFIM COURT GUEST RELATIONS BROWN EDUCATION CENTER MAIN At home or with your class, research an endangered species of your choice. Find out the reasons why the animal is endangered. Then, research a conservation organization that is trying to help that species. Check their website or call them to see what you can do to help their efforts! 6 N PARKING

15 CREATURE QUESTS AT THE HOUSTON ZOO FEATU TOPIC: NIGHT, DAY AND IN BETWEEN DISCOVER THE WHEN FOR THESE AMAZING ANIMALS! WHAT S A CREATURE QUEST? Creature Quests were created to lead you on a meaningful quest through the Houston Zoo. As you visit these exhibits, be sure to consider the questions listed. Get ready for a fun-filled, educational Houston Zoo experience. TIMING IS EVERYTHING Animals have unique schedules to keep. Some are active during the day, while some are more successful in the middle of the night. Still others dabble between the two or may switch it up depending on the season. Why do they do this? This type of scheduling allows more animals to utilize the same habitat. By using the habitat at different times, there is less competition for food, water, shelter and space. SUNNY DAYS Diurnal animals are those that are most active during the day. Diurnal animals include squirrels, many types of hawks, zebras and chimpanzees. These animals have specialized adaptations, such as camouflage, that allow them to thrive in the daytime. STARRY NIGHTS Nocturnal animals are animals that come out at night. These include owls, many big cats like lions and tigers, as well as armadillos and skunks. These animals also have specialized adaptations, different than those of diurnal animals, that help them survive during the darkest hours of the night. Their adaptations include keen eyesight and hearing, among others. DREARY DUSKS AND DAWNS Crepuscular animals are the in-betweeners. These animals are most active at dawn and at dusk. By keeping this schedule these animals are able to successfully forage for food and protect themselves by spending the hottest and darkest parts of the day tucked away. This group of animals include cougars, deer, rabbits and foxes. TEKS ALIGNMENT: K nd grade: 9A, 1st th grade: 10A, nd & th grade: 9A, 7th grade: 10A & 1A, 8th grade: 11B, Biology: 1B

16 1 PANDA In 181, the red panda was the first panda to be discovered. This discovery came 8 years before the giant panda was found! Most active during the dawn and dusk hours, red pandas are considered crepuscular. Their red coloration helps these animals blend into the lichen-covered trees of China, Burma, Nepal and Tibet. How would blending in help these animals survive? Judging by their heavy coats, what is the climate like in their wild habitats? Why do you think their Zoo exhibit is completely indoors? Why is it beneficial for sifakas to be diurnal? They live in dense rainforests; if they lived in a more sparsely planted habitat, would that change their schedule? Why? Why is being quiet important to Malayan tigers? What do you think a tiger s stripes are used for? These leaping lemurs are found on the island of Madagascar off the eastern coast of Africa. These animals are diurnal, spending 0-0% of their daylight hours foraging for leaves, fruit buds and tree bark. Sifakas are quite the busy bodies, eating over 100 different types of plants. MALAYAN TIGER These animals mainly hunt under the cover of night. These nocturnal animals hunt boar, deer, fish and rabbits. They are mainly solitary animals, only joining another Malayan tiger during breeding season. Their large eyes and padded feet help them travel undetected through the night. MANED This type of wolf does not live in a pack like you may think. They also don t howl, but rather bark or yap like a fox. They are solitary individuals only seeking each other out during breeding season. These animals can be rather tricky as they are active in the late afternoon and night. WHERE TO GO: As you trek through the Zoo, visit these five animals to discover more about activity patterns. Make sure to start with #1 and follow the map. If an animal is not on exhibit on the day you visit, search for a similar animal. MEDICAL CENTER CAMBRIDGE STREET WHITE RHINO & KUDU TWIGA TERRACE RESTAURANT TRADING POST REFRESHMENTS CHIMP EXIT -D EXPERIENCE FARM WILDLIFE CAROUSEL & OSTRICH PETTING ZOO BAT CAVE PRAIRIE DOG JOHN P. McGOVERN CHILDRENʼS ZOO BUTTERFLY THE AFRICAN MASIHARA COASTAL OTTER DEER BLUE NATURALLY WILD SWAP KARAMU OUTPOST CHEETAH AFRICAN WILD DOG THE AFRICAN SOUTH AMERICAN EXHIBIT ANTEATER & MANED GIANT ELAND, WARTHOG & ZEBRA SPECTACLED ANKOLE CATTLE CYPRESS CIRCLE MANED MALAYAN TIGER GRIZZLY TAPIR DUCK LAKE SMALL JAGUAR CATS & FOSSA BONGO NYALA BACKED DUIKER & CROWNED CRANE SHOEBILL STORK MONKEYS & ORANGUTANS BABIRUSA HORNBILL FLAMINGO S OF THE WORLD TROPICAL HOUSE WORTHAM WORLD OF PRIMATES MANDRILL VULTURE FISCHER GARDEN (LEMUR) SEA REFLECTION REPTILES AND WERLER 1 McNAIR ASIAN ELEPHANT HABITAT CONSERVATION KIOSK PANDA CARRUTH NATURAL ENCOUNTERS MEERKAT KIPP AQUARIUM GUEST RELATIONS SAROFIM COURT BROWN EDUCATION CENTER MAIN 6 N PARKING See if you can spot them in their exhibit. Are they resting? Or fairly active? What type of animal would you classify them as: diurnal, nocturnal or crepuscular? The tallest animals in the world are also fairly sociable, often found in herds. They are equipped for stripping leaves off the tallest of trees. Their equipment includes an 18 inch tongue! And, similar to humans, giraffes have 7 neck vertebrae, each being about a foot tall! As you observe these gentle giants, note their activity level. Are they asleep? Are they roaming around their exhibit? Would you call them nocturnal, diurnal or crepuscular? HERMANN PARK DRIVE BEYOND THE HOUSTON ZOO Take 10 minutes in the morning and look out in your backyard or school yard. Notice the animals you see there and make a list. Do the same at dusk and in the evening. Compare your list with classmates and then determine which animals are nocturnal, diurnal and crepuscular. Try this activity again during another season and see if your list changes. Remember to include insects too.