Zoo Adventures Grades 6-12

Transcription

1 To the Group Leader This activity is designed for you and your students to self-guide through the Zoo. You may distribute these exhibit-based activity worksheets to your students to complete during their visit to the Zoo. Please remember that we require a ratio of one (1) chaperone for every eight (8) children; chaperones must stay with the children throughout the Zoo. Zoo maps and daily presentation times are available at the front gate and at the Information Booth upon your arrival. Answers to the questions may be found on the signs accompanying the exhibit or by observing the animals. Refer to your Zoo map for exhibit locations. Answer Key 1. Answers will vary: habitat destruction, poaching, building encroachment 2. Brachiation; additional answers will vary 3. Answers will vary by observation and signage clues; Differences: tusks, size, color, ear shape, and geographic distribution, habitat: African- plains and Asian- forests. Similarities: tusk shape, herds are led by females, herbivores 4. Answers will vary; and may include fighting and protection 5. Both have lips that are pointed; both eat browse (leaves on shrubs or tree branches) 6. Komodo dragon 7. To use it as a sunscreen 8. Okapi 9. Rhino- perissodactyl; greater kudu- artiodactyl; giraffeartiodactyl; tapir- perissodactyl 10. Answers will vary 11. Answers will vary; antlers: bony, usually branched structures, present only in males (exception- caribou); horns: permanent, made up of a bony core and keratinized sheath, often present in both sexes and never branches 12. Hyoid 13. Hemotoxic-attacks blood cells & body tissues; neurotoxic- attacks nervous system

2 Asia & Entrance exhibits 1. Observe the tigers in their exhibit. Why are all tigers endangered? 2. How do the white-cheeked gibbons typically move in their habitat? Observe the animals. How would you describe this locomotion? 3. After observing both the Asian and African elephants, list two differences and two similarities between them. Similarities Differences 4. Why do you think they have adapted to having such large tusk-like incisors? (Hint: attend Asian elephant meet a keeper at 1:00 p.m.) 5. Visit both the Greater one-horned and black rhino exhibits, look at the rhinos mouths and describe their lips and what type of vegetation you think they might eat. Greater one-horned rhino: Black rhino:

3 6. This animal is the largest species of lizard in the world. It also has deadly bacteria in its mouth to help it kill its prey. What animal is this? Africa 7. Pygmy hippos have mucous glands on their skins, why do you think they have adapted to having it? 8. What is the only relative of the giraffe found exclusively in dense rainforests of Central Africa? 9. Hoofed animals are divided into two groups by the number of toes they have. Even-toed animals are called artiodactyls and odd-toed animals are called perissodactyls. Draw the toes of the following animals and indicate if they are artiodactyls with an A or perissodactyls with a P. Rhino Greater kudu Giraffe Tapir

4 10. Take about 10 minutes to observe the chimpanzees and another 10 minutes to observe the gorillas. Compare and contrast various behavioral adaptations that make each of these apes unique by filling in the diagrams. (Ex. nesting, walking, terrestrial, arboreal) Chimpanzee Gorilla Shared chimpanzee and gorilla

5 11. List a few differences between antlers and horns. Horns: Antlers: Amazon and Beyond 12. Howler monkeys vocalizations can travel more than a mile. Which bone in their bodies helps them to project such loud sounds? a. femur b. scapula c. hyoid d. mandible 13. What are two types of snake venom? Describe how they are different. a. b.