Zoo Scavenger Hunt

Jennifer Salemo

High School of Hospitality Management, Manhattan

Summer Research Program for Science Teachers

 

Attn: All Teachers

In all student packets there should be:

5 pages of science (14 science questions and 1 page science vocabulary)

Students are to remain in their assigned group the entire duration of the trip and to complete the entire packet before leaving the zoo.  When your students have completed their packets please sign on the front of the packet labeled teacher sign off to indicate that your students have completed the packet.  At this point you may dismiss your students, hang on to their packets and bring them to school on Wednesday.

For the science component student must visit the animals, as well as read the information plaques in order to write them down for their scavenger hunt. Students may work as a team, however please discourage having students just copy from their group members.

Places to visit:  Pick up a map on your way into the zoo.

 

Science Vocabulary

Habitat –a particular environment where an organism lives

Adaptation- any kind inherited trait that improves the chances of survival and reproduction for an organism.  A characteristic

Predator-a type of carnivore that attack and kill their prey and feed on their bodies

Prey- Animals that are hunted by predators

Nocturnal- an animal that is awake primarily at night

Herd- a group of animals that travel and live together

Camouflage- a protective adaptation that enables an organism to visually blend into the environment.

Herbivore – animals that feed on only plants

Omnivore- animals that feed on both plants and other animals

Carnivore- animals that feed on other animals

Endangered Species – a population of organisms which is either (a) few in number (b) threatened by a changing environment or predation parameters and is at risk for becoming extinct.

Captivity- not in the wild, in zoos

Competition- a struggle

Ecosystem- all the living and non-living things in a given environment

 

 

Name:_________________________                                                   Teacher Sign off:________________________         

 

Find an animal that fits the following description write the name of the animal, its habitat, diet and an adaptation that allows the animal to survive in their natural environment.

Example: Find an animal that is yellow

Animal: giraffe

Habitat: African grasslands, tropical climate, low rainfall, dominant plant grasslands

Diet:  Leaves and twigs        

Adaptation: black tongue to prevent sunburn

 

1)      Find 2 animals that are considered predators & name their prey.

Animal:

Habitat:

Diet/Prey:

Adaptation:

 

Animal:

Habitat:

Diet/Prey:

Adaptation:

 

2)      Find an animal with their baby. Describe their interaction.

Animal:

Habitat:

Diet:

Adaptation:

Interaction with young:

 

3)      Find an animal known for its good eyesight.

Animal:

Habitat:

Diet:

Adaptation:

4)      Find an animal that is nocturnal.

Animal:

Habitat:

Diet:

Adaptation:

 

5)      Find an animal that travels in a herd or a pack.

Animal:

Habitat:

Diet:

Adaptation:

What are some advantages of traveling in a herd or pack?

 

6)      Find an animal that uses camouflage.

Animal:

Habitat:

Diet:

Adaptation:

 

7)      Find an animal that is a(n)

Herbivore

Animal:

Habitat:

Diet:

Adaptation:

 

Omnivore

Animal:

Habitat:

Diet:

Adaptation:

Carnivore

Animal:

Habitat:

Diet:

Adaptation:

8)      Find 4 animals that are on the endangered species list and explain why they are on this list

Animal:

Habitat:

Diet:

Adaptation:

Why are they on the list?

 

Animal:

Habitat:

Diet:

Adaptation:

Why are they on the list?

 

Animal:

Habitat:

Diet:

Adaptation:

Why are they on the list?

 

Animal:

Habitat:

Diet:

Adaptation:

Why are they on the list?

 

9)      Find an animal that was born in captivity (Must see posted sign)

Animal:

Habitat:

Diet:

Adaptation:


10) Find two animals that exist in the same ecosystem.

Animal:

Habitat:

Diet:

Adaptation:

 

Animal:

Habitat:

Diet:

Adaptation:

 

11) Find an example of competition for resources

Animals:

Habitat:

Diet:

Adaptation:

What resource might they compete over?

 

12) Find an animal that is lives alone in the wild.

Animal:

Habitat:

Diet:

Adaptation:

 

13) Find an unusual looking animal.

Animal:

Habitat:

Diet:

Adaptation:

Why do you consider it unusual?

 

 

14.) Summary: Explain how environment (habitat) can influence whether an adaptation is beneficial or not.  Use an example.

 

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